Yoga Cleansing Techniques cleansing of the digestive tract

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There are many different digestive and stomach cleansing methods that can be safely practiced at home. Before deciding on any particular method of digestive cleansing one has to make certain dietary changes a few days prior to the cleansing process. Meals should be freshly made and kept simple. All kinds of junk food, snacks, fried foods, salty foods, canned foods processed foods and desserts have to be avoided completely. Foods with a high fat, protein and carbohydrate content have to be gradually tapered off in favor of light foods such as vegetables and fruits.

Cleansing With Dhauti Kriyas

Dhauti is a series of yogic practices that cleanses the stomach and digestive system. There are different types of dhauti including Vaman dhauti, Vastra dhauti, Danda dhauti and Varisara dhauti or Shankha Prakshalana. These are all different techniques used to clean the stomach and digestive tract and benefit the practitioner in different ways. For example, Vaman dhauti involves the use of water to wash the stomach. It helps to cleanse the intestines too and is reputed to help in disorders of the throat, stomach and gallbladder. It is said to be most effective when performed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Stomach and digestive cleansing should be resorted to whenever you have any kind of digestive problem such as gas or indigestion. Since it may cause side effects such as insomnia, palpitations, dizziness or weakness, it is better to check with your doctor before trying out any of the techniques.

Vaman Dhauti

The ideal time to perform this kriya is early in the morning while on an empty stomach. Since this practice induces vomiting, it is suggested that you try it in the washroom.

Technique

1. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to 1 liter of lukewarm water and stir it till all the salt has dissolved.
2. Drink the salt water as quickly as possible, gulping it down till you feel you cannot have any more.
3. Lean forward keeping your torso horizontal.
4. Insert your middle and index fingers as far back into your throat as possible and vomit out all the contents of your stomach.
5. Continue to insert your fingers into the back of your throat till there is no more water left to vomit.

Precautions

• Gulp rather than sip the water, else the technique will not work.
• You have to drink enough water for the technique to work.
• Keep your body relaxed at all times. This becomes easier with practice.

Vastra Dhauti

This kriya is similar to Vaman dhauti but uses a muslin cloth instead of water. It should be performed on an empty stomach early in the morning.

Technique

1. Keep ready a strip of muslin cloth. It should be about 20 feet long and 3 inches wide and should be washed and disinfected prior to use.
2. Start by slowly inserting the muslin cloth into your throat and swallowing it.
3. Initially you can try swallowing about 1 foot of the cloth and gradually increase it till you can swallow almost all of the cloth.
4. Keep the cloth in your throat for a few seconds increasing the period every day.
5. When the cloth sticks in your throat, sip some warm water.
   
   
6. Stop swallowing when about six inches of the cloth are left outside.
7. Slowly withdraw the cloth.

Precautions

• Avoid using cloths made from synthetic materials.
• Ensure that the cloth is kept neatly trimmed and that there are no frayed edges.
• Do not swallow the cloth completely.
• Ensure that the cloth is narrower than your tongue to prevent it from folding while being swallowed.
• Wash and disinfect the cloth immediately after use.
• Make sure that if you are a beginner you have a trained person as a guide to help you in the process.

Danda Dhauti

This kriya helps to clean the windpipe, esophagus and stomach by inserting a rubber tube into the throat all the way down to the stomach. The tube should be cleaned and disinfected before use.

Technique

1. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to 1 liter of lukewarm water and stir it till all the salt has dissolved.
2. Drink the salt water as quickly as possible, gulping it down till you feel you cannot have any more.
3. Insert the rubber tube gently into your throat and swallow it.
4. Continue swallowing till the end of the tube reaches the stomach.
5. Bend forward and allow the salt water to be siphoned off.
6. Remove the tube slowly after all the salt water has come out.

Precautions

• If you are unable to swallow the tube then you should stick to performing the Vaman dhauti.
• Make sure you have a professional to help you through the procedure in order to avoid any unwanted situations.

Varisara Dhauti - Shankha Prakshalana

Shankha Prakshalana is very effective as a digestive cleanser.

Technique

1. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to 1 liter of lukewarm water and stir it till all the salt has dissolved.
2. Drink ten to fifteen glasses of the lukewarm salt water.
3. Perform some warm up exercises such as jogging and forward and backward bends.
4. After this perform these asanas – Padangushtasana (Toe to Hand Pose), Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend), Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord Of Fishes Pose). These asanas have to be done quickly.
5. You can now visit the toilet. The urge to visit the toilet will continue over the course of the next few hours.
6. Passing clear water is an indication that your stomach and digestive tract have been cleansed.

Precautions

• Afterwards you can have some light food such as cold milk or soft rice with yogurt.

Benefits of Dhauti Series

The Dhauti series of practices cleanses out your complete body including the respiratory system and the entire digestive system. They will eliminate excess bile, stomach acids, mucus and toxins from within and restore the body to its naturally balanced state. These exercises can benefit those suffering from constipation, indigestion, acidity, heartburn, dyspepsia, biliary disorders and disorders of the stomach.

Contraindications

These exercises should not be performed by those with the following conditions:

• Ulcers
• Hernias
• Heart disease
• Hypertension

These exercises should not be done frequently and it is important to consult your doctor before attempting any of them.