9. Cleansing techniques

In the yoga texts attributed to Naths, besides yoga postures, related yoga exercises of internal cleansing and purification are discussed.

In the résumé below, it needs to be noted that texts are not entirely consistent regarding the names and kinds of yogic practices. One group of cleansing techniques described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika is the 'six actions' (shat karmans), which are also referred to as kriyas (The list varies slightly in other texts):

1. dhauti (of which there are four kinds: internal, teeth, heart, rectum; which involve cleaning the mouth, stomach and intestinal tract with cloth and water to remove accumulated impurities);

2. basti (enema);

3. neti (passing water or cloth through the nasal passages);

4. trataka (staring fixedly at a light source to allow water to clean the eyes);

5. nauli (a contraction and rotation of the abdominal muscles);

6. kapalabati (rapid inhalation and exhalation).

back                                                                                                   next