Shatkarma (“Shat” (Skt.) – “six”, “karma” (Skt.) – “action”) are six cleansing techniques in yoga designed to improve the functioning of the body. They allow you to find harmony in mind and body, and perfectly prepare the student to perform asanas and meditation. These techniques are time-tested and have been used effectively for centuries.
Similar to how a home rests securely on its foundation, our body and mind require a solid foundation for the yogic journey. This foundation serves as the cornerstone of our yoga sadhana. Cleaning out our internal organ system is the foundation of what we’re talking about here for our body. This purging is referred to as Shatkarma or Shat kriyas in the yogic tradition.
Modern science says, our internal organ is comprised of 11 major systems including circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, nervous, and endocrine systems. To ensure the healthy and proper functioning of the body, the cleansing of organ systems is essential on a regular basis.
What is Shatkarma?
In order to remove impurities from the interior body, Hatha Yoga uses a set of six cleansing practices called Shatkarma. These purging procedures are also referred to as the six yoga kriyas or shat kriyas.
Indeed, Shatkarmas are more akin to yoga’s warm-up movements. They are typically practiced before any advanced meditation techniques, asana, or pranayama. Why? Because the goal of these kriyas is to strengthen the body and mind so that they can resist any advanced practice, both inside and outside.
6 Yoga Kriyas
The six yoga kriyas are comprehensive detoxification exercises that purify every part of our digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. Shatkarma is the collective name for these yoga kriyas.
Here, the words “particular actions” and “specific effects” are synonymously referred to as “kriya” and “karma,” respectively. So many yoga and pranayama literature also refer to shatkarma as “shat kriyas.”
- Dhauti kriya
- Basti kriya
- Neti kriya
- Nauli kriya
- Trataka kriya
- Kapalbhati kriya
These yoga kriyas are designed to cleanse the alimentary canal’s various organ systems.
- Starting with the mouth, Dhauti kriya focuses on cleansing the mouth and food pipe.
- Basti Kriya cleanses the colon or lower abdomen (large intestine).
- Neti kriya focuses on the cleansing of nasal passages.
- Nauli kriyas massage stomach organs.
- Trataka is for cleansing the eyes.
- And Kapalbhati cleanses the frontal lobe (front part of the brain).
1. Dhauti Kriya – Cleansing of Digestive Tract
Dhauti kriya is the first Shatkarma we practice in yoga. In Sanskrit, Dhauti means ‘washing‘ or ‘cleansing‘.
In this process, water is drunk to full capacity which lets impurities flush out from the food pipe by vomiting.
Dhauti kriya is generally of four types. Some common types of Dhauti are:
- Vamana Dhauti – Drinking a large quantity of lukewarm water and then vomiting it out removes extra mucus from the food pipe. It’s also called Kunjal Kriya.
- Vastra Dhauti – In this Dhauti kriya, a clean muslin cloth drowned in tepid water is swallowed and held in the stomach for a few minutes. Then it’s pulled out from the mouth end brings out impurities intestinal tract.
Data Dhauti (teeth washing), Jihva Dhauti (tongue washing), and Karna Dhauti are some other straightforward Dhauti procedures (ear cleansing).
The internal organ system functions more effectively and the excess mucus in the stomach is eliminated thanks to Dhauti kriya. Additionally, regular practice of the Dhauti Kriya balances the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas in our bodies.
Also Read: A Detailed Guide of Dhauti Kriya & Its Benefits
2. Basti Kriya – Cleansing of Large Intestine
Basti is the second shat kriya which is said to cure almost 50% of abdominal diseases.
Basti kriya is of two types based on the procedure of practices: Sthala Basti and Jala Basti.
In both techniques, water is drawn in through the anus in the large intestine and then abdominal muscles are churned while holding water inside. After churning, water is expelled through the anus.
It directly contributes to the colon’s cleansing, which is the body’s principal organ (large intestine). Nearly all bodily tissues are nourished via the colon.
Basti cleanses the entire colon system to the rectum, unlike enema, which only cleans the lower 8 to 10 inches of the colon (attached to the anus). A long, tube-like organ in the lower belly called the colon takes water from food after it has been digested, and it is primarily disturbed by solid waste (feces).
Also Read: Basti Kriya (Yogic Enema): Cleansing of Intestines
3. Neti kriya – Cleansing of Nasal Passages
Neti is the third shat kriya that deals with purifying nasal cavities from accumulated impurities. it’s very important to clear the nasal cavities as it’s the pathway to Prana we take through breathing.
Breathing works like fuel to charge up the human body. If the fuel (breathing) is dirty for any reason, it can make us sick. unclean nostrils could be one of the main reasons for irregular breathing.
Neti kriya is an exercise intended for the purification of nostrils by various techniques.
Neti is basically of 2 types, based on their procedure.
- Jala Neti – In this Neti, Jala (water) is used as a cleaning tool to remove the impurities of nostrils. Using the neti pot, water is poured in through one nostril & then under the effect of gravity, it’s expelled out another nostril. Water that comes out from other nostrils removes impurities from nasal pathways.
