Laghu Shankhaprakshalana Kriya, a yogic cleansing ritual, promises a journey towards wellness

Laghu Shankhaprakshalana Kriya: अर्ध शंख प्रक्षालन

Laghu Shankhaprakshalana Kriya, a yogic cleansing ritual, promises a journey towards wellness, restoring your inner balance and cultivating a harmonious state of being through deep detoxification and mindful practice.

Shankhaprakshalana is a yogic exercise and practice for bowel cleansing technique. This is performed after regular yoga in physical posture, relaxation sessions, pranayama (Breathing Practice) and meditations. It helps to clean and nourish the digestive system by drinking a large quantity (8 To 10 Glasses) of warm water (May take a decoction of Triphala water). It’s also known as a “Varisara Dhauti” or “Intestinal Cleansing”. This practice helps to remove toxins from the digestive tract and promote overall well-being.

Benefits:

Shankhaprakshalana has several health benefits:

1. Digestive health & Detoxification: Laghu Shankhaprakshalana kriya is known to be an effective treatment for constipation, indigestion, and other digestive problems. It helps in Purification with the cleansing and elimination process of the bowel thus achieving rejuvenation of the digestive system.
2. Role of cleansing the bowel as an important component of the management of hypertension (HTN) and heart disease.
3. Laghu Shankhprakshalana kriya, this complementary therapy and healing practice along with other yoga practices mentioned above are quite helpful in the management of stress, anxiety and depression. This helps to control elevated pitta dosha in the body. In Ayurveda purgation (virechana) can be used for constipation (bandha) which eliminates pitta.
4. Mental Health; On constant yogic practice one can master the modification changes that arise due to worse or worse situations and mind also known as Chitta Vritti Norodha and this helps to calm the mind – Mana Prashamana Upaya. Has a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
5. Also effective in irritable bowel syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with a high prevalence of 9.6% in Asian countries. Low-grade mucosal inflammation, impaired gut motility, altered gut - microbiome, hypersensitivity, and dietary influence are associated with the pathophysiology of IBS which is often seen in the link with dyspepsia, dysphagia, non-cardiac chest pain, and nausea.
6. Ayurveda suggests mridu virechana for Vata disorders such as Katishoola (Low Back Pain-Lumbago), where medicated drugs are given to the patients to loosen stools & pass.
7. Helps to manage weight loss, it helps to remove excess water weight and toxins from the body, which can lead to a slimmer figure.
8. Supports boosting immunity and the immune system by removing toxins and waste from the body, which can make it easier for the body to fight off infection.
9. Increase an energy level.
10. After a Shankhaprakshalana kriya go to the toilet and perform Ashvini Mudra (rapid contraction and release of the anal muscles). This Mudra stimulates peristalsis of the intestines.
11. A yogi performs this kriya, particularly for removing spinal stiffness that helps them to sit for a long time in sukhasana for dhyana mudra.
12. During a Shankhaprakshakana kriya include prayer and music therapy.
13. After cleansing the elementary system, plan diet and use of dietary supplements after the kriya in a daily regimen.

Refer to a YouTube Video for more information and practice:

1. अर्ध शंख प्रक्षालन करेगा कब्ज़ का permanent इलाज |Constipation | पेट की बीमारियों को करें दूर |Detox - (182) अर्ध शंख प्रक्षालन करेगा कब्ज़ का permanent इलाज |Constipation | पेट की बीमारियों को करें दूर |Detox - YouTube for Mrinal Asana (Tadhasana), Skandha Asana, Kak Aasana (Tiryaka Aasana), Shankha Aasana
2. Laghu Shankha Prakshalana | Yogic Kriya for Digestive Disorders | Complete Cure of Constipation - (182) Laghu Shankha Prakshalana | Yogic Kriya for Digestive Disorders | Complete Cure of Constipation - YouTube

Other health benefits that have been attributed to Laghu Shankhaprakshalana Kriya include Relief from menstrual cramps, Reduction of acne and other skin problems, Improvement of kidney function, Prevention of gallstones, Reduced risk of cancer, migraine-associated abdominal discomfort, etc.

***It is important to note that Laghu Shankhaprakshalana Kriya is a powerful practice that should not be undertaken without proper instruction. It is best to learn the practice from a qualified yoga instructor. Nowadays, in Ayurveda institutes or Ayurvedic consultants, yoga centres are helping people to practice all such yogic exercises under expert guidance. You can visit and get a consultation easily in India...search in your surroundings for Ayurvedic experts and institutes.

There are several yogic cleansing rituals, also known as “Shatkarmas” or “Kriyas”, that are used in yoga to cleanse the body and mind. Here are a few: Neti: This involves cleansing of the nasal passages, Nauli: This involves strengthening of the abdominal organs, Basti: This is the cleansing of the large intestine, Kapalbhati: This involves cleansing of the frontal area of the brain, Tratak: This is intense gazing of a point developing concentration and cleansing the mind. We will give more information on our next blog keep watching. In addition to these, there are other practices like smudging with sage, meditation, aromatherapy, and more. These practices aim to purify the spirit, mind, and body from negative energy.