Bulletin of Faculty
of Physical Therapy
Mukhopadhyay
Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43161-023-00127-w
Open Access
NARRATIVE REVIEW
Shatkarma (six inner body cleansing
techniques): a way of disease-free life
Kishore Mukhopadhyay1*
Abstract
Background In the yogic tradition, this cleansing is known as shatkarma or shatkriyas. Kriyas or yogic cleansing
procedures are an important part of yoga as they help eliminate toxins accumulated in the system. Kriyas also help to
rejuvenate the body and put it in the proper condition for the proper functioning of yogasana and pranayama.
Purpose The purpose of the present qualitative study was to discuss in detail the various aspects of cleaning techniques (shatkarma) and their implication of disease-free life.
Findings The present article has discussed scientifically the various aspects of shatkarma or six cleansing techniques
and their importance in human health. The purification of inner bodily chambers is very important to detoxify our
body and remove waste materials. In order to bring balance to tri-dosh vata, pitta, and kapha and empower our internal systems such as blood circulation, digestion, respiratory system, and defense the role of shatkarma, one cannot be
ignored.
Conclusion Yoga is believed to increase the neurotransmitter dopamine (natural anti-depressant) and strengthen
your nervous system. A strong mind–body connection, a healthy body, and focusing inward can help towards greater
happiness. Most yoga practitioners report a huge reduction in the amount of hostility they feel as well as a sense of
control when anger and stress reduction. Moving tension out of the body, de-stressing, meditating, and breath control reduce stress considerably. Shatkarma removes impurities of the internal body, organs which got accumulated
by regular intake of external matter through different sensory organs. To make sure of the proper flow of prana (life
force), shatkarma ensures there is not any physical/mental knot present in nadis.
Keywords Tridosa (three body humor), Shatkarma (six purification technique), Health
Introduction
There is growing concern about the health effects of
environmental degradation. Biological changes affect
the functioning of the ecosystem and significant environmental disturbances can lead to life-sustaining environmental impact. The production of fortified food and
irrigation, fertilizer application, crop protection (pesticides), or the introduction of plant varieties and planting
*Correspondence:
Kishore Mukhopadhyay
kishore.km2007@gmail.com
1
Union Christian Training College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West
Bengal, India
patterns affect biodiversity and thus affect global nutritional status and human health. To facilitate the loss of
habitat, the extinction of species often increases the risk
to communities as a function of environmental health
acceptance (WHO Report) [1].
At the beginning of human life or on earth, God created the human mind pure and clean, full of all righteousness. It was the cleanness and purity of the human mind
that produced the best results of integrity in the world.
But in time, pollution began to enter the human mind
and body. Naturally, integrity is defined as a state of wellbeing centered on noble intentions. Cleaning is the process of removing impurities from an object, which may
adversely affect the quality of the item, or contaminate
This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply 2023. Open
Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation,
distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source,
provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this
article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is
not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the
permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativeco
mmons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
the actual quality. Cleansing one’s mind by remembering
the teachings of purity can enlighten us on chastity [2].
The concept of cleanness can be viewed in a broader
sense as physical and mental cleanliness. Ancient writings, such as “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” and “The Gheranda
Samhita,” describe concrete experiments aimed at the
creation and preservation of the purity (shaucha) mentioned by Patanjali. This experiment gave the name shatkarma (Sansk. shatkarman: shat, six; and karma, action).
Six actions mean 6 types of exercise aimed at maintaining
a healthy and specific concrete body for these psychologists and energy influences [3, 4].
Limbs, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc. can be termed as
external parts of the body. There are many more internal
organs in our body. We clean our external parts twice or
thrice a day or whenever any dust or dirt accumulates on
them. We do so because we see them. Then what about
internal organs? The dirt accumulated on or in them is
not visible, so we do not pay any attention to keep them
clean as we do for our external organs. Cleanliness of
internal organs or parts is much more important than the
external ones. Our saints and Yogis have prescribed many
processes to clean and remove out the unwanted matter
accumulated in the internal organs of the body. These may
be done either before or after practicing yogasanas [4].
Healing methods in yogic science are based upon insideout purification, holistically operating upon the mind,
body, and soul. Asana, physical exercises to attain this
purified state, and pranayama or breathing exercises to
build energy into the body are the two main supplementary techniques in yoga. Without proper cleansing, your
body and mind will never be ready to receive maximum
benefits from the yogic practices which are meant to propel the soul towards a higher sense of consciousness [5].
What is shatkarma (six purification techniques)?
Shatkarmas (Sanskrit: षटकर्म {ṣaṭkarma}, six literal acts),
also known as shatkriyas [6] is a set of purifying Hatha
yoga for the body, in preparation for the ultimate yoga
practice in relation to moksha (freedom). These practices, described by Svatmarama in Haṭha Yoga Pradipika
as kriya, are Neti, Dhauti, Nauli, Basti, Kapalabhati, and
Traṭaka [6–9].
The Haṭha Ratnavali cites two other purifiers, Cakri
and Gajakarani, criticizing Hatha Yoga Pradipika for
describing only the other six [5]. Their aim is to remove
“excessive pollution,” cure various ailments, and prepare
the body pranayama, to trap air or prana of vital energy
in the central sushumna station, allowing the kundalini to rise, thus gaining moksha, freedom [9]. The purpose of performing these actions is to create harmony
between the vast flow of pranic energy, Ida and Pingala,
thus achieving physical and mental purity and balance.
Page 2 of 12
These practices are also used before pranayama and other
advanced yoga practices to cleanse the body of toxins.
Shatkarmas are made to promote the health of yogis,
directing energy to the body and deep mind [10]. Swami
Swatmarama, the author of Hatha Yoga, HYP’s ancient
writings have determined the shatkarma practice of only
these people:
People with excess fat or mucus accumulate in the
body, where there is inequality, it comes with doshas.
