Dhauti: A Beginners Guide

Shatkarmas are six purification processes in yoga to cleanse the body and prepare the individual for higher practices of yoga. These techniques not only cleanse the body but also the mind and aid in the spiritual journey.  

These cleansing practices remove impurities from body channels and ease the flow of the vital energy Prana through the whole body, creating harmony between Ida and Pingala, thus balancing both body and mind. 

The different Shatkarmas are:

• Dhauti

• Basti

• Neti

• Trataka

• Nauki

• Kapalabhati

What is Dhauti?

Dhauti means internal cleansing. This kriya intends to cleanse the internal organs by removing toxins and undigested food particles. This practice provides the practitioner with control over peristaltic and antiperistaltic movements, which are involuntary. 

Different types of Dhauti

Gheranda Samhita mentions four types of Dhauti Kriyas. 

1. Antara Dhauti

2. Danta Dhauti

3. Hrida Dhauti

4. Mula shodhana

Let’s have a detailed look at them.

Antara Dhauti

Antara Dhauti is related to the purification of the digestive system. It is divided into four. These are Vatasara, Varisara, Agnisara, and Bahishkrita Dhauti. 

• Vatasara Dhauti: This is done by sucking in the air and expanding the stomach. After holding it as long as possible, the air is expelled through the intestine. An inverted asana is practiced for the smooth flow of air.

• Varisara Dhauti: Warm, salty water is consumed by the individual to clean the gut. Particular asanas are practiced to allow a smooth water flow. 

• Agnisara Dhauti:   Abdominal muscles are used to stir the abdomen to increase the gastric fire. This is also known as Vahnisara Dhauti.

• Bahiskrita Dhauti:  This is performed by placing the rectum inside out and washing it while standing waist-deep in water. 

Danta Dhauti 

Danta Dhauti is related to dental cleansing. This includes the purification of the upper part of the throat and associated organs. It is classified into four. These are Dantamula, Jihvamula, Karnayugma, and Kapalarandhra Dhauti. 

• Dantamula Dhauti:  Extract of acacia catechu or pure clay is used to massage gums, and teeth roots are cleaned. 

• Jihvamula: Jihvasodhana is cleansing the root of the tongue by scraping it to remove impurities. Jihva, or tongue, is later massaged using butter and milk. This kriya prepares one for Kechari mudra.

• Karnayugma Dhauti: As the name suggests, this cleanses the ears, enabling one to listen to not only external but internal sounds as one reaches higher levels of consciousness.

• Kapalarandhra: This cleanses the rear end of the soft palate on the roof of the mouth. This improves eyesight and cleanses the nadis.

Hrid Dhauti

Hrid Dhauti, which is practiced for chest cleansing, is classified into Danda, Vamana, and Vastra Dhauti.

• Danda Dhauti: This is performed using a long, soft stick made from banana stalk, turmeric, or cane. It is guided into the gullet and slowly taken out. This is beneficial against diseases related to the gullet and stomach. 

• Vamana Dhauti: In this type of Dhauti, one has to gulp down salty water, and the back of the throat is tickled to make one vomit. 

• Vastra Dhauti: A long strip of cloth is swallowed, allowed to stay in the stomach for some time, and then taken out. This intends to clean the esophagus and stomach area. The length of the cloth may vary. 

Though Dhauti Kriyas are extremely beneficial in cleansing the digestive system, they should only be practiced under the guidance of expert practitioners.

Chakras

Chakras and Adharas are energy centers and focal points, which when activated can completely transform human life and experiences and help us realize our maximum potential. 

Misconceptions 

People interested in Yoga must have heard about Chakras and Adharas. However, most of them are unaware of its real meaning and often misunderstand it. In our mundane lives, we hardly use these words. 

Generally, we come across the words, in specific textbooks and while listening to experts. The knowledge thus we gain about them is usually a complex of disconnected ideas evolved from different philosophies put forward by different schools of thought. These ideas may not provide us with a full picture and even create confusion and conflict in our understanding if not comprehended properly. 

To better understand, let’s look into some critical texts in this context. 

• Shaiva Aagamas mentions 144 chakras 

• Baudha Tantras mentions 5 chakras 

• Shakteya Tantras mentions 6 chakras

• Yoga Darshanas mention no chakras or adharas.

