Laghoo Shankhaprakshalana (Cleansing practices)

About the Practices:
The five asanas (postures) which form the core of the practice activate intestinal peristalsis and enhance the cleansing process. When performed in the correct sequence they progressively open the pyloric valve at the outlet of the stomach, then the ileocaecal valve at the exit of the small intestine and finally the sphincter which forms the anus.

Postures:
Tadasana – acts mainly on the stomach and stretches the colon; Tiryaka Tadasana – acts on the small intestine and colon; Kati Chakrasana – massages the small intestine; Tiryaka bhujangasana and udarakarshanasana squeeze and massage the caecum, sigmoid colon and rectum, and also stimulate the urge to defecate.

Other cleansing practices include:

• Neti – nasal cleansing
• Kungal – stomach wash
• Tratak – candle gazing meditation for concentration and mental clarity
• Bhamari & Nadi Shodhana – Pranayama – breathing techniques for purification
• Yoga Nidra – deep relaxation for body/mind/emotions

Benefits: Physically, laghoo shankhaprakshalana alleviates digestive problems and tones the liver and other digestive organs and glands. It strengthens the immune system, reduces excessive mucus and purifies the blood.

Laghoo Shankhaprakshalana recharges the entire pranic body, removes blockages from the nadis and purifies all the chakras. The harmony of the five pranas is restored and the energy level is raised.

Mentally:
It calms the mind and prepares the way for higher states of consciousness. Any sadhana (practices) performed after the cleansing practices gives manifold results.

Information from: Asana, Pranayama, Mudra Bandha Swami Satyananda Saraswati Yoga Publications Trust, Munger, Bihar, India