Apart from this, the sequence of each shatkarma practice
in HYP is mentioned in this verse:
Dhautirbastistathā netistrātakam naulikam tathā
Kapālabhātiśchaitāni shatkarmāni prachakshate—
HYP 2.23
Meaning — Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka, Nauli, and
Kapalabhati are called shatkarma.
Sage Gheranda is another prominent author of Hath
Yoga teaching who emphasized the practice of shatkarma
in the first phase of yoga.
Yoga Sage Gheranda is also distributed as Ghatastha
Yoga with seven limbs, unlike the yoga with eight limbs
[11] from the Yoga Sutra [12]. The seven parts mentioned in the Gheranda Samhita are as follows: according to Sage Gheranda, our body and mind are like a ship
(a compound called Ghata) that carries our soul and our
gunas [13] signals like water inside a ship.
Ghatastha Yoga for the first time aims to cleanse the
body or vessel that carries the soul, using six cleansing
methods containing shatkarma.
Therefore, the practice of shatkarma is important for
everyone who should start a yoga journey according to
Gheranda Samhita.
Gheranda Samhita is a step-by-step guide on the subject of yoga taught by expert Gheranda [14]. Unlike other
hatha yoga texts, the Gheranda Samhita mentions yoga in
seven stages [15, 16],
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shatkarma for cleansing the body
Asana for fitness
Mudra for strengthening the body
Pratyahara dementia
Pranayama indoor light
Dhyana from an internal perspective
Samadhi
Gheranda, the author of Gherandasamhita, has even
reached the point of declaring the practice of purification procedures as a form of Nadi shodhana (Gh. S. V/36,
37). He called it the process of “nirmanu Nadishodhana.”
However, from an analytical point of view, all yoga practices are a form of purification in some way as it contains
the concept of purification [17].
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
“Dhautir-vastis-tatha netir, tratakam, Naulikam
tatha;
Kapal-bhatis-c-aitani, Sat-karmani samacaret !!
(Sloka 12- Gheranda-Samhita, Part 1) [18].
The body is cleansed with the help of the following six
procedures:
(1) Dhouti, (2) Basti, (3) Neti, (4) Loukiki (nauli), (5)
Trataka, and (6) Kapal bhati.
These shatkarma that make body cleansing have several
effects, are amazing, and highly regarded by the prominent yogis [18].
Purpose:
The purpose of shatkarma is to:
• Bring balance to tri-dosh vata, pitta, and kapha
• Bring balance to mind and body processes.
• Balance pranic flow through Ida and Pingala Nadi.
From there to encourage the flow of Sushumna
Nadi.
• To remove toxins from our bodies.
• To cleanse our body internally and keep the body
healthy.
• Empowering our internal systems such as blood
circulation, digestion, respiratory system, and
defense.
Table 1 Points of difference in shatkarma and panchakarma
Page 3 of 12
Shatkarma (cleansing procedures in yoga)
and panchakarma (Ayurveda)
We have therefore seen that yogic cleansing procedures
work physically at a deeper level but at the same time,
we must remember that cleansing procedures have
spiritual benefits, in addition to the above, both physical and mental.
As mentioned, the yogic value of cleansing procedures is reduced compared to that of panchakarma
[17]. These panchakarmas according to Aurveda are:
•
•
•
•
•
Vamana
Virechana
Basti
Nasya
Raktamokshana
In these five karmas, we have some of the most widely
used names in panchakarma and shatkarma (six purification procedures). But we must not forget that these
practices are available in two different categories. One
associates with the system of treatment (Ayurveda) and
another system of Freedom or Samadhi. A comparative
difference in their use and approach is therefore presented here. His views on panchakarma and shatkarma
are discussed in Table 1.
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
Tridosha
Common sense does not support the notion that life
exists when there is a balance between basic body jokes
or a dosha called vata, pitta, and kapha.
Vata is the air system needed to integrate the functioning of the nervous system. Pitta is a fire system that
uses bile to regulate the process of digestion and therefore the body gets fuel from the venous system. Kapha
is a water system that deals with nutrients, digestion,
and nutrients that carry to the vascular system.
Dosha is a word derived from the root dus, which is
equivalent to the original English word “dys,” such as
dysfunction and dystrophy. In this sense, dosha can be
considered a mistake or a violation of a cosmic rhythm.
Doshas are always looking for a solid balance, one by
one. Dosha needs to make life possible. In Ayurveda,
dosha is also known as the supreme monarchy as all living things in nature are represented by dosha [18, 19].
Everyone is different and, in the same way, our bodies contain different energies. Ayurveda shows that the
road to good health is different for different people,
depending on their physical condition. Tridosa is the
science of understanding the nature of our body or the
power developed by balancing the doshas [20].
Tridosha is made up of 5 elements (mahabhutas) air,
ether, fire, water, and earth. Each body is made up of
these five elements. When inequality occurs, it means
the domination of any other doshas [21]. Table 2 shows
the relationship among tridoshas, five elements, and
trigunas.
Page 4 of 12
• Vyana vata controls all physical features and is positioned within the heart.
• Udana vata is located within the chest location and
controls the vocal and cognitive capabilities.
• Samana vata is present within the stomach and regulates digestive strategies.
• Apana vata controls all urination through the urinary
tract and is positioned in the anus vicinity.
Pitta—metabolic dosha [23–25]
Shaped with the aid of a combination of earth and water,
pitta dosha controls all of the methods involved in body
composition and intellectual and bodily adjustments.
Dosha’s primary activities consist of digestion and persevering for the need of the body. Pitta dosha is further
divided into five sub-doshas, such as:
• Ranjak pitta produces rakta or blood and is located
inside the stomach.
• Bhrajak pitta controls skin color and is found on the
skin.
• Aalochak pitta is visually impaired and controls
imagination and prescient.
• Sadhak pitta is present inside the coronary heart and
controls the intellectual capability of the body.
