One of the purification techniques recommended in traditional yoga is call Shankprakshalana. Perfect for mental clarity, boosting energy, resting the nervous system, realing tension, it known as a powerful kryia to cleanse the intestines.
Why doing Shankprakshalana ?
In sanskrit, shankha means Shell and prakshalana, wash completely. The goal of Shankaprakshalana is to make our digestive system as clear and clean as a shell in order to :
- release the grip of stress
- be healthier
- to bring your yoga and meditation practice at another level
How we do it ?
It’s like a tradaitional diet: The previous week, you reduce or eliminate stimulants ( coffee, tea, alcohol) as well as animal products, and consume a lot of vegetables and fruits.
The dat before the enema, you fast in order to limit the quantity of matter to be evacuated.
On the big day, early in the morning, you start drinking glasses of hot salt water (a physiological solution that prevents water from being absorbed by the body). Between each glass, you do yoga exercises to help the water circulate
How long does it takes ?
This can take varying amounts of time depending on the person, depending on the number of glasses they need : Ranging from 15 to over 20. After a certain number of drinks, you start going to the bathroom.
The entire practice lasts about 4 hours to get everything out.
At the end, you do a stomach cleanse (kunjal in Sanskrit) by drinking a large quantity of warm salt water very quickly. Then you rest for 45 to 60 minutes.
The session is over when the water coming out is as clear as that coming in.
What do we do when it’s finish ?
Then you eat sweet potato with ghee (clarified butter) or olive oil to coat the walls of the intestine.
Le régime après le nettoyage
As you become more sensitive, especially to what you eat, this may be an opportunity to make lasting changes to your diet and eliminate foods that’ don’t make you feel good’s not good for you.
For the ten days following the bowel cleansing, you follow a vegan diet ( avoid products of animal origin), with foods that are easy to digest, reduce stimulants (tea, coffee, alcohol…) but also sugar (including fruit) and raw vegetables.
You can consume probiotics to help rebuild a healthy microbiota.
What’s the benefit of this practice ?
At a physical level :
- better absorption of nutrients into the blood,
- facilitated intestinal transit,
- fewer allergies,
- fewer digestive intolerances,
- strengthened immunity,
- the elimination of fungi (notably candida albicans) and parasites,
- weight loss possible thanks to the elimination of certain foods,
- better breath and less sweat odor.
On a nervous and psychological level:
- helps to release tension,
- improves sleep,
- allows the nervous system to rest,
- strengthens sensitivity,
- increases energy,
- develops mental clarity.
Shankprakshalana not recommended for :
- maladies ou troubles importants du système digestif (ulcères, cancers, inflammations),
- pregnancy,
- hypertension,
- significant diseases or disorders of the digestive system (ulcers, cancers, inflammations)
When to do it ?
One or Two times a year.
