TRADITIONAL YOGIC VOLUNTARY
NOSE- WASHING TECHNIQUES (NETI KIRYAS).
Two techniques are employed, one following the other. Firstly, a smooth long thread, 18 inches in length and about 3-4 mm. in width, popularly known as nasal-string (Sutra neti) approximately half of which is twisted and coated with beeswax, is introduced through one of the nostrils (preferably breath predominant one)
concomltantwith deep inhalation . The string on reaching the throat is pulled out through the mouth taking care that the other end of the string remains held outside with the other hand. The string is then moved up and down as in mllching the cow for about 5 to 6 times. The same procedure is then repeated for the other nostril.
Immediately after using the string, the individual holds a metallic-pot studded with nasal spout, containing lukewarm normal saline water (9g/litre). The nearly normal saline water is prepared by adding about half a tea-spoonful of common salt in the pot containing about 200 ml. of lukewarm water (or salt to taste like tears). The individual then squatting in the crow-posture, (kaag-asana), inserts the spout in
one of the nostrils and tilts his head first slightly forward and then sidewards so that water flows out through the other nostril by gravity (Jala neti), . During the flushing of the nostril the practitioner is instructed to breath through mouth. The same procedure is then repeated through the other nostril. The practitioner then blows out the nostrils to expell the residual remains of water from the nostrils. For doing so he stands up, bends forward at an angle of 90° and breaths in and out rapidly and powerfully through the nose while moving his head sideways, up and down (Kapal bhaati).This process of quick exhalation and inhalation eliminates the water remaines in the nasal tract and stauses etc.
Both theyogic purificatory devices by using (i) string (sutra) and (ii) water (Jala) ,are very simple and refreshening practices which are claimed to aim at releasing the blocked energy from the autonomic nerve centres in the region of hypothalamus as well as in the frontal areas located in the mid-point between the eyebrows where psychic tension accumulates. The practices of nasal irrigation by allowing to flow warm saline water through the naso-pharynx is also ‘Claimed to produce tremendous therapeutic effects and must be considered foremost among the devices for use by the chest therapists.
These theoretical claimes, however, need further scientific explorations. The subjective therapeutic effects in ear-nose and throat disorders have been observed in a number of, cases by the author personally in his place of work.
The likely scientific explanations of the benefits derived by practicing the yogic way of Nasal-Washing – Techniques (Netis).
(i) The flow of warm saline solution over nerve endings in the nasal mucosa connected at the other extreme with olfactory bulb — a structure at the base of the brain.located just above’ the nasal pharynx possibly initiates reflexly a soothing and relaxing action on the nerve centres of emotions in the limbic system of the brain.
(ii) It may thus aid indirectly in improving concentration and harmonising the interaction between reasoning, thinking etc. in the cerebral cortex and influence the feelings governed by in the limbic system. The soothing and relaxing effect thus induced may be responsible for the benefits to
headache sufferers in relieving their aches. The later response has been observed in many a cases.
Because of the direct connection between the limbic system and the medulla oblongata, the area of the brain stem at the top of the spinal cord, responsible for involuntary functions e.g. control of blood pressure .heart rate, breathing etc. the nasal washing techniques are perhaps considered to be of immense therapeutic advantage in diseases ranging from hypertension to bronchial asthma.
Probably by their action on the trigeminal nerve.it gives a soothing effect on the whole facial area and thus is beneficial to alleviate tired eyes, nervous twitching and facial pain etc.
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STOMACH WASHING TECHNIQUES (KUNJAL AND VASTRA DHAUTI).
Kunjal Volitionally Induced Vomiting Technique
Although there are several yogic techniques to improve the functioning of the stomach yet one of the most readily acceptable and easily applied is the practice of developing control over the stomach to the extent that one could voluntarily induce vomiting of its contents. The practitioner drinks five or six glasses or ad libitum of lukewarm water on an empty stomach. He then bends the trunk forward, widens his legs and rests the hands on the knees and then exhales completely. In doing so, the abdominal muscles are put to pumping action by throwing them backward and upward and then relaxed again. The deep inhalation accompanied by the abdominal movements at the rate of approximately 8 to 10 times a minute, induces a strong contracting action on the abdominal muscles and diaphragm. The uvula is then stimulated with the help of middle and ring fingers which inturn initates a vomiting reflex consequent of which the stomach ejects out its contents. After a few months of practising this way, the most of the learners gain full control over the stomach and can vomit out its contents volitionally.
