Shank Prakshalana is one of the six Hatha Yoga Kriyas. It is a very strong purification technique as it cleans the whole digestive system from the mouth to the anus.

"Shank" means shell and "Prakshalana" means cleansing. Shells have a lot of curves in them and in this way are similar to our intestines. Try to pour water into a shell. To have the water in the last curve we have to rotate the shell. We use the same technique in the practice of Shank Prakshalana kriya but instead of rotations we perform five specific asanas.

Effect of the Shank Prakshalana Kriya

Shanka Prakshalana detoxifies the body and helps develop good digestion. It is good for allergies, skin disorders, fatigue, balance, candida, acidity, gas, and constipation.

It strengthens the immune system, helps relieve the symptoms of arthritis and purifies the blood.

Pranically recharges the whole body, removes blockages form the nadis and purifies all the chakras.

Strengthens your will power.

Psychically prepares the way for higher states of consciousness. Any sadhana (spiritual practice) gives manifold results after the kriya.

Caution: Shanka Prakshalana should not be practiced during pregnancy or menstruation,if one has a large kidney or gallbladder stone, weak kidneys, chronic diabetes, hernia, low blood pressure, gastritis, ulcers, mental disorders, or by persons under the age of 15.

Is it like colonic irrigation?

Colonic irrigation, also known as colonic hydrotherapy or colon cleansing, cleans the large intestine (colon) using warm water that is passed into the bowel through a tube that is inserted into the rectum. The ileocecal valve stops water entering from the colon (1.5m long) in to the small intestine (7m long) so only the colon is cleansed. When the colon is full, the water is released “flushing” the colon clean. Usually the colon is flushed twice in one session then the whole procedure is repeated a few days later until a “clear flush” is achieved. Usually vegetarians will achieve a clear flush after 2 to 3 sessions and non-vegetarians after 10 to 20 sessions.
Shanka Prakshalana cleans the whole digestive tract using warm salty water that is drunk and eventually passed out assisted on the way by certain Yoga postures. Shanka Prakshalana cleans in one session as the process continues until clear water is passed.

The Practise

This technique is practiced in the morning on an empty stomach and for at least the first three times should definitely be practiced under the guidance of a Yoga in Daily Life teacher.

Preparation

Shanka Prakshalana is a kriya that takes 40 days to complete or 20 days for those who follow a vegetarian diet and do not drink alcohol. It requires a certain amount of will power and forbearance to get through the initial cleanse and the following diet so it is good to mentally prepare oneself.
From my personal experience in practicing this kriya I have found it very beneficial to not eat any solid food the day before. Soups, fruit smoothies, juices, and other liquid food are fine but stay away from stodgy food that can bung you up like bread. Don’t eat anything after 6pm the day before.
Go shopping to make sure you have the correct food for the diet afterwards, especially for the first few days. See if you can get a copy of the Shanka Prakshalana Survival Cookbook produced by Yoga in Daily Life. This is usually supplied if you practice this kriya in a Yoga in Daily Life centre (highly recommended). It is packed with delicious Shanka Prakshalana friendly recipes for each day of the diet.
Make sure you have the day off for the first day. This means no commitments – just relaxation.
Have a complete change of clothes handy for the day of the practice as it is a physically exerting technique that can make you very hot.

The Technique

Shank Prakshalana involves drinking a large quantity of warm salty water while dynamically practising a set of five postures – Trikonasana, Triyak Bhujangasana, Sideways bending of the body, Meru Prishthasana and Tadasana.
The water should be kept at a constant temperature of 34-40 °C throughout the practice.
About ½ a teaspoon of salt per litre of water is used. Best to use sea salt or diet salt for people with high blood pressure.
Drink the water quickly and after each glass practice the five asanas to help aid the water through your digestive system.
After five glasses go to the toilet and perform Ashvini Mudra (rapid contraction and release of the anal muscles) to stimulate peristalsis.
Continue drinking the warm salty water and after each glass practice the five postures and go to the toilet. Eventually you will pass clear water, it may be slightly yellowish but should not contain any solids.
At this stage you stop drinking the salty water but continue with the five asanas until no more water passes out of your system. By the time this happens usually it has taken 1.5 to 2.5 hours from the start.

