Shanka Prakshalana

This technique is practiced in the morning on an empty stomach and, for the first three times, should definitely be practiced under the guidance of a teacher from Yoga in Daily Life. Technique:

Gently warm six to seven litres of water to 34-40C. Add 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt per litre of water (with high blood pressure use diet salt). The temperature of the water should be kept constant throughout the whole practice. Quickly drink the entire quantity of water glass by glass. After each glass of water, practice five stretching and twisting exercises, such as Trikonasana, Triyak Bhujangasana, Sideways Bending of the Body, Meru Prishthasana and Tadasana. After the fifth glass, go to the toilet and perform Ashvini Mudra (rapid contraction and release of the anal muscles). This Mudra stimulates peristalsis of the intestines. Continue to drink the warm, salty water, glass by glass and practice the five Asanas and Ashvini Mudra till no more solid stools are passed. The whole process is only complete when one eliminates completely clean water from the bowel. The colour of the water may be yellowish, but it should contain no solid components. Afterwards, cleanse the stomach, esophagus and bronchial tubes by means of Dhauti (but with unsalted water). In conclusion, practice Jala Neti to prevent headache. Relax for about 1 hour following the Shanka Prakshalana practice. Cover your body well, but do not fall asleep.

Caution: The following diet is important. Khicheri should be eaten approximately 1 hour after Shanka Prakshalana - this can be prepared prior to relaxation. Preparation of Khicheri: Place 2 cups of Basmati Rice, 3/4 cup of hulled Mung Beans (Dal), 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds and salt in a pot, covered with three times the amount of water. Allow to simmer until it is tender. Mix in 1 dessert spoon of butter or clarified butter per serve. This food has the effect of providing a protective film on the intestinal tract and for this reason, as much as possible should be eaten. Do not drink for 2 hours after eating this meal. Diet:

In the weeks that follow, eat only easily digestible food, as the intestines are very sensitive after this practice. For 7 days avoid milk, cheese, raw fruit and vegetables, black tea and coffee. For 20 days avoid gas-forming foods such as beans, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, onions, hot spices and carbonated drinks. For

at least 40 days avoid meat, fish, eggs and alcohol - however, for our health it is best to do without these completely. In order that peristalsis of the intestines is stimulated, it is advisable to practice Agnisara Kriya or Nauli each day following the Shanka Prakshalana technique. It is perfectly normal that no bowel movement takes place for two or three days following the practice. On the early morning of the next five days, one may choose to drink warm, unsalted water (four to five glasses), and after each glass perform the same exercises as with Shanka Prakshalana. Shanka Prakshalana should be practiced 4 times a year, at the change of the seasons. At these times, our internal Biorhythm changes. Alternatively the technique can be practiced at least twice a year, mid-October till the beginning of November, and mid-March till the beginning of April.

Benefits: Shanka Prakshalana purifies the blood, detoxifies the body and helps to develop good digestion. It eliminates allergies (e.g. hay fever) and skin diseases (e.g. acne, neurodermatitis or psoriasis). Further, it is helpful for springtime lethargy and has a balancing effect upon the mind. Caution: Shanka Prakshalana should not be practiced by persons under 15 years of age, during menstruation or pregnancy. It is to be avoided by persons with very low blood pressure, gastritis, ulcers, weak kidneys, large gallstones, kidney stones, chronic diabetes, hernia, or those with mental illness.