The cleansing action of this practice on the stomach and oesophagus by virtue of their strong contraction induces copious elimination of phlegm and mucous and thus benefits immensely particularly in digestive and respiratory disorders. This novel practice of vomiting out the stomach
contents is of an absolute necessity in any programme of treatment for indigestion, hyperacidity, bronchial disorders including asthma etc.
During the early stage of practice, many people experience psychological barrier as a result of negative social conditioning about the process of vomiting but with perseverance and patience this feeling is gradually overcome and transcended, and the learner continues to benefit immensely from ensuing acceptance of keeping the stomach functioning healthy and toned.
Vastra Dhauti (Eating of Muslin Cloth Strip)
In an unusually and apparently mysterious practice to cleanse the stomach and provide massage to its walls, the yoga practitioners are taught to swallow a long but thin piece of muslin cloth, twenty two feet long and three inches wide, The cloth is moistened, one end of it is then swallowed bitby bit while keeping the other
end held in the other hand.Quite often, it takes a lot of practice to swallow the whole piece of cloth, leaving out only a few inches. With the cloth in the stomach, the practitioner practices the diaphragm-raising-yogic-
The likely scientific explanations of the benefits of the Stomach Washing Yogic Techniques (Kunjal and Vastra Dhauti).
(i) At the most gross level the practices of (i) voluntarily vomiting of pre-drunken warm water ad libitum and (ii) swallowing of a long piece of cloth, tend to wash and clean the stomach oi” its accumulated toxic waste residual contents. The eating of the cloth followed by abdominal rolling movements is likely to absorb the unwanted fluids in the stomach and provide massage to the inner lining of the stomach.
(ii) By performing these paractices, the practitioner learns to gain volitional control over the inner organ of stomach and thereby brings the more subtle and autonomic components of the nervous system under conscious control.
(iii) The act of learning to manipulate the stomach mechanically from outside and neurologically from inside is likely to affect the micro-structure, the
chemicals, enzymes and energy pathways at molecular levels besides intensifying the cleansing action.
(iv) The internal stimulation of the cavity of the stomach either by intake of warm water or by swallowing of cloth is also certain to bring unconscious body organ of stomach into the field of conscious awareness. The process of expansion of this stomach awareness is also likely to intensify when the stomach washing techniques are practised in combination with yogic postures, pranayama and meditative practices.
(v) Cleansing the internal cavity of the stomach is likely to normalise and adjust to work optimally the metabolic processes occuring in the stomach.
TRADITIONAL YOGIC VOLUNTARY COLON-WASHING TECHNIQUES (BASTI)
In order to gain a full volitional control over the large intestine, a series of exercises are required to be practiced stepwise.The various steps in this direction consist of 
i) manipulation of anal sphincters (Moolabandha) (ii) diaphragm-raising exercise (uddiyana) (iii) isolation of abdominal recti-muscles (Nauli) ,(iv) rolling and rotation of recti abdomini muscles Nauli-chalana (v) creating a partial vacuum in the colon to take water up through the rectum. For the sake of convenience in learning the technique for washing colon, the various steps to be undertaken are described below
Gaining control over the anal sphincters (Moolabandha)
For achieving this, the practice of repeated voluntary contraction and relaxation of anal sphincters is carried out after clearing the bowels for a period of several months in succession. Care is to be taken that sphincters are contracted during exhalation and relaxed during inhalation. The same procedure of contracting and relaxing the anal sphincters is also repeated during the diaphragm-raising exercise by withdrawing the abdomen towards the spine. Only a few days’ practice enables the learner to accomplish the objective of gaining complete voluntary control over the anal sphincters.
