“I wish that being famous helped prevent me from being constipated.” Marvin Gaye

Constipation is everyone’s problem. It may strike anyone, if not today, maybe tomorrow. Our faulty food habits and irregular lifestyle are an open invitation to constipation.

Yogic kriyas are a very important aspect of Yoga. It helps in expelling accumulated toxins from the system. Continues cleaning and maintenance are necessary for all the body parts like any other machines. Kriyas also prepare one for the Yogic practices like Asana and Pranayama.

Some of the prominent Kriyas are:

1. Neti
2. Dhouti
3. Nauli (Baba Ramdev is known for doing this the righy way)
4. Basti
5. Tratak
6. Kapalbhati

Shankhprakshalana, is a Kriya very useful for the cleaning of the body. It can be of immense help to all those suffering from chronic constipation. This is a part of “Dhouti” kriyas.

The word Shankhaprakshalana comes from two words. Shankha meaning “conch” and Prakshalana meaning to wash completely. The word Shankha is used to represent the entire alimentary canal from mouth to anus. This practice is also known as “varisar dhouti”.

Shankhaprakshalana is the process to clean the intestinal tract by removing the impurities with salty water.

Pre-preparation: Plenty of clean (At least 8-10 glasses), warm water should be available, add 1 teaspoon of rock salt.

The place to practice: The best place to practice Shankhapkshalana is a garden or in an open area where there’s fresh air on an empty stomach. Make sure that adequate toilet facilities are nearby.

Procedure: Start the process early in the morning.

1. Drink 2 glasses of the water preparation as quickly as possible, in a sitting position.
2. Perform following 5 sets of Asana as shown in the video
   • Tadasana (10 times)
   • Tiryaka Tadasana (5 times each side)
   • Kati Chakrasana (5 times each side)
   • Triyaka Bhujangasana (5 times each side)
   • Udarakashasana (5 times each side)
3. Drink 2 more glasses of water
4. Perform 5 sets of Asana as shown in the video (As per 2 above)
5. Last round of water, drink 2 more glasses of water
6. Perform 5 sets of Asana as shown in the video (As per 2 above)
7. It’s done. Wait for a while. It’s the time for a clear bowel movement.

Restriction:  People suffering from gastric or duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis should not perform this. People suffering high blood pressure should not use salt.

Frequency: Perform for 3 to 5 days every quarter.

Benefits: Very good for people suffering from chronic constipation, gas, acidity, and other digestive disorders. It is also good for kidney and urinary health.

 Caution: It should be practiced under expert Yoga teacher guidance.

“Mostly you eat for eating’s sake, you eat for the taste. But whatever you eat, it should not sit in your stomach and then not come out. Food must clear your stomach in two hours, and your body in eighteen hours. Otherwise, you are asking for a problem.”
-Beads of Truth Winter 1992