In yoga, the form of our digestive system is seen as a conch (Shankha) which has an extended spiral tunnel-like gut, and prakshalana in Sanskrit known as cleaning. Shankhaprakshalana is a yogic cleaning strategy of the digestive system together with the entire gastrointestinal tract (mouth to the anus).
In distinction to different yogic cleaning methods the place an individual drinks sufficient water after which vomit it out, In Shankhaprakshalana consuming lukewarm saline water is adopted by a exact sequence of asanas. This sequence of asanas significantly known as Shankhaprakshalana asanas.
The normal title used for this observe is varisara dhauti. In Sanskrit, “vari” means “water”, “Sara” refers to “essence”, and “dhauti” means “cleaning”.
In response to Gheranda Samhita, the observe gives a luminous physique by eliminating toxins from the physique.
Shatkarma: Yoga Kriyas for Purification and Their Advantages
Main Objective
The foremost objective of shankha prakshalana is to advertise bowel motion naturally with none treatment and unwanted side effects.
It additionally serves as an important a part of an ayurvedic method generally known as Kaya kalpa. It may be understood as bodily transformation, as “kaya” means physique and “kalpa” is a time period for transformation.
Subsequently, shankha prakshalana is greater than a purification method. It’s a holistic strategy to get rid of impurities selling bodily and psychological well being.
Mechanism of Shankhaprakshalana
Shankhaprakshalana begins with an consumption of 250 ml of lukewarm saline water adopted by performing the actual set of asanas respectively. It contains tadasana, tiryakatadasana, katichakrasana, tiryaka bhujangasana, and eventually udarakarshan.
Every asana have to be carried out eight occasions in an effort to full one spherical. The practitioner has to carry out full 5-6 rounds as per the method’s requirement.
The completion of the method takes roughly one to 1 and a half hour.
Causes to make use of lukewarm salty water
The temperature of water used on this observe is saved 38-40°, i.e. lukewarm. It is because of the truth that it promotes the motion of stagnant stool with mucous and causes frequent elimination.
The salt utilized in lukewarm water prevents the fast absorption of water into the gut. It will definitely facilitates the motion of water easily into the intestinal tract to be evacuated by the anus.
The mixed impact of lukewarm saline water with asanas
After having two glasses of water earlier than every spherical of the asanas, the water strikes from the abdomen, small gut, to the big gut. This results in the eventual removing of poisons and water from the anus.
1. Promotes peristalsis
On this shankha prakshalana, the gastrointestinal tract all the way in which from mouth to anus is washed. It catalyzes the additional motion of foodstuff, thereby selling peristalsis. This results in enhanced bowel motion.
2. Decreases ldl cholesterol stage by way of bile removing
Resulting from peristalsis, the chyme from the abdomen reaches the small gut. Because it enters the duodenum, it combines with bile juice. Because the bowel motion has been enhanced, the combination is eliminated simply. This reduces the focus of bile.
Ldl cholesterol acts as main element in bile secretion. Subsequently, ldl cholesterol is consumed extra typically to supply bile and results in decreased ldl cholesterol stage.
3. Elevated hemoglobin
Mucus acts a barrier within the absorption of ferrous ion. It reduces the focus of iron within the physique and acts as ferritin curtain. Nevertheless, shankh prakshalana eliminates mucus and will increase the absorption of ferrous ion.
It maintains the iron focus within the physique, thereby rising the hemoglobin stage.
4. Prompts parasympathetic dominance
The clearance of gastrointestinal tract renews and rejuvenates the inner organs. This results in hormonal stability to take care of homeostasis.
This hormonal stability results in a relaxed frame of mind, inducing parasympathetic dominance.
The interior cleaning brings enchancment in bodily well being. It creates an atmosphere for higher psychological well being, thereby offering soothing results on psychophysiological phrases.
Shankhaprakshalana Asanas
It entails 5 asanas in following order as described beneath:
1. Tadasana
- Stand separating the ft 15-18 inches.
- Convey your arms ahead to the shoulder stage and interlock the fingers.
- Prolong them overhead with palms in the direction of the ceiling.