Diaphragm-raising exercise (Uddiyana for abdominal pumping).
By standing erect with legs about a feet apart, bending slightly forward so as to grasp the knees firmly with the hands,the practice of compressing the abdomen during exhalation enables the practitoners to raise the diaphram. While holding the breath depending upon the capacity of the individual learner.the abdomen is pumped at will in and out in a quick succession.Regular practice in this way on the empty bowel helps gain voluntary control over raising of the diaphragm.
Isolation of abdominal recti muscles (Nauli)
This constitutes the most important purificatory step for cleansing the colon. The two muscles, recti abdomini are isolated first together and then each independently. Indeed this is a continuation of the diaphragm-raising exercise. Immediately after raising the diaphragm as described above, a downward and forward push is given to the abdominal area above the pubic bone in line with the navel. After a considerable practice sometimes running over a period of months, the learner is-able to isolate the two muscles. This accomplishes the first stage followed by an attempt to isolate each abdominal rectus muscle separately i.e. when the isolation of the left rectus is executed the body is bent a little to the left and similarly the corresponding change is brought about for isolating the right rectus muscle.Rolling and rotation of recti abdomini muscles(Nauli Chalana)
After gaining success in isolating the two recti together as well as separately, one attempts the rolling and rotational mainpulation of the recti abdomini which is. brought about by quick contraction and relaxation of two muscles in a rapid succession.The procedure is also practised bidirectionally i.e. from left to right and vice-versa.Creation of vacuum or negative pressure in the colon.
Creation of partial vacuum in the colon is an automatic outcome of isolation of recti abdominal muscles which enables the practitioner to draw water up through the rectum provided the procedure is accompanied by the voluntary opening of the anal sphincters. By the practice of the above said procedural steps the water is filled in the already emptied bowels, followed by the rolling abdominal manipulations, the water is let out. PURIFICATORY YOGIC BREATHING EXERCISE
(KAPALBHAATI)
According to the yogic classification, the breathing practices, though, constitue the fourth of the eight stages of the yogic curriculum.yet one of these characterised by the rhythmic shallow breathing and popularly known as ‘Kapalbhaau” subserves the function of the body purification. The salient feature of this breathing manoeuvre is the absence of the pause between inhalation and exhalation. While performing Kapalbhaati, the learner starts with an exhalation brought by an inward stroke of the abdomen followed by quick inhalation and there being no interval between the two. Kapalbhaati is a diaphragmatic variety of breating and hence the adbominal muscles play a major role, however, the contraction of abdominal muscles beyond that involved in one moderate inward stroke is strictly avoided. The inhalation phase of Kapalbhati during the actual practice is highly passive and automatic to the extent that the beginner hardly pays any attention to this phase. Two exhalations per second is the usual rate and the duration of one round is one minute i.e. total of one hundred and twenty respirations per minute. After completing one round with maximum number of respirations depending upon the capacity of the individual, the beginner rests for sometimes ranging from a period of a few seconds to one minute. This is often followed by the second round. Three such rounds are generally practisedin one sitting. Kapalbhati being an exercise of great oxygen value, has no parallel. The consequent massage given to the abdominal visceral organs and its effect upon the circulatory and digestive system have been proven to be of great paramount physiological importance.
CONCLUSION
The scientific analysis and critical evaluation for the various yogic purificatory-techniques described above reveal that these exercises have been developed primarily for attaining the internal hygiene of the body which in turn influences to bring about a correct, optimal and harmonious physiological equilibrium in terms of functioning of the various organs of the body. From the experiences of the author, based on (i) the scientific evaluation of the implications of yogic Shatkarmic technology using Hi-Tech electronic based scientific equipment and (ii)the personal practice of Shatkarmic techniques, it may be inferred that the yogic purificatory methods when coupled with the yogic postures and breathing practices help the individuals immensely to restore their body strength besides maintaining their body at a higher levels of physical and mental efficiency.
