Yogic detoxification

Yogic detoxification

Yogic detoxification  

Malvika Dadoo Agarwal shows a yoga technique which can help us detoxify  

our system before working out, to get the best out of the exercise regimen 

We all aim at getting fit, but what we miss in the process is the importance  

of detoxification—cleansing of different parts of the body—thereby  

preparing the body to get the optimal benefit of the new exercise regime.  

Proceeding towards a hardcore workout without first detoxifying our body  

is like working on a weak foundation where we can only have less than optimal results. 

42 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2018  

yoga article.indd 42 25/07/18 3:42 PM

This article is about Laghoo  Shankhaprakshalana, a shorter technique  of Shankhaprakshalana, one of the cleaning  processes in yoga.  

Laghoo Shankhaprakshalana is one of the  most important yogic kriyas that helps bring  down the blood glucose levels and helps  people suffering from digestive problems  like constipation, flatulence, acidity, and  indigestion. 

No asanas or physical work should be  performed, and no food or beverages should  be taken before commencing the practice. Not  evacuating the bowels prior to the practice,  helps stimulate the peristaltic movement. Light  and comfortable clothing should be worn. 

Contraindications: People with heart or  kidney problems or high blood pressure  should not practise Shankhaprakshalana.  Those suffering from any medical condition  should seek guidance from their doctor  before attempting it, especially those taking  medication. This practice should be avoided  during pregnancy.   

Method: Sit in Khagasana and drink two  glasses of warm water. Perform the following  five asanas dynamically, eight times each in  the following sequence: 

Tadasana (Mountain pose) 

Breathe in, pull yourself up, focus at a point,  and hold. Work those calves and stretch your  rectus abdominal muscles and intestines.  Lower your heels while breathing out and  bring the hands down from the side.  

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) 

Lie flat on your stomach with legs straight  and feet together. Place your palms flat on  the floor, on the side of the shoulder with  the fingers together and pointing forward.  Position the arms so that the elbows point  backwards and are close to the sides of the  body. Breath in, straighten the elbow, and  arch the back. The pubic bone remains in  contact with the mat, and the navel is raised  to a maximum of three cm. Hold this position  for a few seconds. Slowly release the breath  and return to the starting position.  

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Urdhva-Hastottanasana  

(Upward salute pose) 

Stand with the feet more than shoulder-width  apart. Fix the gaze on a point directly in front.  Interlock the fingers and turn the palms  outward. Inhale and raise the arms over the  head, stretching upwards. Exhale and bend  to the right side from the waist. Do not bend  forward or backwards or twist the trunk. Hold  the position for a few seconds, then slowly  inhale and come back to the upright position.  Repeat on the left side. This completes one  round.  

44 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2018  

Katichakrasana  

(Standing spinal twist pose) 

Stand with the feet about shoulder-width  apart and the arms by the sides. Inhale  and raise the arms to shoulder level, then  exhale and twist the body to the right. Bring  the left hand to the right shoulder and wrap  the right arm around the back, bringing the  right hand around the left side of the waist.  Look over the right shoulder as far as is  comfortable. Keep the back of the neck  straight and imagine the top of the spine  is the fixed point around which the head  turns. Hold for two seconds, accentuate  the twist, gently stretching the abdomen.  

Inhale and return to the starting position.  Repeat on the other side to complete one  round.  

yoga article.indd 44 25/07/18 3:42 PM

Udarakarshanasana  

( Lower Spine Twist Pose) 

Squat with the feet apart and the hands  on the knees. Inhale deeply. Exhale  and bring the right knee to the floor  near the left foot. Using the left hand  as a lever, push the left knee towards  the right, simultaneously twisting to  the left. Keep the inside of the right  foot on the floor. Try to squeeze the  lower abdomen with the combined  pressure of both thighs. Look over the  left shoulder. Hold the breath for three  to five seconds in the final position.  Inhale when returning to the starting  position. Repeat on the other side of  the body to complete one round. 

This completes one round of the Laghoo  Shankhaprakshalana practice. Again,  drink two glasses of warm water,  and repeat the asanas in the same  sequence. Repeat this process for  the third time. After the third round,  

you should feel the urge for motion.  If not, wait for a few minutes and the  urge would eventually be upon you.  Do not strain. The practice should be  performed in a relaxed way at one’s  own pace. 

Lie down in Shavasana for 45 minutes,  but do not sleep as a headache or cold  may result. Keep yourself warm during  the resting period. Exactly 45 minutes  after completing the practice, prepare  a special khichari of good quality  white rice and mung dal, cooked with  ghee. The rice and lentils should be  cooked together in water until soft. A  little haldi (turmeric) and salt may be  added. Finally, ghee should be liberally  mixed in so that the final preparation  is semi-liquid. The same should also  be prepared for the late afternoon or  evening meal, about six hours after  the first meal. This practice should be  performed only once in six months.