Shuddhikriyas – Cleansing Process(SAT KARMA)
Yoga has considered internal purification of the human body in depth. The shuddhikriyas have been planned with a view to have total purification of the body before various samskaras are made thereon for preparing the body for practicing yoga. Baking the body in the fire named Yoga so a to make the body a tough. As it is done for earthen pot.
The organs which are constantly exposed to outside environment, where there can be a lot of impurities require these shuddhikriyas. The internal organs, which come into contact with the external matters regularly, need to be purified. The trachea regularly comes into contact with the external air, the food pipe comes into contact with the external food products, and the mind comes into contact with the thoughts of the external world; these and such other organs need to be purified internally, thus the need for shuddhikriyas. Certain ailments are cured with these kriyas. Ayurveda has described these shuddhikriyas by the name of Panchkarmas. However, these panchkarmas are done with the help of certain medicines and herbs. In the shuddhikriyas stated in Yoga, the emphasis is on the natural method. Many shuddhikriyas have been discribed in the Yoga texts. We will consider some of them in this syllabus. Direct study of these shuddhikriyas is expected over here.
While studying shuddhikriyas, one should consider the important difference in other yogic processes and the shuddhikriyas. Other yogic processes invariably form part of the daily activity of the human life, but these shuddhikriyas are not to be practised daily. In fact they are not meant as part of the daily routine. When it is necessary to purify the body, these kriyas may be practised daily, but when the need is over, the practice is stopped. It cannot generally be stated over here. when the need arises. It depends on each and every individual hence, the processes will be taught over here, but they are not to be practiced daily, but according to the duration which each individual may need. The duration may be different for each shuddhikriya. The detailed description of each shuddhikriya is given hereunder. But it is enough to remember that shuddhikriyas are not to be practised like asanas and pranayam in day-to-day life.
Yogic science gives as much importance to certain cleansing processes as it does to asanas or pranayama. Without regular cleansing of the system you will not gain maximum benefits from your practices. Without purification of the body one will not be ready for the higher practices of yoga. When the body is free the mind also functions properly.
Body cleansing is gained through the practice of shatkarmas or the six purificatory techniques. They are very important from the point of view of physical and mental health, and these simple techniques are also highly valuable in healing internal disorders.
There are six main groups of shatkarmas or yogic cleansers as follows:
- Neti: nasal cleansing, including jala neti and sutra neti
- Dhauti: cleansing of the digestive tract including danta dhauti, vatsara dhauti and so forth.
- Nauli: abdominal massage
- Basti: colon cleaning
- Kapalbhati: purification and vitalization of the frontal lobes
- Trataka: blinkless gazing
Each of these groups contains more than one practice such as jala neti, vaman dhauti (or kunjal kriya), moola shodhana etc., which will be described at various stages throughout this book’. They are all excellent practices which are designed to purify the whole body and bring about first class health. They also bring darity and harmony to the mind. We suggest you try some of them.