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SHANKHAPRAKSHALANA”
( MOUTH TO ANUS “GUT” WASHING)
Introducing the Technique :-
The yogic technique of washing the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involves, the use of lukewarm water, com¬mon salt, yogic postural exercises and ‘ghee’ in the form of clarified butter. The use of saltish water can also be substituted by lemon water.fruit juice, vegetable soup etc. as the intake of salt is associated with high blood pressure and water retention.
The use of salt for GIT – washing is preferred over the other suggested things as the salt has the quality of dissolving mucous and cleansing the internal linings. Furthermore, the use of salt in lesser amounts has a soothing effect on the inflammed GIT—linings. Indeed, the amount of salt assim¬ilated during GIT—washing is very small, as most of it is excreted through the rectum. Some people however prefer the taste of lemon in their GIT— washing juice as lemon is considered as a cleanser, alkalizing agent and container of vitamin C. Lemonated saltish water, taken first thing in the morning, is considered as a preventive measure against constipation.
The Yogic method of GIT— washing is named as Shankhaprakshalana (Shankha—meaning conch refers to the conch-shape of stomach, small and large intestines; Prakshalana—meaning cleaning) or Varisara (Vari—meaning water, Sara—meaning internal washing). This method of GIT—washing is a thorough process of cleansing stomach, intestine, colon and rectum and has to be performed under the supervision of skilled guide.
YOGIC METHOD OF PERFORMING SHANKHAPRAKSHALANA
This unique practice is performed by drinking a large quantity of saline water and then performing the diaphragm raising exercise followed by four Yogic postural exercises of (i) Sarpasana (Cobra Posture), (ii) Urdhva – hastottanasana (Upstretched Arms Posture), (iii) Katichakrasana (Lumbar Wheel Posture), and (iv) Udarakarshasana (Belly-Suction Posture). These postural exercises are claimed to transport the water downward through the gastrointestinal tract. After completing each of these postural exercise approxi¬mately eight times the individual drinks more of saltish water followed by the performance — of the above said postural and diaphragm raising exercises. This is repeated until the urge for evacuation of bowels is initiated. The procedure of drinking saltish water followed by the above said yogic exercises is continued till clear water is evacuated. After undertaking the practice of GIT-washing more water is drunk to be vomitted out. This is followed by nasal washing techniques. Following this the practitioner is advised to take rest for about 30-45 minutes without going to sleep and then, to eat a porridge made out of rice, lentils/mung beans with clarified butter or ‘ghee’. This oily preparation is considered to be highly important as it coats and lubricates the freshly washed internal GIT-linings. This special preparation of porridge mixed with butter also provides a protective soothing and nourishing effect to the internalmucosal layer.without which the intestinal linings are likely to yield to the corrosive effects of acids and alkalies as well as drying out and cracking of the internal linings. Presence of salt also allows the ‘ghee’ to coat the intestines, lemon prevents the lubrication. Therefore, the use of salt is preferred.
Precautions to be Observed
(i) A light meal is eaten on the preceding night.
(ii) No bathing is permitted during or after GIT-washing.Hence, a bath should be taken early morning before starting GIT-flushing.
(iii) After completing the GIT-flushing.stomach washing ‘Kunjal’ and nose washing Neti techniques should be performed.
(iv) A compulsory 30-45 minutes rest without going to sleep is a primary requisite and hence must follow GIT-washing.
(v) After rest,a sufficient amount of liquid type porridge made up of boiled rice.green gram pulse with little tur¬meric along with 15-20gm of clarified butter must be eaten. The same porridge may be eaten again when the hunger is felt.
(vi) Sufficient amount of water should also be drunk for 3-4 hours after the practice. No other food, drink, sweets,milk products should be taken.
(vii) Medicines of any type are to be avoided for few days at least on the day of performing Shankhprakshalana.
(viii) Excessive movements involving excitement and tension or exposure to hot or cold environments must be avoided. The day should be spent by resting quiet. Strenuous walking, bathing, sports, outings, sitting under a fan or in an air-conditioned room must be strictly avoided.
