Benefits of Shatkarmas, If you’re practicing asanas but still feel blocked in your progress, you might need something beyond physical exercises. Internal cleansing is just as important as external fitness. When your internal organs function optimally, your energy flows effortlessly, allowing you to focus on deeper yogic practices.
Shatkarma, a set of yogic cleansing techniques, helps remove toxins, enhance physiological functions, and bring mental clarity. These kriyas are a crucial part of traditional Shatkarma yoga, preparing the body for higher spiritual pursuits. If you’re considering the 200 hour yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh, you will explore these powerful techniques in depth.
Let’s delve into what Shatkarma is, Benefits of Shatkarmas, and the six purification techniques that can transform your yoga journey.
What is Shatkarma? Benefits of Shatkarmas
Shatkarma refers to six purification techniques described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. These practices detoxify the body, improve organ function, and enhance overall well-being. When practiced correctly, they help balance the body’s internal energy, or Prana, making it easier to advance in yoga.
It’s essential to learn these kriyas under expert guidance at the Best Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, such as Gurukul Yogashala, to ensure safe and effective practice.
Health Benefits of Shatkarmas
Practicing Shatkarma kriyas regularly offers a range of benefits, including:
✅ Detoxification: Removes toxins from the body, improving organ function.
✅ Enhanced Digestion: Stimulates the digestive system and promotes gut health.
✅ Respiratory Health: Clears nasal passages and strengthens lung capacity.
✅ Mental Clarity: Improves focus, concentration, and reduces stress.
✅ Balanced Energy: Helps in maintaining the equilibrium of the body’s energy channels.
✅ Weight Management: Aids in metabolism and supports weight regulation.
✅ Preparation for Pranayama & Meditation: Cleanses the system for deeper breathing and meditation.
Now, let’s explore each Shatkarma kriya in detail.
Types of Shatkarma Kriyas
1. Dhauti Kriya (Alimentary Canal Cleansing)
Dhauti kriya is a deep cleansing technique that targets the digestive system. It is practiced in different ways:
- Antar Dhauti: Involves swallowing and extracting a soft cotton cloth to remove impurities from the stomach and throat.
- Varisara Dhauti: Involves drinking saline water and eliminating it through specific yogic postures.
- Danta Dhauti: Cleanses the teeth and gums for oral health.
- Vyaghra Dhauti: Helps in expelling undigested food by inducing vomiting, inspired by the way tigers cleanse their stomachs.
This kriya is extensively taught in the best yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh, where students practice it under expert supervision.
2. Basti Kriya (Colon Cleansing / Yogic Enema)
Basti Shatkarma is a powerful technique for detoxifying the large intestine. It involves two main methods:
- Jala Basti: Sitting submerged in water, drawing water into the rectum, and releasing it to cleanse the colon.
- Sthala Basti: Using air instead of water to purify the intestines.
This technique removes toxins, improves digestion, and strengthens the digestive tract. It is especially beneficial for individuals suffering from constipation and bloating.
3. Neti Kriya (Nasal Cleansing)
Neti kriya is highly effective in clearing nasal blockages and enhancing respiratory function. It has two main types:
- Jal Neti: Uses warm saline water and a Neti pot to flush out nasal passages.
- Sutra Neti: Involves passing a soft cotton thread through the nostrils and out through the throat to remove blockages.
Regular practice of Neti kriya enhances breathing efficiency, improves oxygen intake, and even helps in opening the Third Eye chakra.
4. Trataka (Eye Cleansing & Concentration Practice)
Trataka is a meditative practice that involves focused gazing. It helps in:
- Improving eyesight and eye health.
- Enhancing mental clarity and focus.
- Strengthening the nervous system.
Practitioners usually focus on a candle flame or a single point without blinking, which sharpens concentration and supports meditative states.
5. Nauli Kriya (Abdominal Massage & Core Strengthening)
Nauli kriya is an advanced technique that involves massaging the abdominal organs through rapid side-to-side movements. It has three variations:
- Central Nauli: Engages the middle abdominal muscles.
- Right & Left Nauli: Isolates the abdominal muscles on each side.
- Abdominal Churning: Moves the muscles in a circular motion to stimulate digestion.
This kriya enhances digestion, strengthens the core, and balances the internal organs.
6. Kapalbhati (Cleansing Breath Technique)
Kapalbhati is a unique kriya that also falls under Pranayama. It involves forceful exhalation and passive inhalation to remove stale air and toxins from the lungs.
Benefits of Kapalbhati:
✅ Improves respiratory health and lung capacity.
✅ Enhances mental clarity and focus.
✅ Supports weight loss by boosting metabolism.
✅ Reduces stress and anxiety, making meditation easier.
Regular practice of Kapalbhati is highly recommended for yoga practitioners at all levels.
Shatkarma and Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh
Shatkarma kriyas are an integral part of yoga education. If you want to master these cleansing techniques, enrolling in a 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh or a 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh is highly beneficial.
At Gurukul Yogashala, students receive step-by-step guidance on practicing Shatkarma safely and effectively. The 200 hour yoga teacher training course in Rishikesh covers these techniques in detail, along with asanas, Pranayama, and meditation.
Final Thoughts
Shatkarma kriyas play a crucial role in physical detoxification and mental purification. With regular practice, they enhance overall health, improve focus, and prepare the body for higher yogic practices.
If you’re looking to deepen your yoga journey, consider joining the Best Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh at Gurukul Yogashala. These ancient techniques, passed down by sages, can help you achieve inner balance and spiritual growth.
Cleanse your body, clear your mind, and elevate your yoga practice with Shatkarma!