Month: April 2010

Basti

Basti is the Yogic Enema. Sitting in the position of ‘Uta-kata-Asana’ in naval-deep water insert a wooden or metallic tube into the rectum. The tube should be about 4 inches long and of about 2/3” in diameter. It can be performed by using an ordinary nozzle from an enema bag and a bath tub full of water. Then do the ‘nauli’ and also do sucking by rectum muscles, the water would rise into the colon. The isolation of the recti muscles by the Nauli creates a vacuum which sucks in water. When the breath is gone, withdraw the nozzle and rest a moment; then repeat the practice. Breathe as many times as it is convenient. When the colon is filled with water, by isolating the recti muscles and rolling them from left to right it is possible to move the water throughout the large intestine. Then go to ease yourself.

When it is time to remove the water, the abdominal muscles should be rolled from right to left. It is also helpful to roll the abdomen from the top downward; this will help to squeeze out what remains.

An advanced student can execute the Basti even without the aid of the nozzle, which is as follows :- Place the feet about one foot apart and assume a squatting position with the arms locked around the fixed knees. The purpose of this is to enable one to put forth the necessary muscular effort; so shift around until a comfortable position is found. While in this position, empty the lungs and force the rectum out as far as possible, then draw it in. This requires a strong muscular action. Once it is in while one is still in the original position and holding the breath, do Nauli. If the action is strong enough the anal sphincters will open and the water will rush in. By this time, the breath will be gone and it will be necessary to rest for a moment. The next time it will not be necessary to force the return out; it will be sufficient to draw it in and do nauli. Success is solely dependent upon perfection of Nauli and Ashvini Mudra. If one is unable to achieve success after executing all the movements, the sphincters may be opened by the fingers, which should be removed the movement the water begins to rush in.

The Basti should be practiced upon rising in the morning, before anything has been put into the stomach. One can find it expedient to include it as a part of one’s daily routine in order to assume a clean intestinal tract. All diseases caused by the disorders of the humours and also the diseases of the liver, the spleen and intestines as well as pile are cured by Basti. The Basti also purifies the blood and other constituents of the body. It pleases the mind and imparts a glow. It imparts perfect health.

Nauli

The second practice of the shat-karma is the Nauli which can be learnt by a student who has given a few months to the practice of Uddiyana. Uddiyana may be termed as the foundation of the Nauli. The Uddiyana may be practiced as described below.

Stand with the feet apart and hands on the bend legs, in a semi-squatting position. Make the posture comfortable and then empty the lungs. With the breath out, forcibly contract the abdominal muscles, raising the Viscera until a large depression is made under the diaphragm. Then suddenly relax. Repeat this alternating contraction and relaxation till the breath could be conveniently held. This is one round. Before the next round, stand up straight and rest for a few second until the normal flow of breath returns. Never force any exercise or impose strain upon the system.

When the student has mastered the Uddiyana, he is ready to attempt Nauli. It consists of the isolation and rolling of the rectus abdominis, the straight muscle of the abdomen. Assume the same semi-squatting position used in Uddiyana but instead of placing the hands far down on the thigs, raise them a little and turn the arms so that the fingers are on the inside of the leg rather on outside as in the other position. This enables one to get a better leverage. Empty the lungs and contract all the muscles of the abdominal area. While holding this position, try to protrude whereas on both sides it forms like two cavities. Move the protruded section round and round in order to churn the contents of abdomen. But the student will have to experiment with various ways of getting control of these muscles; however, before starting, it is of paramount importance that he attains a fair degree of efficiency with Uddiyana and other will come in time.

This exercise serves as a powerful gastro-intestinal tonic and cures many of the diseases. Besides, this is a must for the next practice i.e. Basti. Regular practice of Nauli gives a sharper appetite, better vision and better physical tone. One experiences excellent health and remains free from minor ailments of sedentary life.

The advancement in the practice of Nauli is measured by the number of movements of the abdominal muscles backward and forward, to the left, and to the right, in one breath. One might start by working the muscles backward and forward ten times in one breath. After resting a while one might try the same number on the left side. And after another breath one should do similar movements on the right. The practice in due course of time might be increased to 25 rollings in a breath, which would perhaps by the maximum.

Vastra Dhauti or Cloth Dhauti

The Vastra Dhauti is practiced to clean the stomach and the food canal with the help of a long strip of cloth usually from five to seven meters in length.

