Part of the 300 hours Yoga Teacher Training course
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| Beginning shankhaprakshalana... |
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Over the past four weeks, our 300 hour students have studied
Ayurveda, nature cure, and holistic health, and have also cultivated
increased body and self awareness. Additionally, they undertook
intensive investigation of the various cleansing techniques, the
shatkarmas and
kriyas,
as described in yogic literature. While some of us may turn a skeptical
eye towards claims such as heavy metal toxicity, it is undoubtedly true
that we all encounter some toxins in daily activities as a result of
industrialization and pollution. The body can remove some of this waste
on its own, but much of it remains in our systems, clogging and bogging
us down. Therefore, an entire module of our 300 hours YTT course is
devoted to learning and practicing a variety of cleansing techniques.
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| Fun with vamanadhauti, for Stefano at least |
Beginning with review of the techniques learned in the 200 hours course, such as
jalaneti and
karnrandhradhauti,
they continued with theoretical exploration of further techniques,
sagely espoused by our visiting teacher from Indonesia, Stefano
Notarbartolo. He also shared his practice of
nauli, kapalabhati, and other abdominal and breathing techniques, which were to prove instrumental in the coming days. With this strong theoretical foundation provided by the
Gheranda Samhita and
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the students progressed to practice of
sutraneti,
vamanadhauti, and even
shankhaprakshalana.
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| Catheters for sutraneti |
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| Trying to find the sutra |
Each of these techniques aims to cleanse the internal
body of mucus, filth, and other contaminants collected during daily
life. Coming from a Western society in which, for example, the nose is
only blown when one is ill, these practices proved surprisingly
beneficial for day to day activities. Even the basic practice of
jalaneti,
or nasal water cleansing, clears and opens the nasal passages
remarkably and with little effort. With this potential in mind, our
students dove into the new practices, beginning with
sutraneti -- nasal cleansing with string/catheter. As shown above, a sterile rubber catheter was used for this practice. The
sensations experienced while inserting this into the nostril, passing
it through the nasopharynx, and out the mouth are interesting to say the
least, and certainly an exercise in patience and acceptance.
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| Sutra successfully inserted! Time to floss |
Also valuable from this is the direct experience of
anitya -- impermance -- with the knowledge that the sensations, while somewhat strange, were only temporary.
Sutraneti proved even more powerful in mucus elimination than
jalaneti, and breath flowed smoothly and easily afterwards, lighting up each student's face.
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| Glug..glug...glug... while Stefano demonstrates nauli |
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| Stefano chugs his 1.5L very salty water... |
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| Smiling as they oversee the purging students |
Vamanadhauti,
cleansing of the stomach and esophagus, was the next technique explored which, in addition to
further new sensations, involves the consumption of a large quantity of
saline water in order to cleanse the stomach and upper gastroesophageal
tract. Theoretical investigation of the process as well as
uddhyana bandha and
nauli techniques were practiced, which facilitated the cleansing experience.
After
becoming aware of the body during morning meditation, and on an empty
stomach, 1-2 L of saline water is rapidly imbibed to fill the stomach
completely. The urge to purge naturally arises, and vomiting of the
saline-mucus mixture soon commences (aided by
nauli and/or manual stimulation).
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| Success! |
This is actually a fairly pleasant form of vomiting,
as one is doing so consciously and not involuntarily due to food
poisoning or other illness. Students reported feeling lighter, cleaner,
brighter, and more energetic afterwards, though for some it may be a
physically tiring practice.
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| Stefano provides close supervision throughout. |
Shankhaprakshalana, the full intestinal wash or master cleanse, was investigated over several sessions, as were the less intense variations of
lahgoo shankhaprakshalana (short
intestinal wash or partial cleanse) and TTK solution (brief intestinal
cleanse). Once more after meditation and on empty stomachs, students
consumed saltwater -- though in smaller quantity and of lesser salinity
than for
vamanadhauti. A routine of five specific
asanas
was then performed, followed by further saltwater intake. This routine
was repeated several times in order to flush and squeeze the saltwater
throughout the entire digestive tract, fully cleansing every surface of
mucus and contaminants. After several rounds of saline-
asanas-saline,
students attempt to void their bowels of the accumulated fluid by
gradually building up internal pressure until evacuation was achieved.
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| Close tally is kept to track each student's progress |
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| Twisting, squeezing, and compressing the abdomen |
Timing varies depending on individual physiology,
health, and mental/emotional state, ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours for our
students, but eventually the water will be passed through the body,
ferrying toxins and refuse out and leaving it fresh and new, having shed
its old and sullied protective mucosal lining. Thus, physical rest
along with specific dietary limitations must be observed after
performing
shankhaprakshalana in order to allow the digestive tract to regenerate a new lining and resume normal function.
The staple food for the first few days after completion if
khichri, a mushy porridge-type mixture of moong dal and rice mixed with a small quantity of turmeric and a generous helping of
ghee
(clarified butter). This dish is a classic in Indian cuisine, and is
said by Swami Shivananda to be the only meal recommended by yogis due to
its simplicity and completeness. It offers a balanced combination of
easily digestible carbohydrate, protein, and fat from
sattivic ingredient,
which makes it agreeable and acceptable to the developing digestive
system, though it is typically prepared in daily life with other spices
and vegetables for a more bountiful dish. Additionally, the
ghee aids the digestive tract by providing a temporary protective lining while the body regenerates.
"Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." -- Hippocrates
After consumption solely of
khichri,
the diet is gradually transitioned to include other foods, beginning
with boiled vegetables and thin soups. Day by day this is expanded to
include soft vegetables and dals, and eventually raw fruits and
vegetables as the lining strengthens. Careful observation of the body,
including physical and mental conditions, energy levels, and digestive
habits are maintained throughout to assess the condition and health of
the body. After approximately one month, regular diet may be resumed
though with continued awareness and observance of dietary and digestive
habits.
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| Freshly prepared khichri. Bon appetite! |
Students also investigated
theory behind numerous other cleansing techniques, though actual
practice is reserved for later studies. However, the techniques
practiced and performed during the 300 hours YTT course here have proved
immensely beneficial to the health of each student, with reports of
increased body awareness, lightness, digestive function, purity, and
heightened sense perceptions. With proper instruction and guidance,
these techniques can all be performed safely and beneficially by nearly
anyone at any time, though
shankhaprakshalana just once per year.
If you would like to learn more about these techniques or about our
300 hours Yoga Teacher Training program, please visit our
website or the
WLYA Facebook page for further details. May you all be happy, well, peaceful, and skillful. Namaste!
