Yoga contemplates hygiene as a sacred discipline, for the purpose of purifying body and

mind, and thus facilitate the path to the sacred aspects of life. There are a large number of
debugging exercises. One such technique is the Shank Prakshalana, the intestinal washing up
saltwater. So, in this sense, shanka means “sea shell” and Prakshalana refers to “clean”.

The Ayurvedic tradition contemplated the digestive system as a conch, a long spiral through
which food circulates. To clean the digestive system from the mouth to the anus, they use a
method as simple and effective as drinking salt water. So, this drink will be expell not by the
urinary tract but by the intestinal tract, cleaning it of any residue that is in its path.

The technique is combine with a series of exercises or asanas. This exercises, help uncover
the ducts, remove residual encrustation from the intestinal walls and pull them out.

Reasons to Perform Shank Prakshalana

The organism tends to become intoxicate

systematically throughout the life. This coud be due to
external substances or ingested foods. Also, by
incorrect diets and mainly by the products resulting
from the fermentations that are generate in the
digestion of according to which foods in the intestine.

This autointoxication, ampli ed in case of

constipation, is o en a direct or indirect cause of diseases and dysfunctions in different
organs: colon, stomach, intestines (different types of cancer), kidneys (colic), legs, skin
problems, of the nervous system (irritability, insomnia), of the circulatory system by the
direct ltration of the colon to the blood, etc.

These symptoms are o en a sign that the body has not been properly cleaned in the past. Not
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even the daily evacuation of
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 become embedded and can never be eliminated. This is why it is important to keep the
intestine in the best state of cleanliness, and always  taking care of the diet.

Toxins can be the culprit of many chronic diseases and degenerative diseases. This explains,
for example, why people expose to the same climatic conditions are constipated or not. The
fault is not of the microbes, but it is usually the lack of a normal immune resistance due to the
autointoxication of the bloodstream that makes people sick.

Bene ts of Shank Prakshalana

Unlike an enema, which only covers the large intestine, Shank Prakshalana cleans the entire
digestive tract. So, it can clean mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large
intestine. Some of its bene ts are:

Increases concentration.
Decrease appetite.
Combats impurities in the skin.
It cleanses the blood and detoxifies the whole organism.
Eliminates bilious diseases.
It cleanses the intestine.
Regenerates the intestinal flora.
Prevents tumors in the intestine.
Eliminates constipation.
It gives strength and vigor to the organism.

How to Practice Shank Prakshalana

Preparation:

Heat salted water (one teaspoon of salt mixed with 1L

of water). The reason salt water is used is to prevent it
from being absorbed by osmosis through the mucosa
and evacuated as urine.

The propitious moment to realize this kriya is in the

morning, fasting. Cleaning together takes more than
an hour. So, during that day and the following
morning, you should avoid doing very dynamic exercise.

Prakshalana shankha technique:

Drink a glass of warm salt water.

Immediately afterwards perform the movements described below.
Drink another glass of water.
Immediately after performing the movements described below.

This sequence should be follow by a glass of water/exercises until drinking 6 glasses in

total. A
10 er the exercises are perform a er the sixth glass, you should go to the bathroom to
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 evacuate.

Normally, a first evacuation occurs almost immediately. Normal stools are followed by softer stools and then liquid
stools. If the evacuation does not take place after approx. 5 min. Go back to the exercise series without drinking
water. Once it is started, the first evacuation will take place and the rest will follow automatically.

A er each evacuation and using toilet paper, it is advisable to rinse the anus with warm water.
So, dry it and eventually lubricate it with olive oil or another to prevent salt irritation.

After the first evacuation, another glass of warm salt water must be taken followed by the exercises and return to
evacuate. Proceed with this alternation: glass of water/exercises. Then, bath until the water comes out as clear as
it entered.  

When you see that the water comes out as clear as it came in. Do not do anything else. You will only suffer the
inconvenience of going to the bathroom several times during the next hour.

Description of Exercises

To drive the water through the digestive tract to the exit, simply carry out the following
movements. Each should be repeated 8 to 10 times on each side alternately, at a slightly rapid
rate. The complete series does not take more than a minute.

1- Tadasana

Interlace your hands and place them on your head. Raise your arms with your palms facing
upwards while you stand on the tip of your feet. Then, descend them immediately and place
your hands clasped over your head again. Repeat 8 to 10 times.

2- Tiryaka tadasana

Beginning in Tadasana. Then, with your hands extended over your head and your palms
facing the sky, lean to the le and immediately to the right. Continue from le to right. Repeat
8 to 10 times on each side.

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 3- Kati chakrasana

With your feet slightly apart, touch your le shoulder with the palm of your right hand. Bring
your le arm behind your back to touch your right hip with the back of your le hand. Repeat
8 to 10 times for each side.

4- Tiryaka bhujangasana

Do bhujangasana or cobra pose. Then, inhale and twirl your head and torso to the le as if
you were to look at your le foot. Exhale as you straighten your head and descend. Inhale
doing bhujangasana. Then, rotate your head and torso to the right side as if you were looking
at your right foot. Exhale as you straighten your head and descend. Repeat 8 to 10 times on
each side.

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 5- Udarakarshanasana

Crouch on the tip of your feet and rest your buttocks on your heels. Keep your knees apart and
your hands resting on your knees. Bring your le knee to the oor with the help of your le
hand. Return to the center and bring your right knee to the oor. Keep alternating. Repeat 8 to
10 times.

We remind you that, when nishing the practice of Shank Prakshalana, you must rest for half
an hour. Next, ingest rice with lentils (preferably moong dal) prepared with ghee and
turmeric but without salt.

You can add cooked vegetables. The pan should be watery. Avoid all dairy during that day.
This preparation should be eating during the rest of the day but nothing else. Rest and avoid
extreme temperature changes.
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 Interested in a full body and mind detox? Come to our Yoga and Ayurveda Retreats in
Rishikesh, India.

To conclude, we invite you to share this post in all your social networks. If you have any
questions or comments, about Shank Prakshalana, you can write to us in the comments
section below.

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