- Carry the heels and stretch the physique upwards so far as attainable.
- Then launch bringing the heels and arms down.
Tadasana opens the pyloric sphincter muscle that serves as a valve of the abdomen opening to the small gut. It streams the saline water into the small gut together with chyme.
2. Tiryakatadasana
- Stand in tadasana with heels on the ground.
- Stretch upward and flex the waist in the direction of left, be there for some time.
- Come again to the middle and chill out.
- Then bend in the direction of the appropriate and maintain the pose.
- Once more return to the middle.
The bending concerned within the asana contracts either side of the coiled intestinal wall repeatedly. Thus, the water strikes easily by the intestinal layer.
3. Katichakrasana
- Stand separating the legs 16-18 inches.
- Open the arms sideways to shoulder stage with dealing with the ground.
- Rotate the higher physique by the waist to the left.
- Convey your proper hand across the physique to be positioned on the left shoulder bending the appropriate elbow.
- Flexing the left elbow wrap the left arm across the twisted again in the direction of the appropriate putting the hand on the waist.
- Lastly, flip the neck in the direction of the left twisting the complete physique to the left.
- Launch and repeat on the opposite facet.
The twisting concerned within the asana exerts stress into the intestinal muscle groups. It causes the stream of water downwards.
4. Tirayaka bhujangasana
- Lie down in a susceptible place.
- Increase your head to carry chin to the ground.
- Convey your arms beside the chest and curl the toes to the ground.
- Urgent the palms to the bottom raise the chin, chest, and stomach.
- Bend your proper elbow and switch to take a look at your left heel, retaining the left arm straight.
- Come again to the middle after which chill out on the ground.
- Repeat the identical on the appropriate facet.
This asana opens the ileocecal sphincter muscle and saline water reaches the big gut. Thereby, clearing the complete pathway until right here.
5. Udarakarshan
- Hold the ft hip-width aside.
- Sit bending the knee with soles on the bottom.
- Hold your arms on knees.
- Push the appropriate knee with the hand to carry it close to the left foot.
- Now, push the left knee in the direction of the appropriate.
- Shrinking the decrease stomach, flip to look in the direction of the left shoulder.
- Be there for 5-10 breaths, inhale and are available again to sitting pose.
- Exhale and repeat it pushing the left knee to the appropriate foot.
This final pose is useful in squeezing the big gut, stimulating, and stretching the digestive organs. It creates contraction and leisure within the alimentary canal.
Lastly, the stagnant stool and mucous is eradicated because the bowel motion is evacuated from the gastrointestinal tract. No traces of residual particles or saline water stays within the alimentary canal.
Shankhaprakshalana Process
The method of Shankhaprakshalana might be categorised into 3 components;
1. Pre-procedure – Salt Water Preparation
The lukewarm water is used to arrange the saline resolution. The ratio of salt to the water stays 2 teaspoons salt in 1 liter of water. Put together an sufficient quantity of saline resolution, because it consumes about 16 glasses of water.
Additionally, put together a particular meal for post-procedure. This particular meal is khichdi of rice and moong dal cooked collectively. Add turmeric and get rid of salt addition. Prepare dinner it utilizing ghee on the finish to arrange a semi-liquid meal.
Select a spot like a backyard or a terrace the place you might be involved with recent air to carry out shankha prakshalana. Guarantee there may be an approachable bathroom close by.
Morning hours are preferable for this observe round 6-7 am.
2. Cleaning process – Bowel Motion
Start with consuming 2 glasses of saline water and instantly carry out the above-mentioned set of 5 asanas, 8 occasions every to finish the primary spherical. Drink one other 2 glasses repeating all of the asana, 8 occasions every.
Repeat it a 3rd time after which go to the bathroom to examine whether or not there may be any bowel motion or not. Be there for 1-2 minutes and don’t exert stress externally.
Come again to repeating the process of consuming water and resume the asanas. It’s adopted by once more visiting the bathroom. Proceed the method for about 6 rounds.