Then kunjal kriya is practiced (but without salt) to cleanse the stomach, oesophagus and bronchial tubes.
Finally jal neti helps prevent headache and completes the initial cleansing phase of this kriya.
Next comes the practice of Yoga Nidra, deep relaxation, for one hour after. Cover your body as you will cool during Yoga Nidra – do not fall asleep.
After Yoga Nidra eat a large quantity of khitcheri that has been prepared especially for the first meal after Shanka Prakshalana. This food is like a tonic for your digestive system, it has the effect of providing a protective film on the intestinal tract as well as other benefits. Do not drink for 2 hours after eating this meal.
The day of the practise should be left free for relaxation.

It is recommended to practice this technique under the guidance of a Yoga in Daily Life teacher as they will have many tips and tricks to help you through this process.
The asanas are practiced in a very dynamic way, not like in the usual Yoga in Daily Life class so it is very helpful to be shown how to do them.

The Diet

Day 0 (the day before)
Eat light, easy to digest, foods such as fruit. Stay away from stodgy foods like bread.
Better still don’t eat solid food. Have smoothies, fruit juice for energy, yogurt, liquid soups etc.
Even better still – fast.

Day 1
On the day eat khicheri straight after the practice. This should be thoroughly cooked almost to the consistency of baby food. The same day for dinner eat Khicheri again. This time you can cook it with carrot and potato. It will help the digestive system.

Days 1 – 7
Eat easily digestible food as the intestines will be very sensitive.
Avoid milk, cheese (cottage cheese is okay), raw fruits and vegetables, tea and coffee.
Steamed fruit or vegetables are okay. Don’t use salt. Have potatoes without the skin on.

Days 1-20
Avoid gas forming foods such as beans, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, onions, hot spices, and carbonated drinks.

Days 1-40
Avoid meat, fish, eggs and alcohol. For our health it is best to do without these completely.

There are no restrictions on the amount of food, only the type of food.

See the Yoga in Daily Life Shanka Prakshalana Survival Cookbook for absolutely delicious recipes for each day of the diet.

To increase the peristaltic movement of the intestine it would be advisable to practice the Aswini Mudra or Nauli daily. It is absolutely normal not having stool for 2 -3 days after the Shank Prakshalana kriya. If you want you can drink hot unsalted water every morning after the kriya and practice the 5 asanas (be prepaid to ache for the first few days)

 Shanka Prakshalana should be practiced four times a year, at the change of the seasons. At these times our internal bio-rhythm changes. Alternatively practice at least twice a year, mid-October to beginning of November, and mid-March to beginning of April.

Practicing at a Yoga in Daily Life Centre

Ask your Yoga teacher about doing Shanka Prakshalana and get their recommendation.
You should be able to do Kunjal Kriya and Neti and be able to stick to the special diet.
Straying from the diet can have detrimental effects so it is important to make a strong resolve to keep to it.

Things you won't need to bring

• Salt
• Mung beans
• Kitcheri

Things to bring with you

• Neti pot
• Towel
• Complete change of clothes (it can be very sweaty!)
• Titiksha - steadfastness

Things you will leave behind

• Toxic build-up
• Old stale energy
• Some karmas

Shanka Prakshalana has many wonderful effects on body, mind and soul. When you do a big spring clean of your house it feels very refreshing and you are more inclined to keep it tidy. Similarly when you do Shanka Prakshalana you will feel refreshed and uplifted and you will naturally be more careful and considered about what you put in your body afterwards, especially after going to so much trouble to clean it!

References:
Yoga in Daily Life The System by Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda
Ibera ISBN 3-85052-000-5

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