Shank-Prakshalana: reviews. Colon cleansing at home

Shank-prakshalana is a powerful cleansing procedure for the gastrointestinal tract, which has a comprehensive healing effect on the entire human body. This procedure is done by drinking a salty water solution. After each glass of water, simple exercises are performed (or rather, there are only 4 of them).

Shankha (Sanskrit shankha) - means “shell of a mollusk” (the mollusk washes its shell by sucking and expelling water with muscular effort), prakshalana (Sanskrit prakshalana) - complete rinsing, cleansing.

What does Prakshalana give?

Here is just an incomplete list of the beneficial effects that Shank Prakshalana has:

Health:

• digestion and absorption of nutrients into the blood improves;
• Regular, high-quality bowel movements are established;
• rejuvenating effect on the entire body;
• skin condition improves, rashes, pimples and pustules disappear;
• immunity is strengthened;
• the whites of the eyes become clear.

The quality of life:

• less fatigue, higher performance;
• clear thinking;
• metabolism and the process of food absorption are normalized;
• unpleasant body odors disappear;
• fresh breath.

Subtle points:

• psychological, emotional and mental blocks are removed;
• the ability to concentrate increases, which is beneficial for the practice of meditation;
• lightness and purity in the body, clarity in consciousness;
• energy potential and immunity from negative influences increases;
• life satisfaction, optimism, self-confidence.

Prakshalana is done either as needed or as planned. If at your age you have never done Prakshalana, then, probably, such a need is already ripe. As for scheduled cleaning, it is enough to do Prakshalana 1-2 times a year, more often it is not necessary. Since any cleaning is stress for the body. And it’s better to clog the body less than to subject it to cleansing again. We do Shank Prakshalana in the spring and autumn, when the seasons change, after which we enter into prolonged conscious abstinence from food.

1-2 days before Prakshalana, you must abstain from protein foods (meat, fish, eggs). It’s not even worth talking about the fact that you need to eliminate alcohol, nicotine and caffeine - this is an axiom of all health procedures. If you drink alcohol and smoke, there is no point in “abusing” your body with cleansing, if you then load it again with alcohol and cigarette smoke. The ideal diet is to sit on raw vegetables and cereals for two days. If it’s really difficult, you can add boiled vegetables. This will make the cleansing process easier.

The procedure itself will take no more than 1.5-2 hours (for the first time due to inexperience, perhaps longer). However, we would recommend setting aside one whole day for Prakshalana. It’s better not to plan any active events or meetings - let it be a day of complete relaxation. Stay at home, alone with yourself or with your loved ones. Read a book, relax. You may feel weak after the procedure and want to lie down - all these are normal phenomena.

Prakshalana is best done on an empty stomach. The optimal time to perform the procedure is in the morning after waking up, around 6-7 am, so that it is completed by noon. Before starting Prakshalana, it is good to do your usual morning hygiene routine and then start.

Prakshalana should be performed in a secluded and safe place where no one will disturb you. The ideal option is at home. Of course, you must have unlimited access to the toilet. In the toilet, you need to prepare in advance fresh water for washing (I strongly do not recommend toilet paper), cream or oil and a towel, so that after each bowel movement you can wash yourself and lubricate the anal sphincter with cream or oil. Otherwise, the saline solution may irritate the area.

Preparation of saline solution.

For the solution, it is better to use boiled water, cooled to body temperature. You need the most common salt - without iodine or other additives. It’s better to save sea, Himalayan, rose, with truffle oil and other exotics for a more suitable occasion. Buy the most common salt for 10 rubles - that's what you need.

So, we have water and we have salt, now it is important to mix them correctly. A common mistake newbies make is adding more salt to the solution than necessary, which ultimately leads to dehydration and headaches.

The rule you must follow is 1 heaped teaspoon of salt per liter of water. No more and no less!!!

When the solution is ready, you can start!

Step-by-step instructions for exercises for Prakshalana.

The scheme is simple: after each glass of salt water we drink, we perform a series of four simple exercises, as described below. The purpose of these exercises is to promote the rapid passage of water through the digestive tract. While doing the exercises, we alternately open the sphincters of the gastrointestinal tract (Gastrointestinal Tract) so that water does not linger anywhere and can easily pass to the exit.

So, we drink the first glass and perform a series of four simple exercises:

1. Let's stand up straight. The legs are located together or at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other. Close your hands above your head. We bend the body sideways to the right and left, bending the body at the waist. We make sure that the heels, pelvis, shoulders and arms are on the same line, and do not twist the body forward. Without lingering in the tilting position, we straighten up and dynamically bend in the other direction. When performing the exercise, the pelvis should not deviate in any direction - the lower part of the body is fixed to the waist, and we bend precisely in the waist area. Attention should be directed to the stretching walls of the abdomen and the processes occurring in the stomach area. We perform the exercise 8-12 times in each direction.
2. We stand straight, place our feet shoulder-width apart. We stretch our right hand forward, and bend our left hand so that the thumb and forefinger touch the right collarbone. We perform body rotations, for which we move the outstretched right arm as far back as possible. The body should be free, the back straight, the chin raised. We look at the fingers of the palm that is laid back. The lower part of the body should remain motionless; we do not rotate with the whole body, but only around the waist. At the end of the turn, we do not stop, return to the starting position, change hands and perform a turn in the other direction. Breathing is natural. We focus all our attention on the sensations in the intestinal area. The exercise is performed 8-12 times in each direction.
3. We move to a lying position and do the third exercise - smooth twists from the “cobra” position. We perform a version of this asana with our knees raised off the ground. Toes are on the ground, the distance between the feet is about 30 cm (required). In this position, we turn our head, torso and shoulders until we see the heel of the leg opposite to the rotation (when turning to the right, we look at the heel of the left leg and vice versa). We do not fix the movement on the turn, but return to the starting position and perform a turn in the opposite direction. Each turn is carried out at the waist, the lower part of the body should remain parallel to the ground. The body will bend down when the abdomen relaxes, and the back is completely relaxed. Keep your navel as close to the ground as possible. We focus our attention on the processes occurring inside us, and try to breathe synchronously with body movements. We repeat the exercise in each direction 8-12 times.
4. And the last exercise is seated crunches. We squat down and place our palms on our knees. Bend your left knee toward the ground, turning your body to the right side, twisting as much as possible. Keep your right knee vertical. We return to the starting position. We do the same thing, only now we tilt our right knee to the ground and turn our body to the left. Using our palms, we push alternately the right and left thigh to the opposite side in such a way that only one half of the abdomen, and therefore the intestines, is pressed against it. We also turn our head in the direction of the twist to increase pressure on the stomach. The body should be relaxed during all movements. We make sure that the spine is straight and the chin is raised. You need to relax your stomach, breathe freely, and don’t forget to concentrate your attention on internal processes. We do 8-12 twists on the left and right sides. You need to know that in the first four exercises it was not at all important which side to start performing them in, but for this exercise you must first stretch and press on the right side of the abdomen, in order push water through the ascending canal of the large intestine.

