Shankha Prakshalana is a yogic cleaning kriya the place lukewarm salt water is drunk in levels, adopted by a set of 5 asanas to flush all the digestive tract from the abdomen to the anus. It’s also often called Varisara Dhauti in classical Hatha Yoga texts.
Yoga describes the digestive system as formed like a shankha (conch) due to its lengthy, spiral-like intestines. The phrase Prakshalana means “cleaning”.
So, Shankha Prakshalana refers to cleaning the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus utilizing heat saline water and motion.
Not like different cleaning strategies the place water is vomited out, this kriya permits the water to move naturally by the intestines. You drink heat salt water in small rounds after which carry out a sequence of 5 actions referred to as Shankha Prakshalana asanas. These asanas assist information the water by the digestive pathway.
The classical title, Varisara Dhauti, is manufactured from three Sanskrit phrases:
The Gheranda Samhita describes Varisara Dhauti as a follow that removes toxins and brings readability and lightness to the physique.
Shatkarma: Yoga Kriyas for Purification and Their Advantages
What Shankha Prakshalana does
The principle function of Shankha Prakshalana is to stimulate pure bowel motion with out the usage of medicines or harsh purgatives.
It helps the bowels clear easily through the use of heat salt water and delicate motion, decreasing the probabilities of unwanted effects.
This kriya can be an essential a part of the Ayurvedic rejuvenation technique often called Kaya Kalpa.
Right here, kaya means physique and kalpa means transformation. So, the follow is seen as a approach to bodily renew and cleanse the physique from inside.
On this manner, Shankha Prakshalana just isn’t solely a cleaning approach.
It’s a holistic follow that removes inner impurities and helps each bodily and psychological wellbeing.
Mechanism of Shankha Prakshalana
Shankha Prakshalana begins by ingesting about 250 ml of lukewarm saline water, adopted by a selected sequence of 5 asanas:
- Tadasana
- Tiryaka Tadasana
- Katichakrasana
- Tiryaka Bhujangasana
- Udarakarshan
Every posture is finished eight instances to finish one full spherical. A practitioner normally performs 5–6 rounds, and the entire follow takes about one to 1 and a half hour
Why heat salt water is used
The water is saved at 38–40°C, which is gently heat. This temperature helps loosen outdated stool and mucus, making it simpler for the bowels to launch.
Salt is added in order that the water doesn’t get absorbed too shortly into the bloodstream.
This permits the water to remain contained in the digestive tract and transfer by it easily till it exits by the anus.
How heat salt water works with the asanas
After ingesting two glasses of water, you carry out one spherical of the 5 asanas.
This motion helps information the water from:
- the abdomen,
- into the small gut,
- by the giant gut,
- and eventually out of the physique.
This course of washes away toxins, outdated waste, and mucus, leaving the digestive tract clear.
Physiological results of Shankha Prakshalana
1. Promotes Peristalsis: The kriya washes all the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus.
This stimulates pure peristalsis – the wave-like motion of the intestines which improves bowel motion and helps wholesome digestion.
2. Helps Cut back Ldl cholesterol (through Bile Removing): When peristalsis will increase, meals passes shortly from the abdomen into the small gut. Right here it mixes with bile. As a result of the bowel motion is extra energetic, bile can be eliminated extra simply. Since ldl cholesterol is used to supply bile, the physique makes use of extra ldl cholesterol when bile is emptied frequently. This may occasionally assist decrease levels of cholesterol naturally.
3. Improves Iron Absorption (Will increase Haemoglobin): A thick layer of mucus within the intestines can block the absorption of iron. Shankha Prakshalana helps take away extra mucus, permitting the physique to soak up iron extra successfully. Higher iron absorption helps wholesome haemoglobin ranges, bettering general vitality.
4. Prompts the Parasympathetic Nervous System: Cleaning the digestive tract refreshes the interior organs and helps hormonal steadiness. When the physique returns to steadiness, it naturally shifts into a relaxed, relaxed state, often called parasympathetic dominance.
This results in:
- a way of general renewal
- a quieter thoughts
- higher digestion
- diminished stress
Shankha Prakshalana asanas (sequence of 5)
It includes 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.
- Carry the heels and stretch the physique upwards so far as doable.
- Then launch bringing the heels and fingers 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 loosen up.
- Then bend in the direction of the precise 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 precise elbow.
- Flexing the left elbow wrap the left arm across the twisted again in the direction of the precise inserting 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 facet.
The twisting concerned within the asana exerts stress into the intestinal muscle tissue. It causes the movement of water downwards.
4. Tirayaka bhujangasana
- Lie down in a inclined place.
- Increase your head to deliver chin to the ground.
- Deliver your fingers 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 take a look at your left heel, maintaining the left arm straight.
- Come again to the middle after which loosen up on the ground.
- Repeat the identical on the precise facet.
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 fingers on knees.
- Push the precise knee with the hand to deliver it close to the left foot.
- Now, push the left knee in the direction of the precise.
- 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 precise foot.
This final pose is useful in squeezing the massive gut, stimulating, and stretching the digestive organs. It creates contraction and leisure 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.
Shankha Prakshalana step-by-step (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 resolution. The ratio of salt to the water stays 2 teaspoons salt in 1 liter of water. Put together an enough quantity of saline resolution, 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 get rid of salt addition. Prepare 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’re in touch with contemporary air to carry out shankha prakshalana. Guarantee there may be an approachable rest room close by.
Morning hours are preferable for this follow round 6-7 am.
2. Cleaning process – bowel motion
Start with ingesting 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 examine whether or not there may be any bowel motion or not. Be there for 1-2 minutes and don’t exert stress externally.