• Pachak pitta regulates digestive characteristics and
is discovered within the duodenum part of the small
intestine.
Vata—the dos catabolic [23–25]
This dosha is made up of a mixture of air and space.
Dosha controls the glide of neural dreams. Additionally,
vata did an excellent task of controlling the alternative
doshas. Dosha’s first awareness is usually to maintain
balance among all three aspects. Similarly, vata dosha
has five sub-doshas, such as:
• Prana vata is placed within the head and controls the
nerves.
Table 2 The relationship among tridoshas, five elements, and
trigunas [22]
Satta
Akasha
Vata
Vayu
Rajas
Vayu
Pitta
Teja
Tamas
Jala
Prithvi
Kapha
Kapha‑anabolic dosha [23–25]
Soil and water collectively make kapha, an anabolic
dosha. Kapha dosha’s most critical characteristic is to
offer mental and bodily energy. Dosha additionally controls the amount of water within the body and replenishes those elements up to the cellular level. Dosha
additionally performs a critical position on the psychological degree while it is linked to feelings such as jealousy and love. Kapha is divided into five sub-categories:
• Kledak kapha is located within the belly and is used
for digestion.
• Shleshak kapha is found in all body components and
controls the flexion of the joints.
• Bodhak kapha is placed within the flavor bud and
acts further.
• Tarpak kapha is found in the head and controls intelligence.
• Avalambak kapha is present inside the chest and
lubricates the coronary heart and throat.
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
Shatkarma
The tonicity can be of three types: hypotonic, hypertonic,
and isotonic. Hypertonic means less proportion of solutes inside the solvent, the hypertonic answer has extra,
and the isotonic answer has the specified share of solutes
within the solution [26, 27].
On occasion, we drink hypotonic solution for the duration of the practice of kriya, which reasons exosmosis and
results in shrinking of the organic membrane, whereas
hypertonic solution reasons endosmosis [26] and consequences in bulging out of the cells. In both cases, there
are expected cell accidents.
However, every time importance may be given for
isotonic solution throughout the cellular membrane,
and whilst the solution moves inside the gut, the impact
is 0 water drift among the two cases, i.e., answer in the
intestine and in cellular, despite the fact that water is
transferring both approaches. In biology, some cells
should be maintained in an isotonic way to support cell
features, therefore, the isotonic answer is constantly
Fig. 1 Shatkarma (cleansing technique) [9, 28]
Fig. 2 Jala neti and sutra neti [32, 33]
Page 5 of 12
advised for the duration of the practice ensuring most
cleansing within the meals pipe and produces flushing
effect for higher cleansing [25]. The shatkarma or six
cleansing technique is shown in Fig. 1.
Neti—cleaning of nasal passages
Neti (Sanskrit: नेती neti) is an essential part of shatkarma
(every so often known as shatkriya), the yogic way of
body cleaning techniques. It can have standard procedures, regardless of religion. It is intended specially to
clean the air passageways inside the head. Both the
Hatha Yoga Pradipika and other resources [29, 30] typically describe Neti. It affects physiologically and spiritually one’s body, mind, and personality [30, 31]. The 2
foremost variants are jala neti (जलनेतत), the usage of
water, and the greater advanced sutra neti (सूत्रनेतत), the
use of string (Fig. 2).
The practice of Neti is similarly divided into 4, Jala
(water), Sutra (catheter), Dugdha (milk), and Ghrita
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
(ghee). Besides sutra neti, the last 3 neti practices
require a neti pot, and sutra neti requires a cotton
thread immersed in wax or ghee [31, 34].
Jala neti
For this approach, sterilized and lukewarm isotonic salt
water is poured into one nose, in order that it leaves
through the alternative. The manner is then repeated
on the other side, and the nostril is dried by using
bending ahead and with the aid of speedy respiratory.
It is also possible to sniff the water in order that it runs
into the mouth and to spit it out. In a superior reverse
version, the water is taken in through the mouth and
snorted out of the nostril [31, 34].
Sutra neti
Sutra neti is a sophisticated shape of yogic nasal cleaning and requires an experienced instructor. Sensations
of gagging, nausea, and weak spot may additionally
arise. In case of continual blockage after jala neti,
sutra neti should simply be completed after a scientific
session.
Sutra means thread, and neti or niti refers to a prescribed system or process. This is defined as “yoga for
cleaning your sinuses” and is ideal to alleviate a blocked
nostril, ease headache, sinusitis, and so on. Sutra Neti
requires the insertion of a thread or a special type of
rubber tube into the nose in a way that it comes out of
the mouth. This thread then dislodges mucous and particles and facilitates clear nasal passages. It is also noted
that while moving common nasal passages, the string
can remove nasal polyps with the aid of this approach.
It is advised that this kriya be practiced early morning
approximately the identical time as one brushes their
teeth. It is used to clean the nose and additionally to
put off nasal polyps [31, 34].
Physiological effects
In Sanskrit, the proper meaning of Neti is not always
found but for our understanding [35], Neti is all
approximately the cleaning of the nasal cavity.
All four practices of Neti help in cleansing the nasal
cavity and therefore ensure the cleansing of the frontal,
ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses. The sinuses
are porous in nature and they preserve the air in them;
however, retention of water within the sinuses causes
many headaches inclusive of sinusitis [36, 37].
Page 6 of 12
• Neti helps to recover the body’s natural mechanisms towards respiratory problems which include
sore throats, coughs, and postnasal drips.
• It cures issues related to the eyes and ears consisting of sure sorts of deafness, tinnitus, and myopia.
• In case you exercise superior degrees of neti, it works
wonders for throat infections. It enables to establish
the body’s natural mechanisms towards breathing
problems consisting of sore throats and coughs.
• It stimulates higher powers of visualization and
attention and gives a feeling of mindful thoughts.
• It has a soothing effect on the brain, so it offers remedies from headaches, migraine, depression, intellectual tensions or even epilepsy, hysteria, and so on.