The entire series takes from 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the speed of execution.

Watch detailed video of Shank Prakshalana exercises.

The classic version suggests continuing to alternate between drinking water and moving until you have drunk 6 glasses of salt water and completed six sets of exercises. In our practice, it was noticed that the number of glasses is individual and directly depends on the size of the intestines - for some, natural evacuation occurs after the 4th glass, while others will need to drink 7 or 8. Gradually, as water is consumed, the pressure in the body will increase . Try to maintain this pressure, focusing all your attention only on practice, ignoring the desire to pause, then the water will quickly come out. As a rule, it is at 5-8 glasses that the crisis moment occurs (this is also individual), and you will need extreme concentration and endurance.

After completing the sixth (on average) cycle, you need to go to the toilet. Under no circumstances should you strain yourself; just sit on the toilet for a few minutes. It doesn’t matter whether the intestines worked or not. If the first evacuation does not occur within 5 minutes, then repeat the set of exercises without consuming any more water. However, it happens that a gas lock or massive accumulations of feces prevent normal cleansing. If there is no result after 6-8 glasses, without drinking water yet, do several more cycles of exercises in a row (once again, please note that the amount of water in each situation is individual). Then drink another glass and do several complexes again. If after this there is no stool, you can take a short break: lie on the floor and massage your stomach clockwise. You can also do a series of exercises several more times without drinking water. If this does not help, then you need to do a small enema - this will start the process. Once the anal sphincter is activated for the first time, problems usually no longer arise and subsequent evacuations occur automatically.

Continue alternating water - exercise - toilet until you achieve a satisfactory result. Yogis continue the procedure until the water comes out as clean as it entered the body. When you have your first bowel movement, your stool will likely be hard. Continue drinking salt water and doing asanas, and gradually a mixture of hard stool and water will begin to come out. As you continue to drink and perform asanas, the output will be more and more water and less and less solid fraction of the stool; by the end of the practice, only yellow or brown liquid will begin to come out of the intestines. Continue the practice until completely clean water appears at the outlet - a sure sign that the intestines are completely clean. Now you need to drink two more (last) glasses of water, perform asanas again and visit the toilet so that the entire gastrointestinal tract is in the best and cleanest condition.
Before completely clear water starts coming out, some people need to drink 10 glasses, and some more. Some people need more liquid to get results in Shank-Prakshalana, others need less. Never compare yourself to someone else, each practice has its own characteristics. Don't worry if you personally experience bowel contractions or take longer to complete your practice than others. Some complete it fairly quickly, while others take about four to six hours.

How to complete Prakshalana correctly?

As soon as the water at the outlet becomes clear, we stop drinking the solution - it’s time to finish! Usually at the final stage the water is clear, but has a distinct yellowish tint caused by the active release of bile from the gallbladder.

Many people recommend doing the next step to close the gastrointestinal sphincters opened by Prakshalana. To do this, we drink a little fresh water (one glass is enough) and pressing two fingers on the base of the tongue, we cause a gag reflex. A slight urge to vomit is enough to tell the body to close the sphincters. We skip this point - everything closes by itself. How important this moment is, we cannot say for sure, but the body works itself, and all sphincters close on their own.

Most likely, after completing the procedure, you will still have to visit the toilet a couple of times.

You should eat within an hour after completing Prakshalana. The classic first meal after this procedure is well-cooked rice without salt and spices with the addition of a tablespoon of butter (or better yet, ghee). The rice will absorb any remaining salt in the digestive tract, and the oil will help lubricate it.

Since we are raw foodists, we do not eat boiled rice or butter. Our first food during the first hour after Prakshalana is carrot-pumpkin cake with herbs (parsley, cilantro, spinach, arugula, any lettuce - whatever) without salt and spices with extra virgin olive oil.

After this 3-4 hours you should not eat anything. You can drink plain water if you feel thirsty. In the evening of the same day, you can resume eating, but it is very important to follow the correct diet.

As a result of Prakshalana, all intestinal microflora is washed away. The formation of new microflora depends on the diet you follow in the first days after Prokshalana. Therefore, we follow approximately the same diet as in preparation for Prakshalana:

Eliminate protein foods (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes), alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and tea, confectionery, bread, sugar and all foods that cause fermentation - THIS IS NOT EVEN DISCUSSED!!!

Some advise after Prokshalana to use a course of drugs containing lactic acid and bifidobacteria for 2-4 weeks. WE DO NOT DO THIS AND WE ARE CATEGORICALLY AGAINST THIS PROCEDURE, since we believe that the intestines should recover on their own. The body can do a lot, even things that are difficult to imagine. If it is allowed to work on its own, then the immune system will be stronger, and the body will restore itself faster and better than if it is helped with additional means. Especially medicinal ones.

