Purity begins from within

Practise these cleansing techniques to strengthen your immune system and bid adieu to digestive problems.

Yogis took great care to make sure their body was clean - internally and externally. In the previous article, we discussed some Shatkarma or internal cleansing practices. Today we shall continue this discussion with two more techniques: Lagoo Shankprakshalan, or intestinal wash, and Kunjal Kriya, or regurgitative cleansing.

Watch video: Yoga detox

Lagoo Shankprakshalan

This yogic practice cleans the intestines. It alleviates digestive problems, strengthens the immune system, reduces excessive mucus and purifies the blood.

A quantity of warm salted water should be prepared. In the morning, on empty stomach, drink two cups of the salted water and perform five asanas (eight times each). The asanas are as follows:

- Tadasana

- Tiryaka Tadasana

- Kati Chakrasana

- Tiryaka Bhujangasana

- Udarakarshanasana

Drink two more cups of the salted water and repeat the five asanas. Repeat the whole procedure once again.

Usually, by the time you drink six cups of the solution, you will feel a strong bowel movement. If the urge to empty the bowels does not occur before or soon after drinking the first six cups of salted water and three sets of postures, another round or two of the water and exercises can be done.

All the water which has been drunk does not come out in just one sitting, so it is advisable to stay at home home for the next few hours.

After all the water is passed, the intestines and bowels, stomach and small intestines will be cleansed.

At least half an hour should pass after the completion of the exercises before you eat anything. There are no dietary restrictions for this intestinal wash.

The asanas:

Tadasana

- Stand erect, legs together, hands by the side of thighs. Gaze ahead.

- Interlock fingers and stretch arms above the head. Palms should face the ceiling.

- Slowly, try to stand on your toes. Raise heels as much as you can, stretching your body upwards as much as possible.

- While returning to the starting position, bring your heels on the ground first.

- Slowly, bring your hands down.

Tiryaka Tadasana

- Stand with feet apart, a bit more than the shoulder width.

- Interlock fingers, palms facing downwards. Inhale as you raise arms over your head.

- Exhale as you bend to the side. Inhale as you straighten, back to the centre.

- Repeat on the other side.

Kati Chakrasana

- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale as you raise arms to shoulder level.

- Keeping feet flat on the floor, exhale as you twist the upper body to the right. Wrap the right arm behind the waist and the left hand on to the right shoulder.

- Turn head fully to the right to look behind.

- Inhale as you return to the starting position.

- Repeat on the other side.

Tiryaka Bhujagasana

- Lie on the floor on your stomach, forehead on the mat, hands placed under the shoulders, feet shoulder width apart. Curl your toes.

- As you inhale deeply, push up into Bhujangasana, or the cobra pose.

- As you exhale, twist the upper body, turning the head to look over the shoulder at the left foot.

- Inhale as you return to the starting position.

Udarakarshanasana

- Squat on both feet, place the hands on knees. Inhale.

- Exhale as you twist the upper body and head, dropping the left knee on to the floor.

- While twisting and holding for a few moments, push the right knee over the left thigh so as to exert a pressure into the lower abdomen.

- Inhale when you return to the starting position.

- Repeat on the other side.

Kunjal Kriya

This technique helps tone and stimulate the abdominal organs. It helps alleviate conditions such as indigestion, acidity and gastritis.

Excess mucus is also removed. At another level, pent-up emotions and emotional blocks caused by internal and external conflicts are released. Kunjal Kriya should be practised once a week, early in the morning on empty stomach.

- Add two teaspoons of salt to two litres of lukewarm water and drink at least six glasses at a stretch.

- Make sure your hands and nails are clean. Stand near a sink with your legs apart, back bent forward.

- Place index and middle fingers in the mouth and rub the back of the tongue. This will induce the vomiting process and the water will gush out of your mouth. Ensure that all the water is regurgitated.

- Relax. You can even lie down if you want. Practise deep breathing for a while.

Note: This technique should be avoided by people with hernia, high blood pressure, heart disease, peptic ulcers, diabetes and eye problems.

The practices described today should take us a couple of steps ahead in our journey towards good health. Happy cleansing, yogis!

Bharat Thakur is the founder of Bharat Thakur's Artistic Yoga. For questions on yoga, write to dubai.artisticyoga @gmail.com. For more information, log on to www.bharatthakur.com