Importance of Detoxification When we think about detoxification, what usually comes to the mind is cleaning our bodies. However detoxification has a deeper meaning. At the superficial level, detoxification definitely means getting rid of the toxins from our bodies. Cleaning the body of these toxins helps in keeping the body healthy and helping us to lead a great life. When we detoxify using Shankha Prakshalan, it also cleans up the negative energies in form of hidden emotions in the muscles & nerves in our body. Apart from these this practice also helps clean the mind of the impurities of thoughts and makes it calm down. If you are unable to understand how our emotions can be stored in the muscles, imagine how you always react the same way to the same impulse. For example if you do not like a

person, you would feel and behave in a certain way when you see that person. If you are observant enough, you would be able to notice how you feel in the major muscles of the body or face and how this feel remains the same every time you see that person. Similarly when you like or love a person, that time also muscles and nerves react in a certain way though the feeling might be different. As you can see the emotions are stored in our entire body; though it is a different matter whether we observe it or not. Some of these emotions are not good for us, and when we practice the cleansing techniques of yoga, our bodies are able to get rid of these emotional toxins also. One of the major reasons people practice yoga is when we use, move and control the muscles in a particular way when within a pose, it helps in cleansing of the emotional toxins from the muscles; and this is one of the reasons I love yoga. Shanka Prakshalan Shankha means counch (Sea Shell) in Sanskrit. The stomach resembles the Shankha and this practice washes the entire stomach and digestive system. Preparation Since the purpose is to clean the body, we should prepare little in advance. In the previous evening have Khichdi which is made from Moong seeds and Rice. It is easy to prepare. Take equal quantities or moong can be little more in proportion. Boil the moong and rice together adding salt and turmeric and one small tomato. Take some ghee and mix in the khidi. Have this in the night. Try to have it early in the evening so that the body has the time to digest and process the food and you are ready the next morning. Shanka Prakshalan Practice The practice consists of five easy poses practiced in sequence and consuming around two to three liters of water. In the morning go through the morning cleaning routine including visit to toilet. Now warm around 2 liters of water. You can add little salt and lemon juice.Drink two glasses of warm water and practice the following sequence 1. Tadasana Three times. Try to pull the body up as much as possible. 2. Triyak Tadasana Three times on each side. 3. Kati Chakrasana Three times on each side. 4. Triyak Bhujangasana Three times on each side 5. Udarakarshana Sitting on your haunches and try to twist your body to each side one by one. Twist three times on each side. The above consists of one round. Practice for two rounds.

Now again have two glasses of warm water. If you feel the urge to go to toilet you should relieve yourself. Repeat the above sequence Practice two rounds, and again have two glasses of water. When you go to the toilet initially the feces will be more solid in nature, however with more rounds of practice and consuming more water, stool will become more watery and in the end you will just eliminate water. Stop at this time. If you cannot do for so many times, and just go through 3 to 4 rounds of practice and water consumption. Even 3 to 4 rounds of practice will make you sweat a lot and also wash away most of the impurities from the body. When full round is practice it will wash away very old dirt and feces which are attached to the intestines also. After the practice wipe your body with clean cloth and cover the whole body and lie down in a room away from wind and sun. After resting for half an hour to one hour, get up and take bath. Eat very light food like khichdi mixed with lot of ghee as this will grease your intestines. This practice should ideally be done under the guidance of an expert, however if you want you can safely practice 3 to 4 round at home if you have reasonable health condition. Benefits of Shankha Prakshalan The benefits of this practice are already mentioned in the previous article. However some other benefits include 1. Radiance in the face. Eczema and other skin problems are cured. This happens since many skin problems originate due to the toxins in our bodies which are flushed out with stool and sweat. 2. Entire digestive system gets new life hence constipation and acidity problems vanish. 3. Many problems like Arthritis and migraine, sinus problems come under control. 4. Back muscles become more flexible and less prone to injury. 5. The person who practices this will become energetic and lose lethargy. 6. The mind becomes calmer. 7. You would become more conscious about the food and would be able to avoid foods which are bad for your health. Practice the smaller version (3 to 4 rounds) once in 45 days. You can also practice the full sequence once to 3 to 4 months. Practice of shankha prakshalana cleanses the entire body and keeps you healthy and beautiful. You become more aware of the way the body reacts to the food. You also gain the power to clean up the body and feel fresh again when you feel lethargic and drained out for many days.