How to Cleanse During Integral Yoga

Integral yoga is a holistic system that incorporates hatha, raja, karma, bhakti and jnana yoga. According to the ancient Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, hatha yoga provides six cleansing processes (kriya). Cleansing has a technical meaning for integral yoga, and each cleansing technique addresses specific physical issues. Spiritual benefits are central to all yoga practices.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yoga/Ayurveda health practitioner
• Neti pot
• Candle
• Cloth (advised by specialist)

1. 
    

   Cleanse the digestive tract and intestines with Dhauti, the first of Patanjali's cleansing techniques. Dhauti involves a long, wet cloth. Only attempt this with your yogi or Ayurvedic expert.

2. Aid digestion with Basti, a yogic enema that also relieves constipation and strengthens the solar plexus.

3. 
    

   Cleanse nasal passages with Neti. Neti utilizes either a wet thread (sutra neti) or a saline water nasal cleanse with a neti pot. Nasal cleansing relieves allergies, common colds and coughs.

4. 
    

   Focus with concentrated gazing on the tip of a candle flame. Known as trataka, this technique strengthens the eyes.

5. 
    

   Contract isolated abdominal muscles (nauli) to aid digestions and support the endocrine system.

6. 
    

   Exhale with quick and forceful gusts while simultaneously contracting your abdominal muscles. Known as kapalabhati, this breathing technique helps eliminate mucus.

Tips & Warnings

• Hatha yoga cleansing and Ayurveda are processes that require an expert in Integral Yoga and/or Ayurvedic healing.
• NEVER attempt any of the steps without an expert guide.

Resources

• Integral Yoga Studio
• Yogic Diet
• Yoga Basics
• Integral Yoga Magazine

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!