Other cleansing techniques

A Note About the Postures to be done for the Intestinal wash

There are 5 asanas that are to be done in a particular kind of way which works best for the aims of the technique. The purpose of them is to loosen up the abdomen and bowels in the shortest possible time; to alternatively compress and stretch; to massage the water through the GIT and down to the anus. They should all be done quite dynamically, not in the usual slow and concentrative way of formal yogasanas, but still strongly, working deeply into the muscles and joints. Even if you are stiff, do not mope through them or make slow, gentle movements. Warming the body is the best way to warm the bowels and loosen them up.

For Laghoo, start off with a good pace and keep it that way to the end of the 3rd or 4th round of drinks, but for Poorna Shankaprakshalana, you should pace yourself through the 15 - 30 rounds of exercises you will be doing. For Poorna, do not start like a bull-at-a-gate, but then neither should you start lazily. The best way is to start with the dynamism required for Laghoo until the water breaks through, and then just cruise with a leisurely and consistent pace to the end.

For Poorna Shankaprakshalana, once flowing through, some people like to use Surya Namaskara as an alternative set of postures. This is OK to do, but do it in an alternating combination with the usual set of poses, and should the water movement slow down at any stage, return to the usual postures. Whether the short or long version, always be sure to breathe properly when performing the Shankaprakshalana exercises. You must not over heat the body, by holding the breath in tension. Use the inhalation of breath to draw in vital energy and use the exhalation to let go of tension along with using the consciousness and the mind to move the water downwards and out.

The question is sometimes asked if the 5 special asanas relate directly to the 5 alimentary valves. The answer is that each of them singly, and all of them together, help to stretch, massage and relax all parts of the alimentary canal such that the valves all open to allow a flow-through of the water and waste matter. Some postures tend to cause more of a build-up of water pressure in the middle intestines whilst others tend to create a strong urge to evacuate the lower bowel.