According to Hatha Yoga there are six Shatkarmas, also known as cleansing techniques. The Shatkarmas activate, cleanse and purify the body’s system allowing prana to flow freely and ultimately help one achieve a deeper yogic state.
The six shatkarmas involve a range of techniques that focus on different aspects of the body such as the digestive tract, abdomen, respiratory system and so on. They are as follows:
- Jala and Sutra Neti
- Dhauti
- Uddiyana Bandha and Nauli
- Basti
- Kapalbhati
- Trataka
At the ashram we tried several of these techniques, starting with Jala Neti. Neti is a nasal cleansing practice which involves pouring warm, salt water into the nose. Yogic cleansing techniques are to Western society, somewhat unconventional in their methods but it’s important to keep an open mind. The techniques are not uncomfortable but are refreshing and leave the body feeling light and energised.
As someone who has had serious dust allergies and sneezing fits in the past, I’ve embraced Jal Neti as a way to clear up the nasal passages. It not only does wonders for the nose but also benefits the ears and throat. Some have even reported clearer vision afterward!
Perform Neti first thing in the morning and you will feel light, refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
What you need
- A neti pot – this resembles a teapot. I got my neti pot in India, but they can be bought online. Some Ayurvedic or yoga practitioners may also supply them.
- Warm water
- Salt
- An outdoor open space!
Before you start the actual practice, the ratio must be correct. Some teachers will recommend different measurements, but at the ashram we followed the ratio of one teaspoon of salt per 500ml of water. It’s important not to use too much salt or it will cause the nose to feel very dry.
Now, this is why you need to be outdoors with a bit of space. Next, bend the knees, tilt the head and breathe through the mouth. Insert the spout of the neti pot into one nostril and allow the water to flow out through the opposite nostril. When starting out you will have to feel your way and make any adjustments to ensure the water is flowing out through the nostril in a steady stream. The water must not come out the mouth. If this occurs you may need to adjust the head or the placement of the spout.
Once you have completed the process for one one nostril, do the same on the other side. You can cleanse each nostril twice.
After this, comes the most important part. You’ll need to perform something called “the elephant breath” to ensure all the water comes out of the nostrils. This is another reason why you need some space. For this, stand with your feet hip distance apart with your hands behind your back. Inhale through the mouth. Then exhale through the nose while scooping the head downwards and then back up in one smooth motion to remove any excess water. So the image you get is the swaying motion of an elephant’s trunk and the spurting action as well!
This should be completed several times to remove any excess water. If you don’t get all the water out you may risk getting a cold — the complete opposite of what Neti aims to achieve.
Some recommend that Neti should be performed once daily to purify the nasal passage and the body. At the moment I’m sticking to one day a week and I can already feel the benefits.
Next week’s blog will be on another cleansing technique – Vaman Dhauti. Notice how vaman kind of sounds like vomit? Well that’s because it is. Stay tuned…