- Sutra Neti – In this ni, a rubber thread (sutra) is used to massage the nasal pathways in such a manner that it opens any blockages present in the nostrils.
4. Trataka Kriya – Cleansing of Eyes
Trataka kriya is one of the best eye exercises that involve steady and continuous gazing at any reference point. The reference point in the Trataka practice could be any external object. The most common object used in Trataka as the reference point is an Illuminated Candle.
Among 6 shat kriyas, Trataka is known for its simplest procedure. Consistent and correct practice of Trataka increases concentration power and purifies the mind from fluctuating thought patterns.
See Here: How to Do Candle Flame Trataka
Based on the reference thing to gaze upon, whether you take an external object or internal point, Trataka can be classified into 2 categories.
- Internal Tratak is when the focus is kept on the tribute or the Third eye (a place between eyebrows) inward or upward. Internal Trataka helps to awaken the third eye or Ajna chakra.
- External Tratak is the practice of gazing at some external objects continuously. External objects could be anything literally that gives you pleasure hence easy to forcefully gaze on them.
Also Read: Neti Kriya & its Benefits
5. Nauli kriya – Cleansing of Abdominal Organs
The lower abdominal muscles are moved in the Nauli kriya to help ignite the digestive fire.
It is an essential yoga kriya that keeps the body’s muscles moving. By massaging the liver, spleen, urine bladder, pancreas, gall bladder, and intestines, the Nauli technique purifies these organs, just as flowing water is a sign of purity. The practitioner’s digestive system and appetite improve when all of these internal organs move consistently.
Rectus Abdominis or “abs” muscles are segregated in Nauli kriya, either to the left or right of the linea alba or in the middle (anterior wall in the abdomen).
By isolating the abdominal muscles on either side of the linea alba, which serves as a middle reference, Nauli can be divided into three categories.
- Madhya Nauli – When the left and right sides abs muscles are concentrated at the center wall or linea alba
- Vama Nauli – When both abs muscles are aligned left side from the center wall.
- Dakshina Nauli – When both abs muscles are aligned right side from the center wall.
Also Read: Step-by-step Guide to Perform Nauli
6. Kapalbhati – Cleansing of Frontal Lobes
The final Shatkarma that focuses on enhancing brain function is Kapalbhati. Kapalbhati is also referred to as Kapalabhati pranayama since it is a breathing method used by yoga practitioners. In Kapalbhati, breathing is synchronized with a quick inward and outward movement of the abdomen wall.
The breathing in this instance during Kapalbhati pranayama is very dissimilar from everyday breathing. When breathing normally,
- The inhale is active (more focused) while the exhale is passive (less focused).
In Kapalbhati breathing,
- The exhale is active (more focused) while the inhale is passive (less focused).
By emphasizing more on exhaling as compared to inhaling, Kapalbhati expels more impurities in the form of CO2 gas.
Also Read: Beginner’s Guide to Kapalbhati Pranayama
Benefits of Shatkarma
- As Shatkarma purifies the internal body, our external organ system also starts working well. Thus, it balances the internal & external organ systems.
- The series of these kriyas helps to balance the Tri Doshas of a human being. There are Three Doshas in every human being, if there is any kind of imbalance in any of these Doshas then the body will not function properly. So Shat Kriya helps the Doshas to be in a perfect ratio.
- Shatkarma is helpful in channeling the flow of Prana in Nadis. It helps to clean the blockages of Nadis and thus Prana moves without any obstacle inside the body.
- The kriyas are helpful for the connectivity of the mind, soul, and body. As all the channels are cleansed by these kriyas then all the pathways are open and then all those yogic activities connect your mind boy and soul.
- Shatkarma is helpful in the development of the immune system. If our Immune system is strong and healthy then it helps fight many diseases. So when a being is cleansed from its core that means its base has been cleansed as well. Hence in this manner, the immune system is cleansed as well.
- Physical aging and Biological aging are two different aspects. When our body isn’t clean then it brings physical aging which is pretty much earlier the Biological aging. Shatkriya helps to retarded Physical aging and helps to maintain biological aging.
- It helps to increase awareness of a human being at different levels, the physical level, psychological level, emotional level, spiritual level, and intellectual levels.
Precautions to take for Shatkarma practice
1. Practice Under the Supervision of an expert
Practicing any of the 6 Shatkarma needs expertise in that particular kriya, so it’s mandatory to have theoretical as well as practical knowledge. Hence, it’s advised for a beginner to do these kriyas under the supervision of an expert guide.
2. Don’t practice it every day
Most people are unaware that ancient yogis never recommended Shatkarma as a daily practice like asana, pranayama, and other yoga disciplines.
Only when you feel your inner body needs cleansing should you perform a Shat Kriya, which should only be done once per week. Even though a starting practitioner needs more cleansing than an experienced yogi, it may be practiced continually in the beginning.