• It is very powerful for meditation as it is related to
the olfactory bulb and Ajna Chakra in yoga.
• It helps to quit smoking; it reduces mouth respiration
and re-sensitizes the nostril to the indecency and discomfort of consuming smoke and, additionally, remedies snoaring at some point of sleep [32, 33, 37, 38]
Dhauti
Dhauti is one of the shatkarmas (or shatkriyas), it is
mainly related with the cleaning of the digestive tract but
it affects also the breathing tract, outside ears, and eyes.
In the eighteenth century, according to Gheranda Samhita, it is divided into four parts: Antara (internal) Dhauti,
Danta (teeth) Dhauti, Hrida (cardiac or chest location)
Dhauti, and Mula Shodhana (rectal cleansing) [39–43].
Antar (internal) dhauti [43, 44]
Vatsara dhauti/Bahiskrut is an advanced technique, swallowing air into the stomach and increases the gastric fire.
Varisara dhauti (aka shankhaprakshalana), evacuating a
huge quantity of water thru the bowels. It may be in addition subdivided into laghoo shankhaprakshalana, a quick
form in which simplest six glasses of warm saline water are
taken and expelled, and poorna shankhaprakshalana, the
full shape in which sixteen glasses are taken and expelled.
Vahnisara dhauti (aka agnisara kriya), swiftly breathing
in and out whilst simultaneously increasing and contracting the abdomen improves agni/fire that is dormant and
it sensitizes the digestive stimulation.
Danta (tooth) dhauti [44–46]
Neti kriya benefits
• Immediately alleviation from breathing issues like
sinusitis, hypersensitive reaction, asthma, and hay
fever.
Danta mula is the cleaning of teeth by way of usual
methods.
Jihva mula, cleansing the tongue,
Kapalrandhra, cleaning the forehead, nasal polyps.
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
Karna dhauti, cleansing the ears which improves the
energy of the auditory canal.
Hrid (stomach and lungs region) dhauti [44–46]
• Vaman dhauti/gajakarni(aka vyaghra kriya), earlier, it
is known as kunjal kriya, on an empty stomach drinking a maximum quantity of water and vomits. Plesum, sputum, pores and skin, and spleen, nearly 20
varieties get cured with the aid of this dhouti (Fig. 4).
Vaman dhauti involves drinking of luke isotonic solution and vomiting them out which ensures fitness
functions of the upper part of the track. The practice
enables commencing up the sphincter, inhibiting the
extra gastric secretions, encouraging peristalsis, and
many others. Most of these capabilities of the digestive tract are accomplished due to the activation of
the vagus nerve [39, 40].
• Danda dhauti, cleansing the esophagus from the
throat to the stomach, with the help of putting a
particularly organized turmeric or cane stick. Now
a day’s rubber tube is used, Swami Kuvalyanand has
invented this tube for a hygiene point of view. This
tube is inserted in the stomach after consumption of
water, water begins coming from the stomach, and a
vacuum is created which is termed as Swami Madhav
das vacuum [39, 40].
Fig. 3 Vaman Dhauti and Bastra Dhauti [44, 45]
Fig. 4 Nauli kriya [56]
Page 7 of 12
• Vastra dhauti, cleaning the belly via swallowing an
extended skinny strip of moist cloth which is 4 inches
wide and 22 ft in length. Sit in kagasana position and
swallowing the cloth gently and pass it into the stomach.
For practicing, it needs 20 min of duration, the pyloric
wall in the duodenum opens and closes so the material does not save inside the belly for an extended time.
While disposing of the cloth, take it out very lightly drink
water if required and do it in a relaxed shape (Fig. 3).
Benefit [45, 47]
1. Elimination of excess slime from respiratory tracts
(catarrhal diseases at completion stages, bronchial
asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, allergic
reactions, [42–44]).
2. Stimulation of work of the stomach and intestines.
Stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and enzymes of
the pancreas (at the insufficient activity of digestion).
3. Activity regulation of the biliary system, gall bladder,
and pancreas (dyskinesia of bile duct, hypofunction
of a gall bladder).
Moola shodhana [48]
It is better to practice in the morning, on an empty stomach. It can be practiced in a particulate time with an
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
empty stomach once a month or daily courses for getting
faster benefits. Hrid dhauti is further categorized into 3
types, vastra (cloth), danda (stick), and vamana (water
vomiting). Vastra dhauti involves swallowing a cotton
material which facilitates in getting rid of excess phlegm
produced by the higher gastrointestinal tract (git). Danda
dhauti calls for a banana stem and putting the equal and
helps an aspirant to remedy the excess production of the
gastric mucosa. Vaman dhauti involves drinking luke
isotonic solution and vomiting them out which ensures
fitness functions of upper git. The practice enables commencing up the sphincter, inhibiting the extra gastric
secretions, encouraging peristalsis, and many others.
Most of these capabilities of the git are accomplished due
to the activation of the vagus nerve.
At some stage in the practice of moola shodhana, a soft
turmeric root is used after pealing out it. This root is used
as turmeric has antiseptic assets. This is one of the practices to get rid of the complications such as fistula, piles,
and hemorrhoids. This exercise also ensures a healthful
rectum, and as a consequence, a small little spread of
microorganisms to the gust and other parts of the frame
can be prevented.
Basti kriya [49–51]
Basti is a crucial shatkarma, a yogic purification, intended
to smooth the lower stomach, specifically the colon. The
hatha yoga pradipika and other resources used it for
many beneficial effects. There are two approaches to perform basti [52]:
• Sthala basti (aka sushka basti or vata basti), cleans the
colon through sucking air within the body without
the help of any catheter or tube.
• Jala basti (aka “vati basti”) cleans the colon through
sucking water into the anus via a pipe. The hatha yoga
pradipika states that the pipe form of basti destroys
swelling of the abdomen and illnesses of the spleen
amongst different illnesses.
