Cleansing
The ancient yogis, thousands of years ago, observed nature's various purification processes.
Kriya means activity or process – the activity or work aimed towards purifying the body in order to make the mind calm. Hatha yoga describes the six purification methods as follows: Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka, Nauli and Kapalabhati.
Those having an excess of fat or phlegm must practice the six purification processes first.
There are three elements in the body. Kapha 'mucus', pitta 'bile' and vata 'wind'. In Yoga and Ayurveda they are called Tridosha. A balanced proportion of these three elements are an indication that a person is healthy. When there is an imbalance, ailments develop due to overheating or lack of adequate heating in the body.
a) Nostril Cleansing
Head, Nose and air passages - Neti, Kapalabhati
Benefits
- The whole of naso-pharyngeal mucous membrane gets gently stimulated without the irritation of the olfactory area.
- The naso-pharyngeal mucous membrane is stimulated and the sensations can be perceived by the subject leading to heightened awareness of this region.
b) Stomach Cleansing
- Esophagus and stomach - Dhauti
- Intestines - Nauli.
Benefits
- The main aim is to open the channels of pranic activity
- As a result of performing stomach cleansing diseases of spleen and skin diseases caused by excess of phlegm will get cured.
- Internal Cleansing for Liver & Gallbladder: Helps cleanse stagnant waste from liver and gallbladder, helps improve liver functioning and bile flow helps purify the blood and lymph, and helps rejuvenate the whole body.
c) Colon Cleansing
Basti, Sankha Praksalana
Benefits
- It makes the body and mind fresh
- As it removes the waste materials from the body, most of the disorders are rectified and it keeps one clean and healthy and also provides the feeling of lightness.
- Cleanses and rejuvenates the colon, enhancing elimination of wastes & nerve function. Necessary for the healthy maintenance of the gastrointestinal tract.
Initially kriyas work on and through the intellect and will-power of the person, i. e. higher brain centers and afterwards it works on the physical level.