Technique

Take a clean piece of muslin about nine centimeters broad and five to seven meters, long. An ordinary four inch, surgeon’s gauze of the required length can meet the requirement. First put the cloth in a basin of water, and after it is thoroughly saturated insert one end of it as far back in the throat as possible and go through the motions of eating and swallowing. This will encourage the throat to take hold. There may be some spasms, but they will soon pass, as will all soreness that is experienced. It will take only a few days for the throat and stomach to accommodate themselves. Do not try to accomplish the feat on the first day. One begins with a few inches and increases the length a little each day until the whole length is swallowed in about a fortnight.

One should practice  only ten to fifteen minutes each day.

In this way there would be no undue strain on the delicate lining of the throat. The first task is to accommodate the muscles to this foreign intrusion. When this has been done, time and practice will develop the needed strength to swallow the entire cloth. To overcome the difficulty encountered at the initial state, it would be found helpful to sweeten the water in which the cloth is moistened. It might also be soaked in the milk.

Extracting the cloth is the second part of the process. One is to bend on a basin and gently pull the loose end of the strip of cloth, while holding the mouth in a grasping position. If the throat contracts, pause for a few seconds and it will release its grip. A sip of water would also serve the purpose. Do not pull hard, for there is nothing to fear.

Precautions:

  1. The Vastra Dhauti must be practiced under the guidance of an expert.
  2. One must not try swallow up to the last quarter of an inch, for by chance one might let the end slip and find one self with a stomach full of cloth and no end to pull.
  3. Do not leave the cloth in the stomach for more than twenty minutes.

Benefits

  • Removes cough, Asthma, splenetic diseases, leprosy and other diseases brought on by phlegm.

Vamana Dhauti or Vomiting

Technique

This is done either empty stomach or after the meals. The former is the stomach wash by means of vomiting and the latter is the gargling for the throat wash. Vomiting is done early in the morning when the stomach is empty. Drink eight or nine glasses full of water, or enough so that it backs up into the throat. This will create a feeling of nausea making it easy to empty the stomach of its entire contents. In the beginning, in order to completely evacuate the stomach, one has to massage the root of the tongue with the fingers. After practice it becomes possible to empty the stomach voluntarily by churning or squeezing the stomach.

Gargling is meant to wash the throat for its through cleaning after every meals. Take a mouthful of water. Raise the head so that you could look at the sky or the roof. Produce the gargling sound in the throat and then throw out the water. Repeat it four times.

Benefits

  • First practice is highly effective in preventing most of the common ailments like ordinary fevers, skin-boils, bad throat, constipation, headache, loss of appetite and drowsiness.
  • Second practice prevents bad throat, foul smell and to some extent benefits the eye-sight also.

Kapalarandhra Dhauti or Head Passage Cleaning

The Kapalarandhra Dhauti is cleaning the nasal end located in the throat.

Technique

Enter the thumb into the mouth and rub with it the nasal cavity at the roof of the throat.  This is to be done in the morning after leaving the bed, in the evening before going to the bed and after the meals.

Benefits

  • Keeps the nasal passage clean.
  • One remains free from bad cold.
  • Benefits the eye-sight.

Karnarandhra Dhauti or Ear Duct Cleaning

The Karnarandhra Dhauti is the cleaning of the auditory canals, the Eustachian tubes, which are located in the throat just behind the tonsils.

 

Technique

This is done by combining the second and the third fingers of a hand and entering them into the mouth and rubbing them against the end of the auditory canal. The right side can conveniently be cleaned with the right hand and the left with the left hand.

 

Benefits

  • Prevents and cures  the defects of the ears.
  • Helps to some extent in production of the ‘Nada’ sound.

Jihvamula Dhauti or Tongue Cleaning

Technique

Combine together the second, the middle and the forth fingers and enter them into the throat rubbing and cleaning the root of tongue. Do it slowly and carefully till you get the feeling that the root of the tongue has become clean. Do it daily in the morning.

Benefits

  • One doing it daily escapes from the disease and old age, for the phlegm and catarrh are cleared off and eliminated everyday.
  • Keeps one safe from bad throat and bad cold.

Dantamula Dhauti or Teeth Cleaning

This is to cleanse teeth everyday and is considered to be the chief among Dhauties which one should never miss.

Technique

The roots of the teeth should be rubbed clean with a twig, some medicine or even with dried earth. It must be done daily in the morning.

 

Benefits

  • Preserves the teeth from decay and avoids foul smell.
  • Keeps the teeth bright and clean.