Technique [53]
1. Sit in a bathtub full of water. The water has to reach
up to the navel. Preferably this is performed in a river
with a mild go with the flow of water.
2. Bend ahead and positioned the fingers at the knees.
3. One wishes for some exercise. Try and amplify the
sphincter muscles of the anus and strive to tug water
up into the rectum. This could be tough inside the
beginning. Uddhiyana bandha or drawing the belly
internally and upwards enables in this procedure.
Those who have mastered nauli can also carry out
Page 8 of 12
nauli alongside uddiyana bandha to attract the water
upwards.
4. Preserve the water within the bowels for a while after
which expel it through the anus.
5. Repeat this method, till the bowels are fully smooth.
Due to the fact that this technique can be difficult
inside the starting, some practitioners insert a rubber or
plastic tube into the anus to make it less difficult.
Basti kriya benefits
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Replenishes the bowels
Therapies digestive disorders
Balances the doshas
Complements pores and skin tone
Stimulates sun plexus
Acts as a remedial practice
At some stage in this exercise, a bad stress is advanced
within the intra-abdominal cavity which draws water to
the big gut through the anus. In lots of instances, a straw
is inserted into the anus for clean pulling of the water.
At some point of sthala, alternatively, of water, the air
is sucked into the big gut and cleanses the massive gut
by producing the nice strain of air in the said parts and
expels out the fecal matter by way of pushing the entire
amount of air through the anus. Each jala and sthala
make certain healthy gut [50–53]
Nauli
The meaning of Nauli is abdominal massaging [54, 55].
Thus, the practice involves isolating the rectus abdominis
muscles. When we isolate this muscle at the right side
is called Dakshina nauli, at the left is Vama, and at the
center is called Madhyama. This particular practice
strengthens the secretions of gastric juice including the
endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas. Nauli
helps in improving the blood supply to the peripheral
part of the stomach as it increases the negative pressure
within the abdominal cavity (Fig. 4).
Abdominal Massage by means of reduction and isolation of direct muscles of the stomach and the process
associated with nauli is agnisara dhauti and the uddiyana
bandha.
There are three types of nauli:
• Madhyama nauli — allocation of a median muscle of
a stomach
• Vama nauli — reduction of the left rectus abdominis
muscle (rotation from left to right)
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
• Dakshina nauli — reduction of the right rectus
abdominis muscle (rotation from right to left)
Benefit [54–56]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Improvement of venous outflow,
Stimulation of a large intestine,
Strengthening of respiratory muscles,
Stimulation of peripheral blood circulation,
Inclusion of the parasympathetic nervous system
(calm, relaxation),
Lowering of arterial pressure,
Improvement of blood circulation in pelvic organs,
Stimulation of the endocrine system (hypofunction
of the pancreas and liver),
Stimulation of systems of allocation, and
Bile-expelling effect (dyskinesia of bilious channels,
hypofunction of a gall bladder)
Chakra involved in nauli
All yogic kriyas affect chakras in our body in a certain way,
Like Kapalbhati kriya is said to key in the awakening of the
third eye chakra, which is the door of spiritual awareness
of an individual. With the help of nauli kriya, a person can
stimulate their Navel Chakra (manipura chakra).
The Manipura chakra is the storehouse of vital life
energy present in the human body, i.e., prana. The
activation of this chakra helps to get clairvoyance and
mindfulness, boosts metabolism, and strengthens the
immune system [56].
Kapalbhati [57]
Kapalabhati (Sanskrit: कपालभातत, romanized: kapalabhati),
also referred to as breath of hearth, [57] is a vital shatkarma, a purification in hatha yoga. The word kapalabhati is made from Sanskrit words: kapalos angeles
meaning “cranium,” and bhati meaning “shining, illuminating.” It is intended specifically for cleaning the sinuses
following the path as described with the gheranda samhita [58, 59]. The technique of kapalabhati [59, 60] entails
short and robust forceful exhalations and inhalation happens mechanically. There are 3 types of kapalabhati [59]:
• Vatakrama kapalabhati, an exercise just like the pranayama method of bhastrika, besides that exhalation
is lively while inhalation is passive, the opposite of
ordinary respiration.
• Vyutkrama kapalabhati, a practice just like jala neti,
involves sniffing water through the nostrils and let-
Page 9 of 12
ting it glide down into the mouth, after which spitting it out.
• Sheetkrama kapalabhati may be taken into consideration as the opposite of vyutkrama kapalabhati, wherein water is taken through the mouth and
expelled through the nostril.
Procedure [59]
Backbone erects, chin parallel to the ground, and place
your palms to your knees dealing with downwards. Do
normal breathing few rounds and loosen up.
Now inhale and exhale through your nose; the kapalabhati method incorporates short and robust forceful exhalation and inhalation (passive inhalation). Each inhalation
and exhalation count should be identical. Make sure your
belly and chest region both are stable with no conscious
movement.
All 3 types of kapalbhati practices are suitable for activating the frontal lobe that’s noted in hatha yoga as kapala.
Exercise of kapalbhati causes extra removal of carbon
dioxide and builds up oxygen within the peripheral tissue of the brain. More supply of oxygen causes top-rated
metabolism in the forebrain which is otherwise referred to
as shinning of the brain in colloquial words of hatha yoga.
Benefits of kapalbhati [59–62]
• This respiration workout is particularly for cleansing
the facial sinuses.
• Bloodstream and oxygenation of the entire face is
improved.
• Long-time benefits encompass slows down the growing older manner and enables to calm the facial
nerves and relaxes the facial muscle mass. Rejuvenates tired cells, helping in lowering wrinkles and different symptoms of getting older.
• A healthy natural skin glow of the face is seen in case
you practice often.
• Reduces sinusitis and migraine assault frequency.
• Serves as a therapeutic tool to remedy anemia
• Cleanses the eyes ducts and imaginative and prescient is stepped forward
• The experience of odor is progressed and aids digestion.
