________________
techniques clean the entire alimentary canal from the mouth to the anus. They are divided into four practices: a) Shankhaprakshalana (varisara dhauti) and laghoo shankha
prakshalana, cleansing of the intestines; b) Agnisar kriya (vahnisara dhauti), activating the digestive
fire; c) Kunjal (vaman dhauti), cleansing the stomach with water; d) Vatsara dhauti, cleansing the intestines with air.
Most of these practices require expert guidance. 3. Nauli: A method of massaging and strengthening the
abdominal organs. 4. Basti: Techniques for washing and toning the large intes
tine. 5. Kapalbhati: A breathing technique for purifying the frontal
region of the brain. 6. Trataka: The practice of intense gazing at one point or
object which develops the power of concentration.
Although there are only six shatkarmas, each one consists of a variety of practices. In this chapter only the most commonly used practices are described in detail. Advice and precautions are given for each practice individually.
476
