A few days ago,we had a glimpse into the 1st Niyama,Shaucha or cleanliness.We looked at the practise of Vaman Dhauti,which is like a stomach wash.Hopefully,some have been inspired to practise the technique in the meantime.
Before proceeding,let’s understand this word-Practise.It is crucial.Yoga,according to Patanjali,is the stilling of the thought waves in the mind.The first way that he offers to do this is through अभ्यास – practise.This is what the Oxford Dictionary says on practise:-
1.perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to acquire, improve or maintain proficiency in it.
2.carry out or perform (a particular activity, method, or custom) habitually or regularly.
The Keyword here is – Perform.First & foremost,we need to start performing.We can go on reading,discussing, contemplating, thinking-about the wonderful things we need to do,but unless & until we actually get down to doing it,there’s really no point.As someone rightly said-An ounce of practise is worth tonnes of theory.
It’s interesting the way these definitions coincide with what Patanjali says on Abhyasa.In the Yoga Sutras I:14,he says:
स तु दीर्घकालनैर्र्न्तर्यसत्कारासेवितो दृढ़भूमिः।
Sa tu deerghakala nairantarya satkaraa sevito drudhbhoomihi
It (the practise) becomes firm when carried out for a long time,without break & with faith.
So,repeated,regular practise with faith will bring about the desired results.Therefore,Keep Practising!!!
Today,I would like to offer you one more extremely effective technique for purification of the body.This is a simple cleansing of the Gastro-Intestinal(GI)Tract,what I like to call अति लघू शंख प्रक्षालन (Ati-Laghoo Shankha Prakshaalana) or extremely small Shankha Prakshaalana.Shankha Prakshaalana is an intensive cleansing of the GI tract,which may be undertaken once or twice a year,under proper guidance.However,the Ati laghoo is a much simplified version & can be practised safely on a regular basis.
Shankha Prakshaalana literally means cleaning the conch-shell.If you have seen a conch shell with an opening on both sides-one side from where you can blow it & the other from which emanates the sound-you would have noticed that the shape of the shell twists & turns a couple of times.To wash it,you pour water from the opening where it is blown from,& the water passes out from the other side,removing any impurities on the inside.A single rinse may remove only the superficial dirt,but a repeated,more intense wash helps to dislodge the more stubborn impurities.
The GI tract,in Shankha Prakshalana,has been likened to a conch shell,what with its various curves & turns.Whereas the Ati-laghoo is like the single rinse,the full technique helps to clear & flush out the impurities very intensely.
The Preparation
Prepare a litre of lukewarm water with a teaspoon of rock/sea salt added to it.This should be atleast 4 medium sized glasses of water.
The Technique
1.On an empty stomach,quickly drink a glass of the prepared solution & do Tadasana 10 times.
TADASANA
a.Stand with the feet about hip width apart.Keep the palms interlocked & facing the ceiling on top of the head.
b.With an inhalation,come up on the toes & straighten the arms at the elbows with the palms still interlocked & facing the ceiling,stretching the whole body-the legs,torso,arms upwards.Hold the breath for a few seconds.
c.Exhale & release,bringing the heels down & the interlocked palms back on top of the head.
2.Have a second glass of water,& perform 10 rounds of Tiryaka Tadasana.
TIRYAKA TADASANA
a.Stand as in Tadasana,with the palms interlocked above the head & the feet a little more than hip width apart.
b.Inhale & straighten the elbows,stretching the arms up but keeping the heels down.
c.Exhale,& bend the torso sideways,laterally,on the right side.Hold for a couple of seconds.
d.Inhaling,come back to the centre & repeat on the other side.This completes one round.
3.Have a third glass of the saline solution & do 10 rounds of Kati-Chakrasana.
KATI – CHAKRASANA
a.Stand with the feet about hip width apart & the arms raised sideways to shoulder level.Inhale.
b.Exhale & twist the torso & the neck to the left.Simultaneously bend both arms at the elbows,taking the left arm at the back of the waist,with the palm facing out,& the right arm across the chest,with the palm on the left shoulder.Keep the bent arms close to the torso.Hold the pose for a few seconds.
c.Inhale,coming back to the centre with outstretched arms & repeat on the other side.This is one round.
4.Have a fourth glass of water.Walk around with the right palm/fist pressed under the left armpit(to activate the right nostril,which aids in the eliminatory process)till the time you feel the urge to defecate.Be relaxed & don’t put any unnecessary pressure.
NOTES:
1.The Ati-laghoo is a basic cleansing of the GI tract.Highly recommended to be practised atleast once a week,or more often,if required.
2.Keep in mind that you may need to visit the toilet more than once.So,plan accordingly.For the first few times,do the procedure on a weekend or holiday when you are not in a hurry to go out in the morning.
3.This may be done with plain lukewarm water,but the addition of salt helps in better cleansing.
4.Those suffering from high blood pressure should perform with plain water only.People suffering from any other medical conditions,especially kidney patients,should perform this only after consultation with their doctors.
The importance of a proper,regular,daily bowel movement cannot be overstated,nor can it be underestimated.And if this important job is completed in the morning,it greatly assists in a feeling of lightness in the body & clarity of thought.Ati Lagoo Shankha Prakshaalana helps a lot in this regard.
Shankha Prakshaalana has traditionally been called as Varisara Dhauti as per the ancient yogic texts.The Gheranda Samhita states :
“The Varisara is the highest Dhauti.He who practises it with ease purifies his filthy body,turning it into a shining one.”-GS I.19
So,practise this amazing cleansing process soon & experience the benefits yourself!!!
Love.
yogawithsudarshan 
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