Come again to repeating the process of ingesting 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 stable stool, adopted by a mix of stool and water. The focus of stool decreases progressively and eventually clear water will move out of the anus.
3. Submit-procedure – eat & loosen up
After the evacuation of clear water, cease the method and lie down in shavasana. Chill out the physique for 45 minutes sustaining full silence.
Following the resting interval of 45 minutes, eat the khichdi on time. Eat a enough 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 preserve resting the next day as effectively. Don’t repeat this method greater than twice a yr.
Period – The method of shankha prakshalana should be accomplished in a day as described above.
Alternatively, learners 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 preserve growing one spherical to finish the course in 6 days.
Kinds of Shankhaprakshalasna
Primarily based on the amount of saline water, Shankha prakshalasna is 2 sorts;
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 ingesting 2 glasses of ready resolution.
- 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’ll ultimately come on later.
This follow takes one hour. You will need to take relaxation publish follow for half an hour earlier than having any meals or drink.
2. Poorna Shankaprakshalana
Poorna means full or full. In Poorna Shankaprakshalana, one retains ingesting water and performing 5 asanas again to again till the water popping out anus is as clear because the water moving into.
Who ought to keep away from this follow
Keep away from the kriya when you’ve got:
- Coronary heart illness or hypertension
- Weak kidneys
- Being pregnant
- Gastric or intestinal ulcers
- Extreme again ache
- Latest stomach surgical procedure
Precautions
- Cease the kriya as quickly as clear water begins to move.
- Don’t sleep instantly after the follow.
- Keep away from liquids for two hours after the meal.
- Keep away from spicy, oily, packaged or non-veg meals for one month.
- Keep away from dairy, pickles, sweets, and bitter fruits for at the very least per week.
- No alcohol, cigarettes, or medication for a month after the kriya.
- Maintain the physique heat to keep away from chilly, headache, or nausea.
Advantages of shankha prakshalana
1. Improves pure bowel motion: Shankha Prakshalana has been proven to help common bowel motion and enhance general bowel well being when practised frequently, decreasing discomfort related to constipation. In a managed research, individuals practising the kriya weekly for 4 weeks reported vital enchancment in bowel well being scores with out hostile results.
2. Helps colon cleaning for medical procedures: Analysis evaluating Shankha Prakshalana with customary bowel preparation options discovered that this yogic approach ready the colon successfully for procedures like colonoscopy, with fewer unwanted effects corresponding to nausea or bloating. This implies its potential as a pure and well-tolerated technique to clear the bowel when guided appropriately.
3. Could assist scale back digestive discomfort: Proof from evaluations of scientific research has discovered that the approach might assist handle signs of digestive irregularities corresponding to constipation, IBS, and stomach discomfort. These advantages are possible on account of improved peristalsis and coordinated motion of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Enhances urge for food and digestive operate: A pilot research indicated that common follow of this cleaning kriya not solely clears the digestive tract but in addition improves urge for food ranges in wholesome adults. Higher urge for food usually displays improved digestive operate and intestine signalling.
5. Secure for delicate use in hypertension (below steerage): Pilot analysis suggests {that a} milder model of the follow (Laghu Shankha Prakshalana) will be safely launched in people with important hypertension, probably supporting measures that help blood stress administration as a part of a broader yoga life-style.
6. Cleanses all the digestive tract: Not like enemas or native colon cleanses, Shankha Prakshalana includes flushing all the digestive system from the abdomen by to the massive gut utilizing heat saline water and motion. This thorough strategy helps take away outdated faecal matter and mucus that will in any other case stay deeper within the intestinal folds.
7. Promotes lightness and psychological well-being: Though extra analysis is required, many practitioners and observational studies describe a way of lightness and bodily consolation after the follow, possible because of the elimination of stagnant waste and enchancment in intestine motility. Conventional yoga texts help this as a preparatory kriya for deeper meditation and calm.
FAQs Shankha Prakshalana
1. What’s the greatest time of day to practise Shankha Prakshalana?
The very best time is early morning on an empty abdomen, ideally between 6–7 am. That is when digestion is calm, the intestines are empty, and the physique responds effectively to cleaning.
2. Do I have to quick earlier than practising Shankha Prakshalana?
Sure. You must practise the kriya solely after a mild dinner the earlier night time and with no meals within the morning. A transparent abdomen helps the saltwater transfer easily by the digestive tract.
3. What if the water doesn’t come out in the course of the follow?
If water doesn’t move out after the primary few rounds, repeat the asanas slowly with out forcing the bowels. Most individuals begin eliminating after the third spherical. If there may be nonetheless no motion, cease the follow and relaxation.
4. Can I drink plain water as a substitute of salt water?
No. Plain water will get absorbed shortly by the intestines and doesn’t cleanse the digestive tract. Saltwater stays contained in the intestine and helps the total washing impact.
5. How ought to I put together my physique earlier than doing Shankha Prakshalana?
For two–3 days earlier than the follow, keep away from heavy, fried, or spicy meals. Consuming easy meals helps scale back mucus and prepares the intestines for cleaning. Mild yoga or strolling additionally helps.
6. Can I do different yoga practices on the identical day?
Keep away from all robust yoga practices on the day of Shankha Prakshalana. As an alternative, relaxation, keep heat, and permit your digestive system to recuperate. Light respiratory or meditation is ok within the night.
7. How lengthy ought to I observe the particular food plan after the kriya?
Comply with the straightforward food plan of khichdi, ghee, and comfortable meals for at the very least in the future. Keep away from spicy, oily, bitter, or processed meals for at least one week to guard the cleansed digestive lining.