• The lymphatic system and thyroid functions are benefitted.
Trataka
The phrase trataka is coined from the text of Sanskrit
(त्राटक). This means that gaze, or to look, or set your gaze
to a selected item (like a candle, black dot, sky, moon).
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
The importance of fixed staring at (trataka) is mentioned
within the hatha yoga as well as in gherand samhita. Generally, trataka is easy to do however very effective
approach and is one of the six cleansing practices (shatkarma -cleansing method). Trataka is a method of hatha
yoga in which you need to restore your eyes to a specific
point, item, or on a flame of a candle. In easy words,
yogic gazing is a special type of meditation in yoga by
means of which you may enhance your awareness. It
gives the electricity of self-actualization, increases your
spirituality stage, and gives you the feeling of tranquility
[62–66] (Fig. 5).
Meditation is categorized into two elements [25]:
1. Bahiranga trataka (outer gazing)
2. Antranga trataka (inward observing).
Page 10 of 12
set your attention on anybody’s chakra. Third eye or ajna
chakra is first-class for focusing.
Trataka is totally based on scientific fact. The movement of our eyeballs reflects our thinking process.
While practicing Trataka, one has to focus on a particular object. Due to focusing on a specific object, random
thoughts are very less or vanished out and our eyeballs
become steadier. There is a unique connection between
the movement of the eyeball and in our mental state. One
can easily see this on an EEG machine. During the practice of fixed gazing (trataka), you have to forcefully set
your eyes on a specific object or point by doing this you
can get a steady focused mind. Throughout the process,
your random or negative thoughts have become less and
your unstable mind is under control.
Benefits of Trataka [65, 66]
Watching a candle flame is the maximum not unusual
manner of trataka. In a simple shape of constant observing, there is one essential point, that in this, you should
now not blink your eyes at some point of the practice.
• Outer gazing (bahiranga trataka)
In this yogic looking at the technique, you need to
focus on an outer item, which means the one’s object,
who are a gift and without problems seen by our eyes.
Gazing at a sky, flame of a candle, a selected photograph,
or a point coming below the outer watching method. The
main thing is that you do not need to shut your eyes. You
need to set your eyes on a specific item or on a factor.
• Inward gazing (antranga trataka)
Inward gazing is totally opposite to outer observing.
Or one may additionally say that it is the superior level
of trataka. As soon as a learner is secure with the primary one then he/she go for inward observing. In this
approach of trataka, you need to focus inwardly method
Fig. 5 Trataka practice [65]
• A splendid method to prepare yourself for a meditation with a mantra. Boosts your intelligence, attention, and memory also.
• Trataka is a very powerful in addition to a powerful
approach to increase imagination and prescient and
eyesight. It corrects all of the troubles associated with
the eyes.
• Strength of mind and self-confidence is the maximum important aspect within the person, and trataka improves self-control and self-confidence.
• Trataka is a nice technique for anger control. Soothes
your thoughts and offers silence and inner peace.
• Yogic observing is nice for insomnia, headache, and
remedies sleep-associated disorder.
• Yogic looking at relaxed thoughts create an excellent
productiveness and efficiency at paintings.
• Growth and makes you good at choice-making by
giving clarity in your mind.
• Trataka overcomes your emotional and behavioral issues and helps you to overcome your mental
problems.
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
• By yogic observing you sense stress-unfastened and
relaxed all day.
Conclusion
Yoga is believed to increase the neurotransmitter dopamine (natural anti-depressant) and strengthen your
nervous system. A strong mind-body connection, a
healthy body, and focusing inward can help towards
greater happiness. Most yoga practitioners report a huge
reduction in the amount of hostility they feel as well as
a sense of control when anger flares, stress reduction,
moving tension out the body, de-stressing, meditating
and breathing control reduce stress considerably. The
concentration required during yoga focuses your attention on the now. It helps take you away from your problems. In most exercises, the sympathetic nervous system
kicks in giving you that fight-or-flight sensation. Yoga
does the opposite and stimulates the parasympathetic
system, also known as the “relaxing system”, this helps
lower blood pressure and slows the pace of your breathing which helps relaxation and healing.
To purify their inner body organs from time to time
so as to make sure the proper working of yogic practices on the body. Shatkarma removes impurities of the
internal body, organs which got accumulated by regular intake of external matter through different sensory
organs. To make sure the proper flow of Prana (life
force) shatkarma ensures there is not any physical/mental knot present in nadis. The present article discussed
in detail the various aspects of cleaning techniques
(shatkarma) and their implication of disease-free life.
Author’s contributions
The author read and approved the final manuscript.
Funding
Not applicable.
Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.
Declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent of publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The author declares that he has no competing interests.
Received: 20 August 2021 Accepted: 14 April 2023
Page 11 of 12
References
1. Biodiversity and Health. 2015, https://www.who.int/news-room/factheets/detail/biodiversity-and-health. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
2. Igweolisa Sunday Nebeolisa-Igwe. The Purification Theory. 2020 https://
medium.com/@nebeolisai/the-purification-theory-608ffbf04eba.
Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
3. Cleaning technicians in Hatha yoga. Shatkarma. 2016, https://en.oum.ru/
articles/yoga/cleaning-technicians-in-hatha-yoga-shatkarma/. Accessed
3 Mar 2020.
4. Swathi P.S, Raghavendra BR and Saoji AA, 2020, Health and therapeutic
benefits of Shatkarma: a narrative review of scientific studies, J Ayurveda
Integr Med. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.11.008.
5. These techniques and their practice are outlined in considerable
detail by Swami Rama in his two volume set: Rama, Swami. (1988).
Path of Fire and Light, Volume I: Advanced Practices of Yoga; Volume
II: A Practical Companion to Volume I. Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Himalayan Institute Press.
6. Mallinson J, Singleton M. (2017). Roots of Yoga. Penguin Books. pp. xxviii–
xxxii, 46, 49–50, 71–79. ISBN 978–0–241–25304–5. OCLC 928480104.