(ix) All dairy products including milk, cheese, curd (yoghurt), sweets are strictly prohibited. Items like tea, coffee, processed and refined food; sour, bitter, pungent and spicy foods, seasoning of food with condiments such as chili, onion, garlic, egg, potatoes or any other underground vegetable, tomatoes and eggplant etc. aue strictly prohibited. Items such as fish, fowl, meat, alcohol and tobacco are prohibited.
(x) GIT-washing should be done on a clear sunny day. Otherwise there is likelihood of cough,cold or fever etc.
(xi) The GIT-washing should not be done during fever.
(xii) The patients suffering from ulcers, heart disease, blood pressure high or low, epilepsy and kidney failure should not perform GIT-washing except under medical as well as yogie supervision.
(xiil) On the day of GIT-washing, if head¬ache or vomiting sensation is felt, stomach and nose washing techniques followed by rest in the form of Corpse posture (Shavasana) should be performed.
Scientific Explanation of Benefits of Gut-Washing.
The continual movement of warm saltish water through the stomach and intestines, besides emptying the gastrointestinal tract of all its faecal contents alongwith the mucus lining encrusted over faeces, opens the various ducts or channels of flow including (a) the sphincter of odilocated at the junction where gall bladder joins the duodenum (b) channels for secretion of acids and enzymes within the stomach (c) the hormones from the pancreatic glands and (d) the channels for secretion of mudous from the mucosal lining of the stomach which indeed protects the inner lining of the stomach from its own acid secretion. The latter not only prevents but can cure peptic ulcers.
ii) The thorough cleansing of nearly twenty two to thirty feet of gastrointestinal tract from within permits the processes of absorption, assimilation and excretion to function optimally.
iii) In a clinical setting, the useful effects of GIT-washing are manifold for divergent conditions including diabetes, boils, acne, worms infestation, indigestion, chronic dysentery, constipation, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, cancer and so forth.
iv) The action of GIT-washing on the bowel is much more powerful than laxative and purgatives, which take more time to induce their effects, and are addictive.
v) The manipulation of the various organs of alimentary canal both mechanically from outside and neuro-logically from inside it in the form of internal stimulation of the various cavities of stomach, intestines and colon etc. besides intensifying the cleansing action, also affects the micro-structure, chemicals, enzymes and energy pathways at molecular level. In addition previously non-volitional body organs are brought into the field of conscious awareness.
vi) Salt used in GIT washing process reacts in the stomach where it mixes with acids and enzymes and forms a more diluted and less potent acid solution. Salt acts as a very potent and efficient means to dissolve the mucous and thus helps cleanse the intestinal linings.
vii) Salt used in small quantities also has a soothing effect on inflammed internal gastrointestinal linings.
viii) The amount of salt assimilated during GIT-washing is in fact quite small i.e. very little of it is absorbed and most of it is excreted through rectum
ix) Scientifically, a hypertonic or isoton-ic saline water is absorbed only in minor quantities in the intestines. On the contrary, it may even help extract osmotically, the fluids from the local areas. Thus, the hypertonic saltish water if taken through the alimentary canal in sufficient quantity (as is done during the act of GIT-washing), causes a water diarrhoea until eventually a clear watery solution is expelled through the rectum. While passing through the intestinal tract the solution takes up waste substances like urea and lactic’ acid which diffuse from the blood through the intestinal wall. Though, the intestinal inner membrane is less permeable, but this is compensated by a much higher-contact surface. In this manner, the induced water diarrhoea during the act of GIT-washing also turns out 10 be a practicable method of replacing the kidney function.
SHANKHAPRAKSHALANA AS ALTERNATIVE TO DIALYSIS
The act of practising GIT-washing process may, thus, work out to be a practicable, low cost alternative to dialysis, though as a temporary replacement, but most probably as a sufficient treatment alone for many kidney patients. GIT-washing may also serve as an effective and practicable approach for managing cases of cholera as the central theme of GIT-washing is to continuously supply the bowels from above with the liquid to be excreted from the body fluids in greater amounts.’This, thus, prevents . ================================
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