After Prakshalana, it is not recommended to go on a fast, since the intestinal flora is disturbed and needs to be restored. And also because salt may remain on the walls, which in hunger can corrode the intestinal walls - everything is logical. BUT... It is also very important to enter into conscious abstinence from food (that is, fasting) with a clean intestine, because the body does not become intoxicated by absorbing stagnant food through the intestinal walls. Therefore, after this procedure, we drink freshly squeezed juices WITHOUT PULP for 2-3 days (can be diluted with water). As soon as the intestines begin to work in our usual mode, we enter into conscious abstinence from food (popularly called “fasting”). Approximately this recovery occurs within 2-3 days. During this time, the juices cleanse the intestines of salt, preparing the body for hunger. With a clean intestine, fasting is easy - you don’t even think about food! There is no pain or dizziness, which only happens as a result of a polluted intestine.

BE HEALTHY!

Traditional and folk medicine offer a wide range of techniques for cleansing the intestines at home. Most people choose unconventional methods of removing toxins because of the convenience and accessibility of their implementation. A popular cleansing mechanism is the Indian teaching of Shank Prakshalana (salt water cleansing), which is chosen because of the ease and low cost of the procedure. Anyone can do it at home.

Anyone can do colon cleansing with salt water at home.

Basic information about the Shankha Prakshalana technique. Hatha yoga offers special methods of complete cleansing of the body, which are called Shatkarmas:

• neti – technique for cleaning the nasal passages;
• nauli - abdominal massage to prevent diseases of internal organs;
• Basti – removal of toxins from the large intestine;
• kapalabhati – cleansing the front part of the brain;
• trataka – strengthening the eyes and vision;
• Dhauti – procedures for cleansing the stomach and intestines.

Of the last set of varisara techniques (shankha prakshalana, shankha prakshalana) the most common and easy to perform at home. It has been used in India for several thousand years. Shankha prakshalana means "conch gesture". The technique cleanses the stomach and entire intestines; after correctly following all the instructions, a person feels a surge of strength and energy: the body and spirit are cleansed. Removing waste and toxins from the body improves the patient's health.

A person’s violent reaction to an allergen disappears, the skin is cleansed, microflora, sleep and wakefulness biorhythms are normalized, and overall protection from harmful influences is increased.

Before you start cleaning at home, you need to visit a gastroenterologist and listen to his advice on the procedure. Schematically, the technique looks like this: cleaning with salt water, doing exercises, diet after cleaning. Difficulties arise during exercise. If you do everything strictly according to the instructions, they can be avoided.

The essence of colon cleansing using the Shank-Prakshalana method is that a person drinks specially prepared salt water on an empty stomach.

The frequency of the procedure depends on the purpose of its implementation. Doctors recommend doing preventive cleaning once a season. To get rid of constipation, shank prakshalana is performed once a week or 2 times a month. The amount of water can also be adjusted for each case.

The Malakhov method includes general recommendations for performing the technique and nutritional advice. The technique continues with the gradual onset of fasting in order to cleanse the body. The famous presenter adds these and other amendments from his own practice, focusing on the classical method of hatha yoga.

Preparing the body for cleansing

Colon cleansing with salt water needs to be planned and all aspects carefully thought through. To do this, a person gets acquainted with the Shank Prakshalana method, studies and does all the exercises in advance, and prepares himself mentally. If you lose the desire to engage in this type of cleansing, then you should not start.

For cleaning with the Shank Prakshalana method at home, the patient chooses a free day. The period of drinking salt water lasts 1–2 hours. The duration of bowel movements depends on the person and the characteristics of his body.

The day before the procedure, a person does not need to load the intestines with heavy food. Doctors advise eating more vegetables, cereals, and drinking a lot (water, juices, fresh juices). It is required to refrain from eating after 6 pm. This will facilitate the Shank Prakshalana procedure and guarantee a positive result.

To completely cleanse the intestines, you need to stock up on warm salt water (3 liters). The drinking temperature should be up to 37 degrees. A hot solution will begin to be quickly absorbed into the blood, while a cold solution will cause harm to the mucous membrane. It is recommended to make a solution at the rate of 20 g of ordinary salt per liter of warm water. The salt content should exceed its level in human blood. If this is not done, the fluid will leave the body in the urine, and the procedure will have to be repeated.

Psychological preparation for the method plays a big role. Followers of hatha yoga recommend creating a calm atmosphere, focusing on the procedure and healing the body. This technique cannot always be used.

Doctors call the following contraindications:

• diseases of the stomach and intestines, the clinical picture of which includes fever, system dysfunction, damage to the mucous membrane;
• viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory system;
• period of menstrual bleeding, pregnancy and lactation in women;
• for hypertension and heart disease;
• presence of cancer and others.

Fasting for the purpose of cleansing the intestines is not included in the list of contraindications, but after it the method is used extremely carefully.

Features of colon cleansing

The general picture of the Malakhov method is to alternate special exercises with salt water, after drinking which they are done. But it's not that simple. Actions according to the instructions always give a positive result. If you don't follow the rules, there will be no effect.

Exercise moves water through the digestive tract

The procedure begins by drinking a glass of liquid on an empty stomach. After this you need to do 5 types of exercises:

• tadasana (in the form of a tree: arms stretch upward);
• tiryaka-tadasana (tree bent by the wind);
• kati-chakrasana (waist movements);
• tiryaka-bhujangasana (like a cobra);
• Udraka-karshanasana (abdominal massage).

Exercise manages water and moves it through the digestive tract. The liquid washes away all harmful substances on its way. Upon completion of the movements, drink another glass of salt water and repeat the movements. Traditional doctors recommend carrying out the procedure with 6 or 8 glasses of water. The body will tell you when you need to stop.

After taking the sixth glass of liquid and a set of exercises, a person goes to the toilet. The urge to go to the toilet appears after 4–5 glasses. It all depends on the body’s reaction to the Shankha Prakshalana technique. Traditional doctors do not recommend forcefully pushing feces out of yourself. This should happen easily and painlessly.

If defecation does not occur within 5 minutes, then you need to repeat the exercises one or more times and do not drink water. After this, the body may not react again. But a small enema will help start the process.

Irritation of the anus, which often occurs from salt water, will not allow washing after using the toilet and lubricating it with vegetable oil.

Follow-up activities include drinking fluids, performing a range of movements, and going to the toilet. Yogis perform the procedure until clear water comes out instead of feces. When a positive result is achieved, traditional doctors recommend drinking the last 2 glasses of salt water and doing a system of exercises to consolidate the result.