7. Shatkarmas - Cleansing Techniques, in Yoga Magazine, a publication
of Bihar School of Yoga, 1991.
8. Muktibodhananda S. Hatha Yoga Pradipika. New Delhi India: Thomson
Press India, for The Yoga Publications Trust; 1985.
9. Yoga Swami Svatmarama. Hatha yoga pradipika, The Aquarian Press 1992,
https://terebess.hu/english/HathaYogaPradipika2.pdf. Accessed 3 Mar
2020.
10. Shatkarma: 6 Hatha Yoga Kriyas for Purification and Their Benefits,
2021, http://arogyayogaschool.com/blog/health-benefits-of-shatkarmaspurification-methods-in-yoga/. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
11. Patanjali’s 8 Limbs of Yoga: A Detailed Explanation, 2019. https://www.
fitsri.com/yoga/8-limbs-yoga/page/2. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
12. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 2022, https://www.anahana.com/en/yoga/yogasutras-of-patanjali. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
13. Murthy Pannaga K. and Kiran Kumar SK, 2007, Concept triguna: a critical
analysis and synthesis, Psychological Studies, 52, No. 2.
14. Rosen SJ 2011, Food for the Soul: Vegetarianism and Yoga Traditions.
ABC-CLIO. pp. 28–29. ISBN 978–0–313–39704–2.
15. Mallinson J 2004, The Gheranda Samhita: The Original Sanskrit and an
English Translation. Yoga Vidya. pp. ix–xvii, 1–2, 16–18, 60–61, 86–91,
113–116, 119–123. ISBN 978–0–9716466–3–6.
16. Stephens M 2011, Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques.
North Atlantic. pp. 17–20.
17. Sahay GS, Cleansing Processes Hathayogapradipika and Gheranda Samhita - Part 1,2017 https://yogicheritage.myfreesites.net/articles/cleansingprocesses-hathayogapradipika-and-gheranda-samhita-part-1. Accessed 3
Mar 2020.
18. Hankey A. Establishing the Scientific Validity of Tridosha. Ancient Sci Life.
2010, 29(No.3):6 -18.
19. Savita and Ashok Kumar Sharma. Concept of tridosha theory: a critical
review. Int J Creative Res Thoughts. 2021; 9(Issue 1).
20. Jaiswal YS, Williams LL. A glimpse of Ayurveda - the forgotten history
and principles of Indian traditional medicine. J Trad Complement Med.
2017;7:50–3.
21. Vandana V, Agrawal S, Gehlot S. Possible measures to assess functional
states of tridosha: a critical review. Int J Health Sci Res. 2018; 8 (1):219.
22. Singh R.H. 2014, The basic tenets of Ayurvedic dietetics and nutrition. In:
Rastogi, S. (eds) Ayurvedic Science of Food and Nutrition. Springer, New
York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9628-1_2; https://www.fitsri.
com/yoga/shatkarma. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
23. Heinrich M, Barnes J, Gibbons S, Williamson E. Churchill Livingstone;
Edinburgh: 2004. Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytopharmacy,.
24. Pooja K, 2020, A glimpse of Ayurveda – The forgotten history and
principles of Indian traditional medicine, https://medium.com/@pooja
arti19971210_52928/a-glimpse-of-ayurveda-the-forgotten-history-andprinciples-of-indian-traditional-medicine-9ee2c7d5228e. Accessed 3 Mar
2020.
25. Patra SK. Physiological effect of Kriyas: Cleansing techniques. Int J Yoga Philosop Psychol Parapsychol. 2017;5:3–5.
26. Kramer EM, Myers DR. Five Popular Misconceptions about osmosis. Am J
Phys. 2012;80(8):694–9.
Mukhopadhyay Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
(2023) 28:22
27. Hall JE, Guyton AC. Text Book of Medical Physiology. 13th ed. California,
USA: Saunders Publisher; 2015.
28. Shatkarma – 6 Yoga Cleansing Techniques & Their Benefits, 2020, https://
beinks.com/shatkarma-yoga-cleansing-techniques/?v=c86ee0d9d7ed.
Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
29. Mallinson J. The Gheranda Samhita: The original Sanskrit and an English
transalation. 1st ed. Woodstock, NY; 2004. https://rarebooksocietyofindia.
org/book_archive/196174216674_10153333728461675. Accessed 3 Mar
2020.
30. Naragatti S and Vadraj HS, Neti K. Enhances the nasal functions. J Curr
Med Res Opin. 2022; 05(08): 1281–1283.
31. Abhiswashan Bhap A, Jal Neti and Bhastrika Beyond Nasal Cleaning in
COVID 19, Era, ACTA SCIENTIFIC Otolaryngology. 2020; 2 Issue 9.
32. Sutra Neti – What is it and What are the Benefits? February 10, 2017 by
yogacentral, https://yogacentral.in/2017/02/10/sutra-neti-benefits/.
33. Yoga’s Jal Neti may help you fight the COVID-19 pandemic effectively,
2021, https://ebnw.net/health/yogas-jal-neti-may-help-you-fight-thecovid-19-pandemic-effectively/. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
34. Taspinar B, Aslan UB, Agbuga B, Taspinar F. A comparison of the effects of
hatha yoga and resistance exercise on mental health and well-being in
sedentary adults: a pilot study. Complement Ther Med. 2014;22(3):433–
40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.03.007.
35. The Jala neti booklet, 2014, https://vdocuments.net/jala-neti.html.
36. Muktiboshananda S. Hatha Yoga Pradipika. 3rd ed. Munger, Bihar: Yoga
Publication Trust; 1998.
37. Meera S, Rani MM, Sreedhar C, Robin DT. A review on the therapeutic
effects of Neti Kriya with special reference to Jala Neti. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2018.
