Description
The Shatkarmas affect and activate almost all of the vital systems in the body, especially the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems. Among several Kriyas available in the Yogic lore, six major Kriyas are comprehensive. Each of these consists of a variety of practices.
- Trataka for eyes – practice of intense gazing at one point or object which develops the power of concentration
- Neti for cleansing upper nasal tract i.e from throat to nostrils
- Kapalbhati for lower respiratory tract from nostrils to lungs – a breathing technique for purifying the frontal region of the brain
- Dhouti series of cleansing techniques for digestive track. Some of them are:
- Varisara – cleansing of the intestines
- Vahnisara (agnisara) for activating the digestive fire
- Vaman – cleansing stomach with water
- Vatasara – cleansing intestines with air
- Nauli technique of massaging and strengthening the abdominal muscles and viscera
- Basti a technique for washing and toning the large intestine i.e lower Gastric Intestine (GIT)
The effects of the shatkarma can be summed up in one word – purification! When the different systems of the body have been purified, the overall result is that energy can flow through the body freely without blockages.
