What Is Shankhaprakshalana in Yoga?
Hatha yoga is a holistic cleansing process that helps to promote health by removing impurities from the body. Hatha yoga works on the principle of maintaining a balance between the body’s organs and functions; any imbalance may result in restlessness. The process involves six groups called Shat Karma. The six groups include Neti (nose cleansing), Kunjal Kriya (stomach cleansing), Agnisar and Nauli (stomach exercises to stimulate digestion), Kapalabhati (lung cleansing), Tratak (eyes cleansing), and Shankhaprakshalana (intestinal cleansing). Shankhaprakshalana is a cleansing procedure for the intestine.
The word shankhaprakshalana comes from Sanskrit and includes two words: shankha means conch(describes long folded tunnel-like intestine), and prakshalana, which means cleansing. It is also referred to as Varisara Dhauti. Unlike other cleansing procedures, shankhaprakshalana cleanses the whole gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus by drinking lukewarm salt water and doing asanas. It plays a major role in ayurvedic techniques such as Kaya Kalpa (Kaya – body and Kalpa - transformation). This technique is also written about in Gheranda Samhita’s text.
How Does Shankhaprakshalana Work?
Generally, waste products accumulate in the intestinal fold, create tension around the stocked waste products, and cause intestinal problems. This technique also enhances the senses of taste and vision. When the intestine is cleansed, it can reduce tension around it, release energy, and make the body healthy.
What Are the Types of Shankhaprakshalana?
There are two types of shankhaprakshalana:
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Laghu Shankhaprakshalana.
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Dirga Shankhaprakshalana.
Laghu Shankhaprakshalana: This technique involves a short cleansing procedure. In this technique, drink 6 – 8 cups of lukewarm salt water and practice asanas. Later, go to the toilet and check for bowel movement initiation. Beginners always begin with Laghu shankhaprakshalana then opt for Dirga shankhaprakshalana.
Dirga Shankhaprakshalana: It refers to the master cleansing technique of drinking lukewarm salt water and then practicing asanas till clean water has come out of the anus. Initially, the stool comes out, then colored water and clear water come from the anus.
How to Do Shankhaprakshalana?
The sequence of steps involved in the Shankhaprakshalana technique includes:
Lukewarm Salt Water Preparation: Add 2 teaspoons of sea salt to 1 liter of lukewarm water and prepare accordingly for 6–7 liters of water as needed.
Preparation of Space: The space chosen for practice should be well-ventilated and easily accessible to a toilet.
Procedure for Shankhaprakshalana Asanas:
The practice is mostly done in the morning, preferably between 6 and 7 a.m.
The practice should begin with drinking two glasses of lukewarm salt water and then doing the following asanas in the same order as described below:
1. Tadasana, or the Palm Pose: It helps to move the water toward the small intestine from the stomach by opening the pyloric sphincter valves.
The steps to follow:
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Stand with eyes closed, stretch the arms over the head, and interlock the fingers with the palm facing upward.
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Inhale, lift the heels, and stretch the body to its maximum extent by facing the palms.
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Exhale and down the heels and hands.
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Repeat thrice.
2. Tiryakatadasana, or the Tree in the Wind: It helps to contract the intestinal wall by making the water move freely over the intestine.
The steps to follow:
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Stand in Tadasana position with soles down on the floor.
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Move the waist towards the left and then to the center.
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Move to the right, and then relax again in the center.
- Repeat eight times on each side.
3. Katichakrasana, or Waist Twist: It helps to move water downward by creating intestinal muscle pressure.
The steps to follow are:
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Stand with widened legs and lift the arms to shoulder level with palms facing the floor.
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Move the waist toward the left to a maximum limit and then swing toward the right with left-hand touches on the right shoulder and the right-hand touching the waist of the left side.
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Repeat the same process eight times on each side.
4.Tirayaka Bhujangasana or the Twisted Cobra: It helps to clear the whole pathway by opening the ileocecal sphincter and reaching the large intestine.
The steps to follow:
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Lie on the stomach by keeping the legs wide apart
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Lift the upper body by pressing the palms against the floor.
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Turn the head toward the left to look over the left shoulder and at the right heel by bending the left elbow.
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Repeat the same process eight times on each side.
5.Udarakarshan or Abdominal Massage: It helps to press the large intestine and stimulate the digestive system by creating contraction and relaxation in the alimentary canal.
The steps to follow:
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Sit squat with hands on the knees and a straight upper body and head.
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Lower the right knee toward the left foot and look toward the right shoulder.
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Take 5–10 breaths, inhale, and return to the sitting position.
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Exhale and repeat the same process on the other side.
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Repeat it eight times on each side.
Technique for Shankhaprakshalana:
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Drink two glasses of water and do all five of the asanas above. Repeat the process until the fifth time, go to the toilet, and do Ashvini Mudra, which helps stimulate anal muscles through contraction and relaxation.
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Do it again until no stools are coming out. The process is complete only when clear water comes from the anus.
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Relax for at least 1 hour in the Shavasana pose and try not to fall asleep as it may cause a cold or headache.
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After taking the rest and having khichdi as the first meal on time, again the meal six hours after the first meal.
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This technique should be done at most twice a year.
What Are the Benefits of Shankhaprakshalana?
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Improves Digestion: Shankhaprakshalana helps to improve digestive functions by removing impurities from the body as an act of detoxification.
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Cure Digestive Problems: It helps to cure all digestive problems like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, indigestion, and acidity by its cleansing action on the whole gastrointestinal tract.
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Maintains Body Weight: It also helps to burn extra calories, especially in diabetics, and also reduces the appetite.
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Boosts the Immune System: It also enhances immunity by removing toxins from the digestive tract.
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Purifies the Blood: It reduces the excess mucus, thereby purifying blood.
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Promotes Overall Health: It makes you feel more energetic by making the breath flow across the body’s chakras and also promotes overall well-being.
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Treats Skin Diseases: Master cleansing rejuvenates the skin, treats skin diseases like acne, psoriasis, and eliminates allergies.
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Reduces Anxiety: It helps reduce anxiety by calming the nervous system.
Conclusion:
Shankhaprakshalana is a yogic cleansing technique that promotes overall health by its cleansing action on the whole gastrointestinal tract. This technique should not be done more than twice a year. This detoxification technique can be done naturally without any side effects under the proper guidance.
