By Javier Muriel, founder of Pranayam®
Imagine a house that is meticulously maintained on the outside, with an impeccable façade, whilst the interior is never cleaned. Over time, the space becomes uninhabitable, no matter how good it looks from the street.
Something similar can happen with the body. We wash it, dress it and look after it on the outside, but we rarely pay attention to the internal processes that sustain our breathing.
Hatha Yoga addressed this issue through a set of practices known as ṣaṭ karmas or kriyas: cleansing techniques that prepare the body for pranayama.
What are they for and who are they for?
The Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā assigns them a very specific role: they are a means of preparation, not an end in themselves. It also adds a nuance that is often overlooked (II.21): the six kriyas should be practised first and foremost when there is an excess of fat or mucus; those who do not have this do not need them.
They are not, therefore, a standard hygiene routine for everyone, but rather tools that are applied depending on the individual and the circumstances in which they are used.
The six kriyas
The text lists six (II.22):
- Dhauti (II.24): cleansing of the upper digestive tract. In the traditional method, a moistened strip of cloth is swallowed.
- Basti (II.26): cleansing of the large intestine with water.
- Neti (II.29–30): cleaning the nasal passages with a string or with salt water. I dedicate a original article.
- Trāṭaka (II.31): staring at a small point until your eyes water. This trains concentration and sustained attention. The current practice often includes an additional internal phase not described in the text: closing your eyes and holding onto the afterimage of the flame until it fades.
- Nauli (II.33): a circular movement of the abdominal muscles, from side to side.
- Kapālabhāti (II.35): rapid breathing with active exhalations, like a bellows. According to the text, it alleviates disorders caused by an excess of mucus.
Guidelines and supervision
Each kriya has its own guidelines, contraindications and appropriate time for practice. Dhauti and Basti, in particular, should not be practised without the in-person guidance of an experienced teacher. Neti, Trāṭaka and Kapālabhāti, on the other hand, can be learnt during a training course and practised independently afterwards.
Cleaning is not an end in itself. Its purpose is to create the conditions in which breathing can be practised more clearly.
Integrating the kriyas
When understood and practised judiciously, kriyas prepare the body, sharpen perception and facilitate a more direct connection with the breath. Pranayama ceases to be a mechanical technique and is supported by a receptive body and a clearer mind.
To continue
- What is pranayama?
- Pranayam® HEY Training, Block 1: Neti, Trāṭaka and Kapālabhāti as essential kriyas.
Sources
- Svātmārāma, Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, Chapter II (II.21–35). Trans. Pancham Sinh, 1914.
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