You must not eat anything during the entire procedure.

The process goes differently for each person. Therefore, there is no need to compare your results with someone else’s: some cleanse the body with 10 glasses, while others need to drink 2 times more.

At the end of the colon cleansing procedure, Indian traditional medicine advises rinsing the stomach with salt water and inducing vomiting. This will cleanse the stomach of toxins, have a beneficial effect on the gallbladder and liver, and heal the chest.

Throughout the entire procedure, the intestines need to be filled only with salt water; you cannot eat anything. When all the water comes out, the mucous membrane produces a new protective layer. At this time, the person is advised to rest (up to an hour). After this, doctors recommend drinking special bifidobacteria to help the body form healthy microflora. The entire result depends on further nutrition, which you need to pay special attention to.

Sometimes, to cleanse the body, both salt and baking soda are added to water (1:1). Rinsing with soda speeds up the process and helps soften the stool.

Exercise system

Some sources describe 4 main movements for cleaning with salt water, others - 5. The fifth can be done as a preparatory movement before performing the procedure. It helps the body get ready for work and warm up a little.

To perform the movement, you need to straighten up and raise your arms up. As you inhale, stand on your toes and stretch your whole body to feel the muscles of your abdomen, back and legs. As you exhale, lower yourself onto your feet. Yogis recommend doing this several times. Walking in this position is allowed.

The first movement when performing cleansing shankha prakshalana is called tiryaka tadasana. The starting position is preparatory, but the fingers form a lock with palms up. Breathing should be calm. Yogis bend to the sides with their upper torso. The legs and pelvic bones need to be well fixed so that the abdominal muscles work intensively. The movements are repeated 12 times. It helps move the salty solution from the stomach to the intestines and starts the process of cleansing the body.

The second movement involves twisting at the waist. Only the upper torso moves and the abdominal muscles are used. The right hand is extended forward in front of you, and the right collarbone is reached with the left. In this position, the person moves his hand behind his back and makes turns. The exercise is done 12 times and alternate hands. This helps the fluid flow through the small intestine and flush out toxins.

To perform the next exercise - tiryaka-bhujangasana - you need to take a horizontal position. To do this, your toes rest on the surface (floor, mat, ground), your legs are wide apart, your arms are straight, your back is straight. The person needs to rise on his hands and look over his shoulder to see the heel of the other foot. You need to perform 6 movements left and right.

The fifth exercise cleanses the colon using abdominal massage (udara-karshanasana). To perform the movement, yogis squat, place their hands on their knees, and alternately touch the surface with their knees. The other leg along with the torso is pulled up and the stomach is pressed, pressing on the intestines. The person's lower body must be fixed.

Udara-karshanasana (abdominal massage)

Turning the head ensures high-quality performance and efficient movement. Traditional doctors recommend doing it by turning to the right (along the course of the colon). This practice is also used at home for chronic constipation.

The complex is part of the Malakhov method. It helps the body quickly and painlessly remove waste and toxins.

Nutrition after cleaning

In Malakhov’s cleansing method, it is not recommended to eat immediately. Food should enter the digestive system no less than 10 minutes after a complete cleanse, and no later than an hour. It takes time for the formation of a new useful layer of the intestine.

The first product should be rice boiled in water with the addition of melted butter or vegetable oil. Such food is rich in proteins, which compensate for wasted energy and strength. And the oil lubricates the intestinal villi from the inside, and helps the easy passage and absorption of food. Be sure to drink everything with clean water, eat often, and do not eat a lot at one time. Proponents of the Shank Prakshalana method according to Malakhov add lentils or beans to rice, replace rice with wheat, oats or pasta with grated hard cheese.

For a day or two after a complete cleanse, yogis are not advised to consume dairy and fermented milk products, meat, fish, eggs and fresh fruits and vegetables. These products require increased work of the digestive system, which is not ready for such a load. Alcoholic, low-alcohol and energy drinks, confectionery and bakery products are prohibited.

The first product after cleaning should be boiled rice

The technique fosters in a person a culture of proper healthy eating. The diet must be followed for up to 7 days. During this period, traditional doctors recommend introducing new foods little by little and observing the body's reaction.

If you start with meat or fish, it is better to boil or bake than to fry (stew). A sharp load on the intestines can minimize the beneficial effects of cleansing and return the body to its previous or worse state. A person chooses his own diet. Sometimes it is this that determines the duration of the effect after cleansing.

Removing toxins from the digestive tract using the Shank Prakshalana method requires a lot of effort from a person and an understanding of the principle of operation of the procedure. But before it is carried out, you need to visit a gastroenterologist and therapist to exclude possible contraindications. Malakhov’s technique becomes effective only after strict compliance with the instructions and recommendations. This technique helps cleanse the body on a physical and mental level.

Shank Prakshalana is a unique Indian technique of using water and salt to cleanse the intestines. Unlike other methods, when used correctly, it guarantees complete cleansing of the entire digestive tract. The essence of the technique is to drive several liters of salt water through the entire intestine. All that is required is 3 liters of saline solution and a few hours of free time. Shank Prakshalana is absolutely safe, extremely effective and allows you to achieve amazing results in just 1 day.

Why use Shank Prakshalana?

Considering the thousands of years of history of the use of Shank Prakshalana, it is not surprising that in its homeland there are entire institutes dedicated to the study of its effect on the body. The result of these studies was the indications of doctors for the use of this method of bowel cleansing in the following situations:

1. Chronic diseases, as well as frequent colds, problems with the cardiovascular system.
2. General weakness or drowsiness, vitamin deficiency.
3. Skin problems, hair loss.
4. Consequences of stress, depression.
5. Gastrointestinal disorders: indigestion, constipation, liver and gall bladder problems.
6. Allergic reactions.

All these problems can be solved using the Shank Prakshalana procedure. The reason is that after cleansing the intestines, metabolism improves and problems with digesting food disappear.

In addition, the load is relieved from the entire body, due to the fact that you do not have to constantly fight against harmful microbes that have filled the insides. Because of this, immunity is strengthened.

