Preparation of Shankha Prakshalana

It is advisable to take a light, semi-liquid meal the night before undertaking this practice. Plenty of clean, lukewarm water should be available and also extra hot water in case the temperature of the water falls below body temperature. Add 2 teaspoons of salt powder per litre to the water, so that it tastes mildly salty. It is necessary for a special food of good quality white rice and pulse, preferably mungdal, cooked with ghee, clarified butter, to be prepared. This preparation is called 'Khicheri'. The rice and lentil should be cooked together in water until soft. 

A little halide, turmeric, may be added, but no salt. Finally, the clarified butter should be liberally mixed in so that the final preparation is semi-liquid. No asana or physical work should be performed before commencing and no food or beverages should be taken. If the bowels are not evacuated prior to the practice it helps stimulate the peristaltic movement, and it should be practised only in the early morning.

For complete intestinal wash: Drink two glasses of warm water mixed with salt as quickly as possible. Perform the following five asanas dynamically, eight times each in the correct sequence. 

a. Tadasana
b. Triyaka Tadasana
c. Katichakrasana
d. Tiryaka Bhujangasana
e. Udarakarshanasana

This is one complete round. Do not reset between rounds. Drink two more glasses of warm water with salt and again repeat the five asanas eight times each. Repeat this process a third time. After the third round, go to the toilet and see if there is any movement in the bowels, if they have not yet been emptied. Do not strain. After a few minutes or so, come out, regardless of whether there has been any movement or not; it is not essential at this point.

Drink two more glasses and repeat the five asanas eight times. Again go to the toilet, but do not force yourself to produce a bowel movement. Continue drinking the water, performing the asanas and going to the toilet when the pressure builds up. Spend as little time in the toilet as possible, a minute or so is enough. The aim is to build up the internal cleansing pressure.

At first solid stool with be evacuated followed by a mixture of stool and water. As the practice progresses, more water and finally, almost clear water will be evacuated. Sixteen glasses are generally required before perfectly clean water is evacuated, but it varies from person to person. The speed at which one completes the practice should not be compared with that of others.

This stage of the practice should be performed in a relaxed way at one's own pace. Total rest is essential. Lie down in Shavasana for 45 minutes but do not sleep as a headache or cold may result. It is important to keep warm during this resting period. Try to maintain, silence.

During this time the whole digestive system is given a chance to revitalise itself. Passing urine at this time is perfectly normal. 

Special Meal: 

Exactly 45 minutes after completing Shankha Prakshalana the specially prepared food, Khicheri must be taken. The three components of Khicheri are helpful in the restoration of correct digestive function. The clarified butter is necessary to coat the intestinal walls until the body produces a new lining. The rice provides a simple, easily digestible packing material in the form of carbohydrate, and creates mucus, which also protects the inner lining of the alimentary canal. The lentils supplement. Khicheri should also be prepared for the late afternoon or evening meal, about six hours after the first special meal. 

Contra-indications

People suffering from any medical condition should seek guidance from a qualified yoga teacher this practice should also be avoided during pregnancy. 

Shyam