06.006. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
38. Swathi PS, Raghavendra BR, Saoji AA. Health and therapeutic benefits of
Shatkarma: a narrative review of scientific studies. Journal of Ayurveda and
integrative medicine. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2020.11.008.
39. Priyanka S. Dhauti: internal cleansing, Eur J Biomed Pharm Sci.
2023;2(5):1443522810.
40. Dixit, Sandya (3 January 2016)."Demonstration on "Pranayam and
Shuddhi Kriyas""(PDF). International Conference on Advances in Asian
Medicine.
41. Halmare Gayatri K and Patrikar VG. Effect of Jal Dhauti on Sthaulya W.S.R.
To obesity: a Syst Rev. World JPharm Res. 2020; 9(1).
42. Yaami Antar, August 19, 2019, Dhauti: Cleanses Your Energy System,
https://soulprajna.com/dhauti-kriya/. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
43. Mallinson J, Singleton M. Roots of Yoga. Penguin Books. 2017. ISBN
978–0- 241–25304–5. OCLC 928480104.
44. Ashish, Basti Kriya (Yogic Enema): Cleansing of Intestines, December 23,
2020, https://www.fitsri.com/yoga/basti-kriya. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
45. Rawat N, Roushan R. A critical appraisal on the mechanism of action of
basti procedure of ayurveda in perspective of modern physiology. Int J
Res Ayurveda Pharm. 2020;11:154–8.
46. Saraswati SS. A systematic course in the ancient tantric techniques of
yoga and Kriya. 5th ed. Munger, Bihar: Yoga Publication Trust; 2016.
47. Jayantkumar SD, Mordhara JR. A literary review of Nauli Kriya one of hathyogic practices in the light of Ayurvedic Dosha Sharir and contemporary
anatomy. Int Ayurvedic Med J. 2022. https://doi.org/10.46607/iamj1
310052022.
48. Anon (Gaia Staff ) (13 December 2013). "5 Reasons to Practice Breath of
Fire Yoga". Gaia. Retrieved 14 May 2019. Kapalabhati Pranayama or “Cleaning Breath” is an intermediate to advanced pranayama that consists of
short, powerful exhales and passive inhales. This practice is also known as
the “Breath of Fire.”.
49. Kapalbhati - Frontal Brain Purification, 1991, in Yoga Magazine, a publication of Bihar School of Yoga.
50. "Skull Shining Breath - Kapalabhati Benefits | Beginners Tips & Variations".
Yoga Vini. 2016–07–21. Retrieved 2020–04–03.
51. Niranjan S. Dhauti – Yogic Internal Cleansing, 2023 https://www.sansk
ritimagazine.com/dhauti-yogic-internal-cleansing/. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
52. Nauli Kriya – The correct method, precautions, benefits, spiritual curiosity
a guide for your inner journey,2022, ttps://spiritualcuriosity.org/guides/
nauli-kriya/.
53. Benefits of Nauli Yoga And Ways To Practice It. 2017, https://curejoy.com/
content/benefits-of-nauli-yoga-and-ways-to-practice-it/.
Page 12 of 12
54. YS Raghuram, 2017, Nauli karma: Right method of Doing, Types, Benefits,
https://www.easyayurveda.com/2017/12/10/vasti-karma-basti-kriyahatha-yoga/amp/. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
55. Nauli Kriya: How to Do, Precautions & Benefits, Chandra Rishita, 2019,
https://www.fitsri.com/yoga/nauli-kriya. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
56. Watts M. Reviewed by Sandeep Solanki, Kapalabhati (Breath of Fire) How
to Do, Benefits and Precautions. 2022. https://www.siddhiyoga.com/
yoga/practice/pranayama/kapalabhati-breath-of-fire. Accessed 3 Mar
2020.
57. Anon (Gaia Staff ) (13 December 2013)."5 Reasons to Practice Breath of
Fire Yoga". Gaia. Retrieved 14 May 2019. Kapalabhati Pranayama or “Cleaning Breath” is an intermediate to advanced pranayama that consists of
short, powerful exhales and passive inhales. This practice is also known as
the “Breath of Fire.”.
58. Sankhe A. Benefits of Kapalbhati and How to Do It. 2022. https://pharm
easy.in/blog/health-fitness-benefits-of-kapalbhati-and-how-to-do-it/.
Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
59. Sivasubramaniam T, Kapalbhati P. Steps, Types, Benefits, Precautions.
2021 https://www.classicyoga.co.in/2021/10/kapalbhati-pranayamasteps-types-benefits-precautions/. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
60. "Skull Shining Breath - Kapalabhati Benefits | Beginners Tips & Variations".
Yoga Vini. 2016–07–21. Retrieved 2020–04–03.
61. Watts M. Reviewed by Sandeep Solanki, Kapalabhati (Breath of Fire) How
to Do, Benefits and Precautions. 2022. https://www.siddhiyoga.com/
yoga/practice/pranayama/kapalabhati-breath-of-fire. Accessed 3 Mar
2020.
62. Svatmarama S. Hatha yoga pradipika, The Aquarian Press 1992, https://
terebess.hu/english/HathaYogaPradipika2.pdf. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
63. Hatha Yoga Pradipika. New Delhi: Sri Satguru publications; 2014, Available
from: http://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/BDLM/toModule.do?prefix=/searc
h&page=/search_detail.jsp?seq=133882. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
64. Hawkins A. “How to improve concentration by Trataka (Yogic Gazing)”. 2019; https://sarvyoga.com/how-to-improve-concentration-bytrataka-yogic-gazing/. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
65. Sivasubramaniam Thirunavukkarasu, 2022, Tratak Kriya Types, Steps,
Benefits, https://www.classicyoga.co.in/2022/02/tratak-kriya-types-stepsbenefits/. Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
66. Writer SC. Trataka Kriya – Benefits, Techniques & Precautions. 2021 https://spiritualcuriosity.org/guides/kriya-trataka-part-2/.
Accessed 3 Mar 2020.
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.