But it is worth considering that there are a number of contraindications for Shank Prakshalana:

1. Serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the fact that the technique puts a lot of stress on this organ system, the tissues may not be able to withstand it and bleeding will begin. And if damage is already present, the salt will corrode it, causing severe pain.
2. Menstruation and pregnancy. This is the time when the female body works to the limit of its capabilities. There is no need to give additional load.
3. A number of cardiovascular diseases. Although Shank Prakshalana has a positive effect on the heart, high blood pressure and increased blood clotting are contraindications to its use. It is also worth taking care of the body after a heart attack, heart attack or stroke.

In any case, before you start cleansing your intestines with salt water, you should consult a doctor and a competent specialist on this issue. This will help prevent unpleasant consequences and negative reviews online.

How is Shank Prakshalana performed?

It seems that everything looks quite simple. You need to drink a few liters of salt water, wait until it comes out naturally and that’s it. But in fact, the procedure has many nuances.

The main difficulty of Shank Prakshalana is the exercises. If you simply drink water, it will remain in the stomach - this way you can only achieve vomiting. To cleanse the intestines, you need to learn how to control the sphincters, which control the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract. This is the only difficulty of the technique.

Therefore, before starting the procedure, it is worth remembering a few tips:

1. It is better to practice all exercises in advance. This is necessary so that you worry less and don’t mess anything up.
2. For Shank Prakshalana, you need to set aside a day off. It is important to start in the morning, on an empty stomach. The procedure itself may take several hours. And after it the body will weaken. It is necessary to have the opportunity to rest so that the body can regain its strength after cleansing.
3. It may not work out the first time. This means you need to try again.
4. Don't overdo it. For the first time you should not drink more than 3 liters of water. Subsequently, this amount may change in one direction or another.
5. Don't forget about individuality. The speed of action of Shank Prakshalana and the amount of liquid required may vary. It depends on many factors.

It is believed that the procedure is completed successfully if the water remains clean after flowing through the intestines. Most likely, this will not be achieved the first time. But don't rush. Using this yoga technique every day will harm the body. Therefore, for maximum positive effect, it is important to remember how often you can do Shank Prakshalana.

Typically, the frequency of colon cleansing at home is once a season. But if indicated or a change in diet, you can use salt water colon cleansing once every two weeks. For constipation, you can repeat the method every 7 days.

How to prepare water?

The most unpleasant part of Shank Prakshalana is the need to drink 3 liters of salt water. However, salt is the fundamental factor that allows fluid to cleanse the intestines. If it is not used, the water will be forced through the kidneys and exited in the urine. The desired effect will not be achieved.

To avoid this, add salt to the water at the rate of 1 tablespoon per liter of purified and boiled liquid. In this case, the solution begins to exceed the salinity of the blood and its absorption does not occur. It is worth adding that you should not use iodized salt. An ordinary stone one will do. For maximum cleansing effect, you can use salt water with lemon. It is enough to squeeze the juice from 1 fruit and add it to the solution.

It is also worth paying attention to the water temperature. Cold liquids cause spasm of the esophageal tissue. This interferes with the relaxation of the sphincters and the free movement of the solution through the gastrointestinal tract.

If the water is at a temperature of about 37 degrees Celsius, then no unpleasant sensations will arise, and the liquid will flow freely throughout the body.

How is the procedure performed?

Colon cleansing with salt water begins in the morning, on an empty stomach. First, drink 1 glass of the prepared solution. Then you need to do a simple set of 5 exercises, take the next portion of water inside and engage in physical activity again.

This is how Shank Prakshalana is cleaned. In total you need to drink 15 glasses of water. But there are several important points that will help assess how correctly the procedure is going:

1. 2nd glass. After drinking it, it is important to listen to your body. If there is no feeling of nausea, then everything is in order and the liquid is not retained in the stomach, you can continue cleansing with salt water.
2. 3rd glass. The first urge to go to the toilet may appear. You shouldn't resist them.
3. 6th glass. Usually at this stage the fluid finally reaches the rectum. Therefore, it is worth sitting on the toilet even without the urge. If defecation has begun, then there will be no problems until the end of the procedure. Sometimes you need to drink 7-8 glasses, not forgetting about exercise.

If everything goes as expected, then you should continue to drink water and do exercises. But if there is no bowel movement after the 6th glass, you should listen to your stomach. Feelings of fullness and nausea mean that you need to continue doing a set of exercises. If no unpleasant sensations arise, it means that the body simply needs more salt water to cleanse the intestines with the help of Shank Prakshalana. Accordingly, you must continue to act according to the instructions.

If the discomfort in the stomach increases and the exercises do not help, it is necessary to stop cleaning and induce vomiting. Relief will occur very quickly. After this, it is better to consult with a specialist to understand your mistakes and repeat the attempt at cleansing with salt water - Shank Prakshalana.

After each bowel movement, it is necessary to wash the anus and under no circumstances use toilet paper. Salt will already irritate the muscles, so you shouldn’t damage it further with friction. On the contrary, it is better to use Vaseline or vegetable oil and lubricate the anus after each visit to the restroom.

Set of exercises

The Shank Prakshalana method involves the use of 5 simple exercises, each of which must be performed 8-12 times after each glass of water with salt. All of them are performed using the abdominal muscles. This is an important point to ensure a complete cleansing of the intestines with salt.

These exercises do not require any specific preparation:

• Tadasana (Mountain Pose). This is stretching. In order to perform it correctly, you need to stand and place your feet shoulder-width apart. Then the fingers are folded into a lock and turned palms up above the head. While taking a deep breath, you need to stand on your toes and look at your fingers. After this, the breath is held as much as possible and with a slow exhalation you can slowly stand on your feet. Your arms can also be relaxed and lowered.
• Tiryaka Tadasana (Bending Tree Pose). This exercise is a little easier. Having stood up and raised your arms up, as when performing the previous task, you just need to bend to the right and left. It is important to take your time and not twist or move your lower body.
• Kati Chakrasana (Waist Rotation). To perform turns, you need to place your feet shoulder-width apart and extend your upper limbs forward. When turning to the right, the right hand is placed behind the back and the left is placed on the shoulder. You need to follow your right palm with your eyes. In this case, you should not strain your arms or neck.
• Tiryaka Bhujangasana (Turning Cobra Pose). Now you can lie down, but not rest on the sofa. You need to stretch out on the floor on your stomach. The legs are spread wide, and the torso is raised on the arms. The pelvis should be in contact with the floor. Then you just need to turn around. When twisting your body to the left, you need to watch your right heel and vice versa.
• Udarakarshanasana (Abdominal massage). No hands are required to perform it. We need to squat down. Then the left knee is lowered to the other leg, and the right knee is pressed against the stomach. Then the legs change.