Chakras and Adharas

According to Hatha Yoga, there are sixteen adharas and six chakras in the human body. Adharas are focal points from which energy originates in the body. From the crown of the head to the toe, there are several adharas in the body. The adharas situated between the perineum to the mid eyebrow area are highly significant in their impact. By focusing the mind, when certain subtle yoga practices are performed, sadhak experiences various stimuli at some of these focal points. As these stimuli are spinning or cyclical, these adharas are termed as chakras. 

‘Serpent Power’ and the misinterpretations

As people are generally ignorant about such subjects, it has always caused confusion among those who try to explore them. Some books written on these subjects only cover superficial aspects and not diving deep, creates further confusion in the minds of the readers. ‘Serpent Power’ is a famous book among yoga enthusiasts written by Sir John Woodroffe. It is based on the extracts of ‘Shad Chakra Niroopanam’ and ‘Paduka Panchakam’ taken from Sri Tatvachinthamani written by Poornananda Natha.

Although it was well received by yoga enthusiasts, due to a lack of proper knowledge and understanding regarding the facts it led to various misinterpretations. The author later clarified that the book was not written based on practical knowledge, to remove the confusion. Although there are 6 chakras, when the book was interpreted, people realized the top one (Sahasrara) was super important and split it in two, making 7 chakras. 

Consciousness and Manifested Energy

Among the six chakras, five are connected to the five elements (pancha bhoota) and five senses (panchendriya). Ajna chakra, the sixth chakra situated at the top represents the Bodha Mandala, which acts as the foundation of all actions. Now, it is important to understand where the prana is dormant and awakened in the body. The part of the body where the life force originates and ends are called ‘Kula Sahasrara’ and ‘Akula Sahasrara’ respectively. Pure consciousness is called the ‘Shivam’ or ‘Akula’ and the manifested energy is ‘Shakti’. 

A Guide to Yoga Practice and Frequency

Whether you are learning a new subject or acquiring a skill, you need to practice it for a while. Only after practicing regularly for a certain number of times, can you master it. The same goes for yoga. If you are a yoga enthusiast, especially a newbie in the field, you might be confused as to how frequently you should practice to be proficient in yoga? To give clarity on this question, let’s further explore the various aspects of this question.

Yoga: A Way of Life

Yoga being a fitness activity, is a mistaken notion. It is not just a simple practice but a lifestyle itself. Whether it is postures or breathing activities, yoga intends to bring attention to the body and breath, and thereby to the inner mechanisms. The idea here is to be mindful of your open being and present in the moment. Conscious breathing is a cultivated art these days, as we are hardly aware of it. 

Yoga helps us turn our attention inward. By removing our attention from the external surroundings, we can better focus on ourselves. This will culminate in understanding our true nature. However, this takes consistent practice.

The Significance of Consistent Efforts

Yoga is a way of living a balanced life. It holistically addresses the issues with body, mind, and spirit. As it is a comprehensive practice, it requires persistent and consistent efforts. Intermittent practices won’t do the work. Practicing yoga is like cultivating a garden. It takes time to plant the seeds and tend to them until they bear the fruits and flowers. Beginning with yoga postures and breathing techniques and progressing towards advanced stages takes uninterrupted practice.

Practice frequency

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to yoga. Like any other practice, yoga learning should be based on individual capability and availability of time. 

Flexibility

Some may learn yoga after practicing for a few times, whereas others may take more time. The practice frequency for thorough learning is different for different individuals. A person with no prior knowledge of yoga may practice one or two times in a week to grasp the practices. More dedicated aspirants can expand their practice by engaging in it almost four or five times a week. This is a suggestion that may completely depend on your needs and availability. If you are a working professional, you might not have the time and mental space to dedicate to practice. 

Body as a guide

Your body is the best guide. There is no better indicator than your intuition and the sensations in your body. Energy and vitality are a signal to further progress with your practice. Feeling exhausted is an indication that it is time to either proceed with a lighter practice or stop altogether. 

A combination of practices

Incorporating different varieties of yoga in the practice can help remove monotony and make it more interesting. A combination of easy and different yoga practices can help manage the difficulty. Variety can make the practice exciting and interesting too. 

Regular practice

Practicing yoga regularly can immensely aid in your personal growth by improving flexibility, vitality, and mental stability. With regular practice, you can gain clarity and focus, which help you move in the right direction. Thorough practice can help turn hesitant aspirants into confident and energetic practitioners.  

A lifelong journey

It is important to realize that yoga is a marathon, not a sprint. It is not to be practiced and learned in a single go. Yoga should be incorporated into the daily routine. It is a practice to balance the body and mind by incorporating physical activities, mindfulness techniques, and dietary adjustments.