So, First ShatKarma/Purification (if Necessary)
The six kinds of actions or purifications/cleanses are: Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka, Nauti and Kapala Bhati. These are called the six (shat) actions (karmas).
Now, these are not meant to just be practiced without a teacher and all the secrets not meant to be shared. Some of these practices are more well known in the modern world now.
There is Dhauti Karma. (2.24) Dhauti means cleaning or also penance. This is a type of internal cleaning and meant to shown by the guru. There are a four types according to Swami Muktibodhananda's commentary. However, only one Internal Type is mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The Four Types are:
- Internal
- Teeth
- Heart
- Rectal
One of the internal Dhautis may be more common to practice; I practice it is Vahnisara Dhauti. I know it as Agni Sara. Swami Muktibodhananda says in his commentary on the Hatha Yoga Pradipika:
"Vahnisara dhauti, also known as agnisara kriya, involves moving the ‘fire’ in the body. Vahni and agni mean ‘fire.’ Sar is ‘essence.’ ‘The essence of fire’ is located in the navel region. On a physical level, the practice involves conscious movement of the abdominal muscles and organs and this creates internal heat. The practice is very useful as a preparation for kapalbhati and bhastrika pranayama.
The Gherand Samhita says to 'Push the navel against the spine a hundred times...' (1:19) The practice can be done standing or sitting in bhadrasana. Jalandhara bandha is performed first, then the abdomen is pushed out and in rapidly while the breath is held. It can be done while breathing through the mouth with the tongue extended, panting like a dog and moving the abdomen in rhythm with the breath. For most people it is unnecessary to practice one hundred times; fifty is sufficient."
This video covers Agnisara, Kapalabhati, and Bhastrika with a comparison of the Hundreds in Pilates.
This washing of the anus with water or air is called the Basti Karma. (2.26) This is a is like an enema and one of the practices that should only be done under the guidance of a Yoga Teacher or Guru who specializes in Shatkarma.
Many people these days are familiar with Neti Pots for cleaning the sinuses. This may also be done with a cloth. This is called the Neti Karma. (2.29) I grew up with both of these as part of cold and flu season, especially. Which is Kapah Season. My mother would have me sniff salt water and also use a long tissue to clean the sinuses. Clear sinuses are very important for the ability to practice Yoga Breathing/ Pranayama. You can get a Neti Pot at the local drugstore or online. I have also used a product called Sinus Rinse which is more like a squirt bottle. Ghee (clarified butter) and Milk for Neti are also mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. I swear by Nasya Oil and use it every night. I have had Nasya made from Ghee as well as oil blends. I believe it keeps my sinuses moisturized and helps prevent colds and flus because I do not have tiny tears in my nose from it being dry where viruses can get into my system.
Being calm, one should gaze steadily at a small mark, till eyes are filled with tears. This is called Trataka (2.31) Sometimes this is done with a candle. There is external and internal. Gazing at a candle is an example of external. Internal is done with the eyes closed and concentrating on the dark space in front of the closed eyes. I was taught this internal Trataka as a child and loved it. This is one pointed focus. We covered this in Sauca, ekagrata is one of the benefits of Sauca, which is also closely connected to these practices since Sauca is the practice of cleanliness or purification as one of the Ways of Life, Niyama. See Sauca
Lean forward, protrude the abdomen and rotate (the muscles) from right to left with speed. This is called the Nauli Karma. (2.33)
When inhalation and exhalation are performed very quickly, like a pair of bellows of a blacksmith, it dries up all the disorders from the excess of phlegm, and is known as Kapala Bhati.(2.35) This is also covered in our video above.
The reference to phlegm relates to the Kapha Dosha. When Kapha is out of balance people can feel fatigued, low energy, attached, envious, sluggish, unfocused, un- Motivated, and depressed. They can also be congested, bloated, and sleepy.
Much of the purification of Hatha Yoga involves references to balancing the Doshas.
Kapala Bhati is often translated as Skull Shining Breath. Kapala means skull but it also means more than that.
Kapala means skull but it represents purified thought or enlightenment. It "represents our Ahaṃkāra concept-of-self — the ego."1
Bhati means shinning and also light, brightness, luster, splendor, perception, and knowledge. 2
So Kapalbhati means shining or brightening the perception and knowledge of the ego for purified thought and enlightenment through quick breaths. And it balances the mind and and body from feelings of fatigue, low energy, attachment, envy, sluggishness, lack of focus and motivation, and depression as well as congestion, bloat, and sleepiness.
Feeling inspired to do more Kapalbhati.
This section ends with the verse/Sloka reminding us that the purpose of the Six Actions, ShatKarma is to balance our energies so that we can better benefit from the breath practices of Pranayama,
"By the six karmas (shatkarma) one is freed from excesses of the doshas. Then pranayama is practiced and success is achieved without strain" (2.36)
More on Pranayama next. Follow this Blog in the sidebar to get it straight to your inbox.
Wondering how your Dosh/ Body-Mind Type is doing? Want to explore more about your energy balances? We unlocked two tests in our course below.
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