My Yoga Class
This week I’ve practiced two internal cleansing techniques, that although aren’t very sexy, I might as well share since they will probably prove to be useful to someone.
Sanka Praksalana (or peeing out your butt)
From sanskrit it translates to ‘conch cleansing.’ It should be done at least once a year every year of your life, but preferably at the start of each season (in India there are six seasons so that makes every two months). It does the same thing as a colonic or enema, but it is completely natural and doesn’t involve over-stretching the large intestines by forcing water up through a tube. Instead, you drink large amounts of salty water and it goes down the stomach and intestines cleansing through all the crusty, molded, fermented “mucoid plaque” that we all collect through just living and which if left there spreads toxins through out the body causing all types of things ranging from premature aging, body odour or cancer. After performing this ancient Indian technique you will feel lighter, your skin will be radiant and pimples will vanish, it also helps you lose excess fat and countless other diseases are supposedly cured or prevented. The Hindu scriptures state: It is the best dhauti. He who practices it with care and ease purifies his body of all impurities and makes it radiant and godlike.” So here are the instructions. Make sure to do this on an empty stomach, best thing is in the morning:
- Heat up 6-8 litres of water and put one tablespoon of sea or rock salt per litre.
- Drink one 250 ml cup and then perform the following exercises under yoga. Do each of them four-eight times on each side.
- After six cups you should experience the “unleashing of the siphon.” Sometimes it may take three litres but be patient! Don’t be too rough on yourself. Continue taking one glass and then doing the exercises and squatting a lot as you begin running to the toilet. Keep in rhythm. At first it will be poop and then little pellets and then murky water and then continue until the water coming out is as clear as possible. Good luck!
- Oh, I almost forgot. The first meal is super important. It must come within 30 minutes to one hour of the last savoury cup. No less and no more. It must be well-boiled rice with at least 40 grams of butter or olive oil. After that you may not eat milk, yogurt, acidic food and drinks, raw fruits and vegies and cheeses for 24 hours. For a whole 48 hours afterward you cannot eat any spices besides salt, nor can you have any alcohol or meat for two days. Give it a go!
The other technique was called vamana dhauti. It involved less water but instead making your self puke until all the water (and the contents of your stomach) came back up. It didn’t work for me and I think this other method is more my style, I suppose. But, vamana dhauti is recommended in Indian hospitals for patients and also for yogis who perform it every morning for 49 days and then less frequently. Yes, the joys of salty water and toilets! A morning activity that makes going out to the bars the night before completely unnecessary.