3. Use clean and sterile equipment
Make sure the neti pot, water, rubber thread, cotton towel, and other tools are clean and sterile before beginning the Shatkriya. These yogic exercises are meant to cleanse your body from the inside out, therefore the objects you use should likewise be clean.
4. Pregnant women shouldn’t practice shat kriyas
It is best to avoid practicing Shatkriya during pregnancy. Janet and Trataka can be practiced in moderation if one is truly motivated to perform shat kriyas. Other kriyas, which have to do with the movement or purification of the stomach, could have an impact on the fetus’s health.
5. Lighten up your diet
Six Shatkarmas are extremely strenuous exercises for your inside organs. Don’t do Shatkarma until you reduce your calorie intake because doing so will strain your organs.
6. Keep calm while practicing
In the early stages of study, beginners frequently overexcite themselves about the strange shat kriyas that expert yogis may perform. Dedication and complete focus are required when performing the shat kriya exercises, such as swallowing a piece of cloth in the mouth or piercing a cotton thread through one nostril.
Only perform Shat Kriyas for the first three to five minutes. Remain composed and avoid forcing yourself to practice if you’re not feeling well. When performing Neti kriya quickly, you risk damaging your nasal passages.
Why Purify the Body? Importance of Shatkarma
Think of the human body as a computer. While the interior body functions as software, the outward body, which we can touch or see, is comparable to the computer system’s hardware.
Since it is simple to come into contact with the external body or hardware, it is cleaned by daily rituals like washing, taking a bath, and brushing, among other things. The internal body parts, however, are constantly exposed to outside elements (through food, sight, touch, and smell), and we don’t engage in any particular routine activity to purify them. Yoga kriyas (in the form of Shatkarma) are therefore occasionally yet consistently practiced.
- It is important for yoga practitioners to purify their inner body organs from time to time so as to ensure the proper working of yogic practices on the body. Shatkarma removes impurities from the internal body.
organs which get accumulated by regular intake of external matter through different sensory organs. - To ensure the proper flow of Prana (life force) Shatkarma ensures there isn’t any physical/mental knot present in Nadis – energy channels of the body. Shatkarma, especially Kapalbhati and Nauli balances Prana flow within two important Nadis i.e. Ida & Pingala.
- Usually, our mind is cluttered by many unwanted thoughts which in the yogic language are called Vrittis. By the practice of Shatkarma (more especially Trataka), we can bring a state of steadiness to mind.
Shatkarma has been thoroughly explained in two traditional scriptures, the “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” and the “Gheranda Samhita.” Despite the fact that both works are part of the Hatha Yoga school of thought, they have very distinct conceptions of what Shatkarma entails.
Shatkarma In Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP)
Swami Swatmarama, Author of Hatha Yoga Pradipika has prescribed the practice of Shatkarma only for this type of person:
- Who has excessive fat or mucus accumulation in the body?
- Who is experiencing an imbalance of 3 doshas?
In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP), Swami Swatmarama made it very clear that a Yoga Sadhak (practitioner) does not need to do Shatkarma if the three doshas are in the right proportions and no additional fat has collected in the body. But in order to put the six Shatkarma into effect when appropriate, one must learn them.
In addition to this, this verse mentions the order of individual Shatkarma practice in HYP:
Kaplabhtichaitni shatkarmni prachakshate – Dhautirbastistath netistrtakam naulikam tath
Meaning: Shatkarma is a term used to describe Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka, Nauli, and Kapalabhati.
Shatkarma In Gheranda Samhita
Sage Gheranda is another foremost author of Hath Yoga texts.
According to Sage Gheranda, a practitioner should do Shatkarma at the very first stage of yoga before anything.
The Yoga Sage Gheranda propagated is also called Ghatastha Yoga which has 7 limbs, in contrast to eight limbs yoga that came from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. 7 Limbs mentioned in Gheranda Samhita are:
- 1st limb – Shatkarma – for purification of body
- 2nd limb – Asana – Strengthens the body
- 3rd limb – Mudra – Bring Steadiness to the body
- 4th limb – Pratyahara – Withdrawal of senses from the outer world
- 5th limb – Pranayama – Bring lightness to the body
- 6th limb – Dhyana – for inner perception
- 7th limb – Samadhi – the ultimate goal of yoga
According to Sage Gheranda, our body and mind are like a vessel (Ghata) that carries our soul and characteristics Gunas as the water inside a vessel.
Natasha Yoga first aims to purify the body or vessel that carries a soul, through the 6 purification techniques of Shatkarma. This purification (Shatkarma) is called Ghata Shuddhi in Gheranda Samhita.
Thus, the practice of Shatkarma is important for every person who has just begin the journey of yoga as per Gheranda Samhita.
The sequence of 6 practices of Shatkarma according to Sage Gheranda is also a little different from the HYP sequence. Here Shatkarma sequence is: Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Nauli, Trataka, and Kapalbhati
