Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Shanka Prakshalana

From Sanskrit it translates to 'conch cleansing.' It should be done at least once a year every year of your life, but preferably at the start of each season (in India there are six seasons so that makes every two months). It does the same thing as a colonic or enema, but it is completely natural and doesn't involve over-stretching the large intestines by forcing water up through a tube.

Instead, you drink large amounts of salty water and it goes down the stomach and intestines cleansing through all the crusty, molded, fermented "mucoid plaque" that we all collect through just living.

If left there it will spread toxins throughout the body and cause all types of things ranging from premature aging, body odor and cancer. After performing this ancient Indian technique you will feel lighter, your skin will be radiant and pimples will vanish, it also helps you lose excess fat and countless other diseases are supposedly cured or prevented.

According to Hindu Scripture, It is the best dhauti; he who practices it with care and ease purifies his body of all impurities and makes it radiant and god-like. So, here are the instructions. Make sure to do this on an empty stomach, best thing is in the morning:

1. Heat up 6-8 litres of water and put one tablespoon of sea or rock salt per liter.

2. Drink one 250 ml cup and then perform five yogic stretching and twisting exercises: Trikonasana, Triyak Bhujangasana, Sideways Bending of the Body, Meru Prishthasana and Tadasana. Do each of them four-eight times on each side.

3. After six cups you should experience the "unleashing of the siphon." Sometimes it may take three litres but be patient! Don't be too rough on yourself. Continue taking one glass and then doing the exercises and squatting a lot as you begin running to the toilet. Keep in rhythm. What will start off as poop will become little pellets, then murky water and then finally continue until the water that is coming out is as clear as possible. Good luck!

4. The first meal is extremely important. It must come within 30 minutes to one hour after consumption of the last savory cup. No less and no more. It must be well-boiled rice with at least 40 grams of butter or olive oil. After that you may not consume any milk, yogurt, acidic food and drinks, raw fruits and veggies and cheeses for 24 hours. For a whole 48 hours afterward you cannot eat any spices besides salt, nor can you have any alcohol or meat for two days.Why not give it a go?