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 is 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 notably known as Shankhaprakshalana asanas.
The normal title used for this apply is varisara dhauti. In Sanskrit, “vari” means “water”, “Sara” refers to “essence”, and “dhauti” means “cleaning”.
Based on Gheranda Samhita, the apply supplies a luminous physique by eliminating toxins from the physique.
Shatkarma: Yoga Kriyas for Purification and Their Advantages
Main Goal
The main objective of shankha prakshalana is to advertise bowel motion naturally with none medicine and unintended effects.
It additionally serves as an important a part of an ayurvedic approach often known as Kaya kalpa. It may be understood as bodily transformation, as “kaya” means physique and “kalpa” is a time period for transformation.
Due to this fact, shankha prakshalana is greater than a purification approach. It’s a holistic strategy to eradicate 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 at last udarakarshan.
Every asana have to be carried out eight instances so as to full one spherical. The practitioner has to carry out full 5-6 rounds as per the approach’s requirement.
The completion of the approach takes roughly one to 1 and a half hour.
Causes to make use of lukewarm salty water
The temperature of water used on this apply is stored 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 speedy 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 massive 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 best way 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
Because of 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. Due to this fact, ldl cholesterol is consumed extra usually to supply bile and results in lowered 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 steadiness to take care of homeostasis.
This hormonal steadiness results in a relaxed mind-set, inducing parasympathetic dominance.
The inner 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.
- Deliver your arms ahead to the shoulder stage and interlock the fingers.
- Prolong them overhead with palms in the direction of the ceiling.
- Raise the heels and stretch the physique upwards so far as potential.
- Then launch bringing the heels and palms 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 calm down.
- Then bend in the direction of the correct 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.
- Deliver your proper hand across the physique to be positioned on the left shoulder bending the correct elbow.
- Flexing the left elbow wrap the left arm across the twisted again in the direction of the correct putting the hand on the waist.
- Lastly, flip the neck in the direction of the left twisting all the physique to the left.
- Launch and repeat on the opposite aspect.
The twisting concerned within the asana exerts stress into the intestinal muscle tissue. It causes the move of water downwards.
4. Tirayaka bhujangasana
- Lie down in a susceptible place.
- Elevate your head to carry chin to the ground.
- Deliver your palms beside the chest and curl the toes to the ground.
- Urgent the palms to the bottom carry the chin, chest, and stomach.
- Bend your proper elbow and switch to have a look at your left heel, maintaining the left arm straight.
- Come again to the middle after which calm down on the ground.
- Repeat the identical on the correct aspect.
This asana opens the ileocecal sphincter muscle and saline water reaches the massive gut. Thereby, clearing all the pathway until right here.
5. Udarakarshan
- Maintain the ft hip-width aside.
- Sit bending the knee with soles on the bottom.
- Maintain your palms on knees.
- Push the correct knee with the hand to carry it close to the left foot.
- Now, push the left knee in the direction of the correct.
- 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 correct foot.
This final pose is useful in squeezing the massive gut, stimulating, and stretching the digestive organs. It creates contraction and rest 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 will be categorised into 3 elements;
1. Pre-procedure – Salt Water Preparation
The lukewarm water is used to arrange the saline answer. The ratio of salt to the water stays 2 teaspoons salt in 1 liter of water. Put together an enough quantity of saline answer, 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 eradicate salt addition. Cook 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 contemporary air to carry out shankha prakshalana. Guarantee there’s an approachable bathroom close by.
Morning hours are preferable for this apply 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 instances every to finish the primary spherical. Drink one other 2 glasses repeating all of the asana, 8 instances every.
Repeat it a 3rd time after which go to the bathroom to test whether or not there’s 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 strong stool, adopted by a combination of stool and water. The focus of stool decreases progressively and at last clear water will move out of the anus.
3. Submit-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 hold resting the next day as effectively. Don’t repeat this system greater than twice a 12 months.
Length – The method of shankha prakshalana have to be accomplished in a day as described above.
Alternatively, freshmen 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 hold rising one spherical to finish the course in 6 days.
2 Forms of Shankhaprakshalasna
Based mostly on the amount of saline water, Shankha prakshalasna is 2 varieties;
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 approach for cleaning the alimentary canal. For this additionally lukewarm salty water is ready.
- Start with consuming 2 glasses of ready answer.
- Carry out the 5 asanas as that of shankha prakshalana respectively, eight instances every.
- Drink 2 glasses of saline water and repeat the asanas eight instances every.
- Repeat it another time after which go to the bathroom.
- Examine whether or not the bowel motion has been initiated or not with out pressurizing externally.
- If it has not been began it should finally come on later.
This apply takes one hour. It is very important take relaxation submit apply 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 getting into.
Therapeutic Functions
- Shankha prakshalana cures constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, or any digestive dysfunction.
- It’s useful in relieving belly ache and irritation.
- This apply is useful in treating diabetes.
- This system is used to forestall allergic reactions like hay fever.
- It acts as a treatment to treatment pores and skin issues like pimples, neurodermatitis, or psoriasis.
- It additionally relieves anxiousness by soothing the nervous system.
Contraindications
- Keep away from the apply in case you have hypertension or any coronary heart illness.
- Folks with weak kidneys should chorus from the apply.
- Don’t apply shankha prakshalana throughout being pregnant.
- In case you have a gastrointestinal ulcer, this apply have to be prevented.
- In case of again ache keep away from this pactice.
- In case you have a current surgical procedure, then it’s strictly prohibited to carry out shankha prakshalana.
Precautions
- Cease the apply 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 apply.
- 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.
- Maintain the physique heat to forestall any unintended 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 further energy. Due to this fact it tones the physique and reduces physique weight.
- It additionally raises the power stage by stimulating the prana move aligning the physique chakras.
