Three Cleansing Kriyas (Techniques) for Pure Mind and Body

@jojoyoga

Of all the practices of the yogic path, the Shat Kriyas are among the most practical and applicable to our daily lives. Not only do the Kriyas open our energy field and cleanse our astral body; they are also very helpful in maintaining optimal physical health.

In the traditional yogic path, the Shat Kriyas are introduced at the early phase of practice, before the yogi begins to learn the more advanced practices of postures, pranayama, and meditation.

Kriyas are defined as a series of exercises or techniques that lead mind and body to a specific outcome. They are said to clear excess phlegm from the body, thus clearing correlated energy blockages from the various channels of the astral body.
 

Through this process, both the physical and energetic body are cleansed and the yogi is more prepared to gain greater benefit from the practices that follow.

 
It is my belief that these simple and powerful cleansing techniques are more applicable (and perhaps even necessary) in modern times than ever before.

We are bombarded with toxins everywhere. Toxins are in our air, our food, our water, and even our hygiene products. Also, our western diets are very mucous-forming, creating more of a need to clear the correlating blockages that come from this.

A yogic diet and a conscious effort to eliminate unnecessary toxins from our lives can certainly make a big difference in both our physical and spiritual health.

But I also encourage you to utilize the wisdom of the ancients by practicing these cleansing Kriyas on a regular basis. You might be surprised at how good they make you feel!
 
 

Here Are 3 Cleansing Kriyas You Can Do for a Purer Mind and Body:

1. Water Nasal Cleansing (Jala Neti)

For this Kriya you will use a neti pot (we recommend this starter kit).

Simply heat up some purified water to a lukewarm temperature and add a pinch of sea salt or Himalayan salt. Stand over a sink, and gently pour the water into one nostril, tilting your head sideways so it can run all the way through and come out the other nostril. Repeat with the other side.
 

 
 
Traditionally this practice also entails pulling the water through your nose and expelling it out of the mouth. To do this, pour the water very slowly and gradually into one nostril while very gently using the throat and your breathing mechanism to pull the water into the mouth.
 
Expel the water once it reaches the mouth. Do this a minimum of three times, then repeat in the other nostril. The technique is very akin to hawking a loogie, but with a lot more subtlety. 🙂
 
The neti pot practice is great for healing and preventing colds, sinus infections, and allergies, and also clears the nadis, which enables greater flow of life-force energy to all channels of the energy body.

Pro tip: For sinus infections or other chronic issues, you can also add a drop of diluted oregano oil or tea tree oil to your nedi pot to greater facilitate the cleansing process.
 

2. Water Colon Cleansing (Jala Basti)

Water colon cleansing is something our culture is already familiar with. In older times the yogi would stand in a river, using stomach muscle contractions to create a suction of water into the intestines.

Nowadays we can simply use an enema bag, or even go for a series of colonics for more intensive cleansing to accomplish this Kriya.
 

Some people are averse to doing enemas, or feel icky about it. The benefits of getting over this are many.

 
When using an enema at home, you can enhance the cleansing process by using yogic stomach exercises, or giving yourself an intestinal massage while holding in the water. There are many different opinions on what the best method for an enema is.

I highly recommend doing some research and finding out which method(s) work best for you. Some people are averse to doing enemas, or feel icky about it. The benefits of getting over this are many.

Traditionally water colon cleansing is said to cure a variety of ailments, including those from the three humors (the blood, bones, and fat).

It also removes impurities from the mind, senses, heart, and intellect. The digestive tract is one of the most crucial and important energy channels in the energetic system, and is also physically the key to one’s health. Learning to purify it is of immense value.
 

3. The Stomach Lift (Uddiyana)

It is my opinion that in modern times, our intestinal and digestive health is in much greater compromise than it was in ancient times.

I personally believe that, due to the conditions of our time, a good dietary/herbal cleansing protocol to further clean and purify the colon and intestinal tract is a must for the serious yogi, and adds further value to the power of water colon cleansing.

The Stomach Lift Kriya practice cleanses the digestive system and alimentary tract. It also pulls energy up from the lower chakras to the higher chakras in the head region.

 
 
To perform Uddiyana, stand with your feet about 1-1½ feet apart. Bend your knees slightly and lean forward, placing your hands (with straight arms) on your thighs and resting the weight of your upper body on them. Inhale deeply, then exhale completely.
 
While your lungs are empty, quickly and firmly pull the stomach muscles in towards the spine, then upward, then completely relax. Make sure the upward motion immediately follows the inward motion, and that the stomach muscles relax completely directly after.

Repeat this motion three times with the lungs empty, then inhale, hold the breath, exhale, and repeat. Do this for at least 3-5 rounds.
 
 

Cleansing Kriyas: The Takeaway

There are many other Shat Kriyas that you can learn and use to improve physical health and enhance your spiritual growth.

These three Kriyas are perfect to start with in that they are both easy to do, and provide very real and tangible benefits. I do sincerely hope that you enjoy them and that they aid you in feeling amazing mentally, physically, and spiritually.

This article and all included information is not intended as medical advice and does not treat or diagnose. Please consult your doctor for any health-related questions or concerns.
 
Featured Image: Instagram @JoJoYoga

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