The first 3 exercises help open the pylorus. This is a sphincter that prevents food from passing from the stomach to the duodenum before it is digested. The fourth exercise helps the movement of water through the small intestine. The latter is necessary to open the iorcecal valve, which separates the large intestine from the small intestine. After this, having passed through the entire intestine, the water leaves the body.

What to do after the procedure?

The Shank Prakshalana method implies that the procedure does not end with the last glass drunk. After the water passes the stomach, it is necessary to close the valves so as not to disrupt the digestion process. For this you need to do Vamana Dhauti.

To do this, drink a couple of glasses of warm water without salt. After this, you need to press on the root of the tongue with your fingers and induce vomiting. For it to pass without discomfort, you need to bend over the toilet so that your head is lower than your pelvis. This will not only block the free passage through the gastrointestinal tract after Shank Prakshalana, but will also help to further cleanse the liver, bile ducts and spleen.

Then you need to rest for half an hour and only after that eat. You should not leave your digestive system idle for more than an hour. Rice porridge with water, with or without ghee, is best for breakfast. You can also add a little tomato paste. It is better not to consume other products.

You can drink only a couple of hours after breakfast. At the same time, it is better to forget about strong tea and coffee for a few days. Also, do not eat meat, fish, fruits and sweets. It is best to limit your diet to vegetables, cereals, cheese and bread. It would be a good idea to take medications to normalize the microflora after cleansing the intestines. According to reviews, in this case he will return to normal much faster.

Shank Prakshalana - this method is very simple to perform, yet effective. This is a yoga method of cleansing the colon with salt water. Shank Prakshalana cleanses completely

Shank Prakshalana - this method is very simple to perform, yet effective. This is a yoga method of cleansing the colon with salt water. Shank Prakshalana cleanses the entire colon and removes food debris from the digestive tract, from the stomach to the anus.

When you drink salt water, it enters the stomach and then, with the help of simple exercises, the water is directed further, through the entire intestine until it exits. The procedure is repeated until the water comes out as clean as it comes in. This procedure is absolutely safe, anyone can perform it, but only if all techniques are followed accurately.

Preparing for a salt water colon cleanse

In heated water, dissolve one tablespoon of sea salt (or unrefined table salt) per liter of water, the resulting concentration is lower than in saline solution. Salt water must be present so that it is not absorbed through osmosis through the mucous membrane and is not removed from the body naturally (in the form of urine). If the water tastes too salty, you can reduce the salt concentration to a more acceptable taste.

Favorable moment for bowel cleansing

The best time to carry out this procedure is in the morning, before meals.

Keep in mind that this procedure takes more than an hour for a beginner, so it is best to do it on a weekend. On this day, avoid performing asanas or strenuous exercises, and the next day too.

1. Fill a glass with warm salted water (the temperature of the water should be the same as the temperature of the soup that you eat with pleasure).

2. Immediately do special exercises.

3. Drink another glass of salted water and do the exercises again.

4. Alternate drinking a glass with special exercises until 6 glasses of salt water have been drunk and six series of exercises have been done accordingly.

5. After you have done all this, you need to go to the toilet.

As a rule, the first evacuation occurs almost immediately. After normal hard stools, softer ones follow, and then completely liquid ones (most likely yellowish in color).

If this does not happen immediately or within 5 minutes, then repeat the set of exercises and go to the toilet.

If there is no result again, which is unlikely, but does happen, then call for evacuation using an enema of non-salt water (after doing a small enema, lie down and relax for a few minutes). After the evacuation mechanism starts working, that is, after the first bowel movements, the rest will be called automatically.

One very useful tip: do not use toilet paper after defecation, but it is best to wash yourself with water, then thoroughly wipe the anus and lubricate it with vegetable oil (olive, castor, etc.) this will help avoid various irritations caused by salt.

After the first bowel movement you should:

Drink a glass of salted water again;

Do a course of exercises;

Visit the toilet to have a bowel movement.

Continue to do this (drink salt water - a course of exercise - bowel movements) until the water coming out is as clean as it enters the body. It all depends on how polluted the intestines are, usually 10-14 glasses of salt water are enough (usually no more is required).

When you are satisfied with the results of the procedure, that is, when the emerging water is completely clean at your discretion, you can stop the procedure. At the end of the procedure, you may still feel the urge to go to the toilet for the next hour, this is perhaps the only inconvenience.

Another recommendation is that after the procedure, it is advisable to drink three glasses of unsalted water and do Vamana Dhauti (induce vomiting), tickle the back surface of the upper palate and uvula with three fingers of your right hand. This will completely empty the stomach and turn off the evacuation mechanism.

In case of failure

If suddenly, after drinking four glasses of salt water, you feel that the liquid in the stomach does not pass normally into the intestines, and you feel fullness and nausea, this indicates that the first sphincter has not opened properly. All this can be fixed. To do this, do not drink more liquid, but do two or three series of exercises. As soon as the feeling of nausea passes, it will indicate that the passage to the stomach has opened. Once the evacuation mechanism is launched, there will be no more difficulties, you can safely continue the procedure.

Sometimes it happens that a gas plug has formed in the intestines, which prevents the evacuation mechanism from being activated. To fix this, you just need to press on the stomach with your hands or do sarvangasana or “plow” (stand on the shoulder blades, it is also possible to do the “plow” in a simplified version without straightening up too much and without touching your feet to the floor, for one minute) as well as the other four exercises .

