SHANKHAPRAKSHALANA
PURIFY YOUR ENTIRE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM & GET RID OF ACCUMULATED TOXINS
The human body starts to accumulate toxins from the moment
we are born. If the level of toxins increases to a dangerous level we are more
prone to sickness. The accumulated toxins in the body can be eliminated by
partaking in fasting and gastro intestinal cleansing.
The second week program can save the body from many
disorders such as gastritis, asthma, constipation, lethargy, indigestion and
lack of appetite. After this cleansing process the body feels light, internally
clean and benefits from a well functioning digestive system. Sadhana Yoga has
been offering this course from its very beginning. More than a thousand people
from all over the world have benefited from partaking in this program, which
can be completed in 1 to 6 days.
Program options:
1)Supplementing evening meal with 2 apples and the next
morning flushing the entire digestive tract.
2) One day fasting supplementing each meal with 2 apples and
the next morning flushing the entire digestive tract.
3)Two days of fasting
1st day- six apples
2nd day – three apples
3rd day- flushing
4)Three days of fasting
1st day- six apples
2nd day – three apples
3rd day- three glasses of juice
4th day- flushing
After flushing a special diet has been designed for between
1 and 3 days afterwards (depending on time available and individual response to
the treatment).
SHANKHAPRAKSHALANA
Before a worshiping
session, Hindus awaken the Gods by blowing into a horn called the conch. Conch
shells have the form of a multiple spiral arising from one point and opening
out into ever-widening spheres. It symbolizes the origin of existence.
In order to obtain a clear sound, water is poured from the
entrance of the conch shell and runs freely to the exit so that all impurities
are eliminated. This cleaning and washing process is called Shankhaprakshalana.
This process caught the attention of a yogi who made a link
between the conch and the human digestive system. If the conch can be purified
by water, why not the human body?
From this tradition arose the gastro-intestinal cleansing
concept. Nowadays, Shankhaprakshalana is not only applied to the conch but also
to the human body; it has become a gentle method of evacuating and cleansing
the entire alimentary canal, from mouth to anus. It could be seen as a natural
laxative which does not irritate your digestive track if the process if done
properly. The purpose of Shankhaprakshalana is to eliminate the accumulation of
toxic waste matter in the intestines, thereby purifying the digestive system
and the whole body.
Sadhana’s Cleansing
Routine
The first step is to drink 2 glasses of salty water as quick
as possible. Do not sip the water, think that it is apple juice and chug it
down, otherwise the process will take one day as opposed to 1 to 3 hours!
Then, you will be
performing 6 simple asanas, 8 times each, as well as 3 additional movements.
The aim of all these asana and movements is to massage your stomach, to help
the water to run down the various channels and to activate bowel movement.
Remember that these asanas, along with drinking and going to the toilet, should
be performed at a quick pace.
1. Palm tree
pose (Stretch up, feet together, breath in)
2. Swinging
tree (Side bent, legs apart, right and left)
3. Spine
twist (Arm twist, legs apart, right and left)
4. Abdominal
stretching (Squat-kneeling)
5. Side
twist (Lie on back, knees to chest, rock sideways)
6 Cobra
Additional exercises
7. Stand up,
lean forward and move your stomach in and out at a quick pace (3 times each,
until you are out of breath)
8. Gently
hit your stomach with your fists in a clockwise direction (+/- 1 min)
9. Jump high
and dance to the sounds of music! (+/- 1 min)
Go to the toilet whenever you need to but remember that
under no circumstances should you strain; let it come by itself. After having
gone to the toilet, pick up the routine where you left it.
Then repeat the process; drink 2 glasses of water, perform
the asanas and go to the toilet.
You might start having bowel movement after 6 glasses, 10
glasses, 20 glasses or more; it really depends on each individual. Do not
compare yourself with the others; go at your own pace.
In the first bowel movements you will probably evacuate
solid stool. Continue to drink and do your asanas and it will turn into a
mixture of water and stool. As you progress, there will be less excrement and
more water. At the end of the practice, you will merely release a brown or
yellow liquid. This is a sure sign that your intestines are almost perfectly
clean.
Some people finish in one hour, some finish in 4 hours. On
average, between 16 and 25 glasses of salt water must be taken in order to
cleanse your digestive system.
After Exercise
After completing shankhaprakshalana, you may feel thirsty or
tired. You must not drink any water (or other types of drinks) for at least
three hours after the exercise. Why not? Cold water tends to chill the
digestive system, especially since the digestive system has just been scrubbed
super clean. Furthermore, immediately after the exercise, your body will be
producing a protective layer on the stomach and intestinal wall. If you drink
water then the protective film will be scrubbed away, thereby making the
regeneration process more difficult (Saraswati, 1981).
You have to take 45 minutes of complete rest after
shankhaprakshalana. It is very important that you do not fall asleep. Just lie
or sit quietly and give your digestive system time to revitalize itself. You
and your digestive system need a well-earned rest… During this period, you
might find that you need to excrete more water from the bowels. Do not worry,
this is normal.
After this short rest, it is time to eat. The food must
consist of rice and dal cooked with ghee (clarified butter); this is known as
khicheri. You can eat as much of this “baby food” as you want for 2 days; you
need to fill up again your 9m of digestive track. This special food is
absolutely necessary to gently and effectively relubricate the whole digestive
system.
After your meal, remember that you should not sleep; wait at
least 3 hours after taking your food otherwise you will feel sluggish for the
rest of the day and the following day. You should not do gastro-intestinal
cleansing more than twice a year. Plus, allow a 6 month time interval inbetween
the practices.
Benefits and
Precautions
A great many disorders of the body are caused by
malfunctioning of the digestive system and an accumulation of toxic waste
matter in the intestines. This practice expels all impurities and thereby helps
to purify the blood system.
Shankhaprakshalana has been found to be useful for the
treatment of diabetes, hyperacidity, constipation, dysentery and many other
ailments connected with impure blood (Saraswati, 1981). It is to be noted also
that people suffering from peptic, duodenal ulcers should not do this practice
(Saraswati, 1981). Moreover, people with high blood pressure should not
practice alone; they should seek proper guidance.
In general, it is recommended to perform shankhaprakshalana
in a safe and clean place, under the supervision of a well-trained yoga
supervisor.
A healthy digestive system allows one to be optimistic and
cheerful whereas digestive troubles oftentimes lead to pessimism and
irritation. Yoga stresses the importance of maintaining the best possible
health of this system and shankhaprakshalana is definitely a step forward in
purifying your whole body.
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