Physical Education · Ch 3 — Yoga
Yogic Kriyas (Shat Karma): Meaning, Procedure, Precautions and Benefits
Yogic Kriyas (Shat Karma): Meaning, Procedure, Precautions and Benefits
According to the tridosha theory — one of the fundamental theories of Indian medicine — the human body is made up of three basic constituents, the tridoshas:
- Vata — the mechanical (movement-related) functional constituent of the body;
- Pitta — the chemical functional constituent of the body;
- Kapha — the material (structural) functional constituent of the body.
When there is an imbalance in these constituents, it leads to disease. To keep the tridoshas in equilibrium, Yoga recommends six purification processes known as the Shat kriyas (six cleansing processes).
The six cleansing kriyas
| # | Kriya | What it chiefly cleanses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kapalabhati | Purification of the frontal lobes and the lungs. |
| 2 | Trataka | Blinkless (steady) gazing. |
| 3 | Neti | Nasal cleansing. |
| 4 | Dhauti | Cleaning of the digestive tract and stomach. |
| 5 | Nauli | Abdominal massage. |
| 6 | Basti | Colon cleaning. |
These six cleansing processes are excellent practices designed to purify the whole body and to promote good health. Of the six, Nauli and Dhauti are regarded as the higher (more advanced) practices, to be taken up only under experienced guidance.
General precautions
The Shat Karma act directly on the internal organs, so they must be approached with care. They should be learned and performed only under the guidance of a qualified, experienced teacher, practised on an empty stomach in a clean and hygienic place using clean water and equipment, and done gently, without force. A person with a relevant health condition should not attempt a kriya without qualified advice. …