In the worst case, when the liquid does not come out no matter what you do, you can only decide and do vamana dhauti (induce vomiting), to do this, tickle the base of the tongue with three fingers of your right hand, you can do nothing, then the water will come out naturally as urine.

After the procedure, rest and avoid feeling hungry.

First meal

After shank prakshalana, you need to follow some recommendations. Eat no earlier than half an hour and no later than an hour after the procedure. Do not leave the digestive tract for more than an hour!

What should your first meal consist of? Cleaned rice cooked in water, but not overcooked (the grains should melt in your mouth). You can add slightly salted tomato juice to the rice; you should not use pepper and various hot seasonings. You can add well-cooked lentils or carrots to rice. You should eat 40 grams of butter along with rice. The butter can be melted in the rice, but it is better to do it separately in a water bath, or eat it from a spoon without melting it. Instead of rice, you can use boiled wheat, oats or flour products (pasta, noodles, spaghetti, etc.), seasoning them with grated cheese.

Attention! Rice should not be cooked in milk. Also, over the next 24 hours, you should not drink milk or kefir, and sour foods and drinks, fruits and raw vegetables are also contraindicated. Bread can be eaten during the second meal. Any hard or semi-hard cheeses are not prohibited. It is not recommended to eat white cheese and fermented cheese (brie, calambert).

After 24 hours, you can go back to your normal diet, limiting only your meat consumption.

Drink

Salt water will transfer some of your body fluids to the digestive tract during the exchange process. This will be the main part of the cleansing. After the procedure you will feel thirsty. But you shouldn’t drink any liquid, even clean water, before your first meal, as you will support the evacuation mechanism and will continue to go to the toilet.

After the first meal, you can drink water and weak infusions: lime-mint infusion, mineral water (slightly carbonated or still). Drinking alcohol during the day is strictly prohibited!

The first bowel movements will appear 24 or 36 hours after the procedure, do not worry about this. They will be golden yellow in color and will not have the smell of a baby. It is good to carry out this procedure at least twice a year. The average frequency of its holding is four times a year (according to the changing seasons). People who are serious about cleansing can perform this procedure every month. Dhirendra Brahmachari recommends doing Shank Prakshalana once every 15 days.

In general, this procedure cannot be called pleasant; of course, there are more pleasant activities. The most unpleasant thing about this procedure is drinking warm salt water, the rest doesn’t matter. People with a delicate taste can be offered a drink from a weak decoction of onions, leeks or other vegetables.

People who suffer from constipation can do shank prakshalana every week, but they should limit themselves to six glasses of water. In this case, the entire procedure will take approximately 30 minutes. This is a very good “charge” for the intestines, and the walls of the colon do not stretch.

Beneficial Effects of Colon Cleansing

The first result of cleansing the intestines with salt water is getting rid of impurities, deposits that have been absorbed into the mucous membrane of the colon. You can be horrified by what your intestines can absorb. Many people who do not suffer from constipation and regularly empty their bowels mistakenly assume that there can be nothing in their intestines. But imagine their surprise when, among the removed “waste,” they discover a cherry pit that they swallowed several months ago. In the yogic hospital they are often surprised how many different wastes can remain in the intestines, accumulating there for months and even years. It’s amazing that a person can have so many different impurities; is it then worth wondering where various diseases come from, when the whole body is literally poisoned by the toxins accumulated in it?

In any case, it is unreasonable to put up with this. Therefore, it is worth performing shank prakshalana and getting rid of those deposits that have accumulated in your digestive tract. The positive effect of this procedure will not affect the next day and will not be evident to everyone, but it will certainly manifest itself in the form of fresh breath, and the skin on the face and body will be cleansed. Of course, if you follow a low-toxic diet (without excess meat), body odors, which can be very strong, will disappear and your complexion will improve. Among other things, this procedure has a tonic and stimulating effect on the liver (this will be noticeable by the color of the excrement).

Lonovala's doctors successfully healed patients with diabetes in the early stages by performing shank prakshalana once every two days for two months (they also followed the diet, pranayama and other yogic procedures).

It is likely that the pancreas, under the influence of general stimulation, produces more insulin.

Also, colds and other diseases associated with metabolism, and seemingly unrelated, are cured quite easily and quickly.

One of the most important results of performing Shank Prakshalana is getting rid of allergic diseases.

The result of cleansing the digestive tract is good absorption of food, which leads to the fact that thin people gain weight, and those who need to lose weight lose weight.

Contraindications to salt water colon cleansing

There are few contraindications. These are people with stomach ulcers, first they must heal the ulcer, and after that, they can be treated for peptic ulcer by performing shank prakshalana. The same recommendation for those who have diseases of the digestive tract during the period of exacerbation, these are dysentery, diarrhea, acute colitis (chronic colitis after performing this procedure can be significantly alleviated, again, it should not be performed during the period of exacerbation), acute appendicitis and, in addition, cancer.

Apparently, these contraindications are not definitive. In practice, there is a unique case of curing dysentery with shank prakshalana, despite the fact that before this the patient had previously undergone a standard course of treatment, and it did not bring him relief.

This procedure is very effective at the final stage of the course of treatment for oxyurosis.

In fact, when the entire contents of the intestine are evacuated, the worms with their eggs also come out. But there are still so many of them that some of the eggs may remain.

In order for water to pass through the entire digestive tract, it is enough to perform the exercises below. Each movement must be performed four times in each direction, alternately, at a fast pace: the entire series of these exercises takes about one minute (it can be faster).

Exercises

First exercise. Starting position: standing, the distance between the feet is approximately 30 cm, fingers intertwined, palms up. The back is straight, breathing is even and free. Standing straight, tilt first to the left, then smoothly bend to the right without stopping. Do such tilts in both directions four times, in other words, alternately do 8 tilts to the left and to the right. In general, this should take approximately 10 seconds.

This exercise opens the pylorus of the stomach. With each tilt, part of the water leaves it, passing into the duodenum and small intestine.