Virtually after third around the evacuation course of begins. The primary time is accompanied by stable stool, adopted by a mix of stool and water. The focus of stool decreases progressively and eventually clear water will cross out of the anus.
3. Publish-Process – Eat & Loosen up
After the evacuation of clear water, cease the method and lie down in shavasana. Loosen up the physique for 45 minutes sustaining full silence.
Following the resting interval of 45 minutes, eat the khichdi on time. Eat a adequate quantity to refine the gut to renew peristalsis. Relaxation after having the primary meal, however keep away from sleeping for 3 hours. Repeat the meal after about 6 hours of the primary meal.
Keep away from any bodily and psychological exercise for the entire day and maintain resting the next day as effectively. Don’t repeat this system greater than twice a yr.
Period – The method of shankha prakshalana have to be accomplished in a day as described above.
Alternatively, newbies can carry out it by following the method consecutively for six days. Have the primary spherical of saltwater and asanas on the primary day, adopted by evacuating bowels. On every passing day maintain rising one spherical to finish the course in 6 days.
2 Forms of Shankhaprakshalasna
Primarily based on the amount of saline water, Shankha prakshalasna is 2 sorts;
1. Laghu shankha prakshalana
Laghu means much less or brief. Right here laghu referred to the amount of saline water and the proportion it cleanses. In Laghu shankha prakshalana, most of 6-8 cups of water are taken solely after which asanas are carried out for bowel movemnt.
It is a shorter method for cleaning the alimentary canal. For this additionally lukewarm salty water is ready.
- Start with consuming 2 glasses of ready resolution.
- Carry out the 5 asanas as that of shankha prakshalana respectively, eight occasions every.
- Drink 2 glasses of saline water and repeat the asanas eight occasions every.
- Repeat it yet one more time after which go to the bathroom.
- Test whether or not the bowel motion has been initiated or not with out pressurizing externally.
- If it has not been began it can ultimately come on later.
This observe takes one hour. It is very important take relaxation put up observe for half an hour earlier than having any meals or drink.
2. Poorna Shankaprakshalana
Poorna means full or full. In Poorna Shankaprakshalana, one retains consuming water and performing 5 asanas again to again till the water popping out anus is as clear because the water stepping into.
Therapeutic Purposes
- Shankha prakshalana cures constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, or any digestive dysfunction.
- It’s useful in relieving stomach ache and irritation.
- This observe is useful in treating diabetes.
- This system is used to forestall allergic reactions like hay fever.
- It acts as a treatment to remedy pores and skin issues like zits, neurodermatitis, or psoriasis.
- It additionally relieves anxiousness by soothing the nervous system.
Contraindications
- Keep away from the observe if in case you have hypertension or any coronary heart illness.
- Folks with weak kidneys should chorus from the observe.
- Don’t observe shankha prakshalana throughout being pregnant.
- When you have a gastrointestinal ulcer, this observe have to be prevented.
- In case of again ache keep away from this pactice.
- When you have a latest surgical procedure, then it’s strictly prohibited to carry out shankha prakshalana.
Precautions
- Cease the observe instantly as soon as the removing of clear water initiates.
- Don’t go to sleep whereas resting in Shavasana.
- Keep away from consumption of any fluids for not less than 2 hours after the meal.
- Keep away from any chemically ready, spicy, or non-veg meals for one month after the observe.
- Prohibit the consumption of pickle, dairy merchandise, sweets, or acidic fruits.
- Consumption of cigarette, alcohol, or any medication have to be prohibited for a month.
- Hold the physique heat to forestall any unwanted side effects like headache, chilly, or nausea.
Shankha Prakshalana Advantages
- It cleanses the physique internally, clearing the toxins from the alimentary canal.
- This system tones the inner organs just like the liver, kidney, digestive organs, and glands.
- It’s helpful within the purification of blood by the discount of extreme mucus.
- It maintains the metabolism and strengthens the immune system.
- It rejuvenates the physique bodily in addition to mentally.
- It decreases urge for food and helps burn additional energy. Subsequently it tones the physique and reduces physique weight.
- It additionally raises the power stage by stimulating the prana stream aligning the physique chakras.