Second exercise. This exercise forces water to flow through the small intestine. Starting position: standing, spread your legs, extend your right arm forward horizontally, and bend your left so that the index and thumb touch the right collarbone. Turn your torso, moving your outstretched arm as far back as possible (while looking at your fingertips). Not forgetting that the lower part of the body should remain motionless, that is, turns are made not with the whole body, but around the waist. At the end of the turn, without stopping, return to the starting position and immediately turn in the other direction. This double exercise should also be repeated four times. The duration of this series of exercises is approximately 10 seconds.

Third exercise. In order for the water to continue to move through the small intestine, it is necessary to perform the cobra variation, but at the same time, the big toes must touch the floor, and the hips, therefore, must be raised above the floor. The feet are spread 30 cm apart - this is very important. Having assumed this position, turn your head, shoulders and torso until you see the opposite heel (if you turn to the right, then you need to see the left heel). Again, without stopping, return to the starting position and turn in the other direction. Turns are made only by the upper part of the body, the lower part remains motionless and parallel to the floor. Only downward bends are allowed. The double exercise is repeated 4 times. Duration 10 – 15 seconds.

Fourth exercise. This exercise is aimed at passing the water that has already reached the end of the small intestines through the large intestine. Of all the exercises, this is perhaps the most difficult, but accessible to everyone, with the exception of people with diseases of the lower leg and meniscus.

Starting position: squat down, feet spread apart by about 30 cm, with the heels located at the outer part of the thighs, and not under the seat, hands on the knees, knees also spread apart by about 30 cm. Then turn the torso and lower the knee to the floor in front of the opposite foot. The palms alternately point the right thigh towards the left side and the left thigh towards the right side so as to press on one side of the abdomen and press on the large intestines. Turn your head back to increase the twisting of your torso and put more pressure on your stomach.

First, you need to apply pressure on the right side of the abdomen in order to push down on the ascending colon. Unlike previous exercises, in which it did not matter which direction you started doing (right or left).

Like other exercises, this must also be performed 4 times. Duration 15 sec.

If suddenly this exercise is difficult to perform for some reason, you can replace it with the “lazy” plow exercise for one minute, then lie down and relax for one minute.

Summary of the General Process

1.Drink a glass of warm salted water, one tablespoon of salt per liter of water.

2. Do the whole set of exercises.

3. drink a second glass of water and do a set of exercises again.

4. Repeat this until you drink six glasses.

5. Next, go to the toilet and wait until the first evacuation occurs. If this does not happen within 5 minutes, do another set of exercises and do not drink any more water. If again there is no result, then do a small enema to enhance peristalsis.

6. Drink a glass of water again, do some exercises and go to the toilet.

7. Continue like this; water - exercise - toilet until the result satisfies you. Yogis do this procedure until the water that comes out becomes as clean as you drink it.

8. In order to complete the procedure and remove water from the gastrointestinal tract, do vamana dhauti (induce vomiting): drink two glasses of warm water without salt and empty the stomach. Thanks to this, the liver, spleen, gall bladder will be cleansed and the evacuation mechanism will turn off. If you do not do Vamana Dhauti, you will visit the toilet several more times within an hour.

9. You need to give yourself a rest for about half an hour, then you can eat, do not leave your stomach empty for more than an hour.

10. You can only drink after eating, so don't be thirsty.

Which cleanses the entire gastrointestinal tract of harmful substances, excess deposits and toxins. Performing Shank Prakshalana falls into several simple steps, but do not rush to master them without proper preparation.

This technique is quite dangerous if a person without experience takes it on.We will help you prepare your body and mind for this cleansing practice.

This also applies to asanas - on the day of the procedure, the practitioner needs complete rest.If you fasted before Shank Prakshalana, it is recommended to drink a cup of herbal tea in the morning - this will give the body the necessary strength.

But this is the only thing you can afford. Otherwise, no drinks or food should be consumed before the procedure.

To successfully perform this technique, you will need specially prepared water:

1. Take 5 liters of water,preferably purified using filters. You can buy a 5-liter bottle in the store.
2. Add salt to water at the rate of 1 teaspoon per 1 liter.
3. Heat the water until it is warm. Do not bring the solution to a boil under any circumstances.

R The distance between your legs should be about 30 cm. Having assumed this position, turn your head and torso to the side so that you can see the opposite heel.Then return to the starting position and turn in the other direction.

During turns, the stomach bends down, and the back should be in a relaxed position.

The most important is the fourth exercise - Tiryaka-bhujangasana.

The completion of this complex is Udarakarshanasana, which is performed according to the following scheme:

1. Take a sitting position, squatting.
2. Place your left knee on the floor.
3. Turn your torso and head to the right side, all the way. At the same time, keep your right knee vertical.
4. Return to the starting position and complete all stages of the exercise, but on the other side.

Tip: each of the exercises included in Shank Prakshalana can be performed separately. All of them have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

General technique for performing Shank Prakshalana

Let's look at each element of this practice as a whole.

Having prepared the solution and gathered your courage, do all of the following:

1. Drink one glass of solution (200–300 ml)
2. Perform one cycle of each of the exercises described in the previous section.
3. Drink a second glass of solution, repeat the exercises
4. After 5-6 glasses, you will feel a strong urge to have a bowel movement. Go to the toilet
5. The practice continues until the water coming out of the intestines appears clear

Tip: If during Shank Prakshalana you begin to feel nausea or heaviness in your stomach, it means that you have failed to open the sphincter leading from the stomach to the intestines. In this case, we recommend that you resort to abdominal massage in Uttanasana or another pose that is convenient for you.

What to do after the procedure is completed?

Keep your stomach empty for an hour after completing Shankh Prakshalana.The first meal should be very light and low-fat. Boiled rice or porridge with water will do.

It is not recommended to drink water before your first meal, as this can stop the intestinal cleansing process. After completing Shank Prakshalana, you will continue to go to the toilet until you have eaten.

During the day after the procedure, refrain from:

1. Milk and kefir
2. Raw fruits and vegetables
3. Fish
4. Alcohol
5. Coffee and other products containing chemical additives

Tip: boiled vegetables are not prohibited for consumption.

The diet should continue for 2-3 days after the procedure. In this case, you will achieve the most effective results from Shank Prakshalana.