Kriyas or Shatkarmas - Yogic Cleansing Techniques
Kriyas are purification practices forming an important aspect of the yogic lifestyle. Sometimes also known as Shatkarmas, which translates as ‘six actions’, these practices offer various ways of holistically cleansing – that is, cleansing not just the body, but the mind and spirit/soul as well.
The purpose of kriya is to eliminate any blockages which prevent the proper absorption of pranic energy into the human organism. An interesting quote from Swami Shankarananda Giri from the Kriya Yoga Ashram in India states that, “By practicing Kriya Yoga, we create an inner fire called tapa agni. In the same way that the outer fire, drabya agni, burns whatever we put into it, the inner fire, tapa agni, allows the practitioner to burn his karmas, the results of his past actions, his thoughts as well as all his mental or psychological problems.”
My own interpretation would be that the practice of kriyas can enable us achieve a harmonious vessel through which pranic energy can freely flow.
In yoga and ayurveda, people are believed to contain three ‘doshas’ or elemental forces within their bodies. These are vata, pitta and kapha. If one of these elements becomes imbalanced it corresponds with an excessive or restricted production of either wind, bile or phlegm. These physical imbalances result in less prana being absorbed into the system
So, kriyas are necessary for those people with an imbalance in their doshas as they regulate the production of these substances so restoring the human organism to its full pranic potential.
The six kriyas as described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika are:
Of these six practices, many are best performed in private and would not be suitable for use during a class. One kriya that you might experience in a yoga class is tratak. Tratak means to look or gaze and this can be done either externally, which is known as ‘bahiranga’, i.e. looking with eyes open at something or internally, which is known as antaranga, i.e. visualising with the eyes closed. The purpose of kriya is to eliminate any blockages which prevent the proper absorption of pranic energy into the human organism. An interesting quote from Swami Shankarananda Giri from the Kriya Yoga Ashram in India states that, “By practicing Kriya Yoga, we create an inner fire called tapa agni. In the same way that the outer fire, drabya agni, burns whatever we put into it, the inner fire, tapa agni, allows the practitioner to burn his karmas, the results of his past actions, his thoughts as well as all his mental or psychological problems.”
My own interpretation would be that the practice of kriyas can enable us achieve a harmonious vessel through which pranic energy can freely flow.
In yoga and ayurveda, people are believed to contain three ‘doshas’ or elemental forces within their bodies. These are vata, pitta and kapha. If one of these elements becomes imbalanced it corresponds with an excessive or restricted production of either wind, bile or phlegm. These physical imbalances result in less prana being absorbed into the system
So, kriyas are necessary for those people with an imbalance in their doshas as they regulate the production of these substances so restoring the human organism to its full pranic potential.
The six kriyas as described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika are:
- Dhauti – washing of the Gastro-Intestinal tract
- Vasti – cleansing of the colon
- Neti – nasal cleansing using either water or cloth
- Tratak – cleansing of the eyes through concentrated internal or external gazing
- Nuali – intestinal cleansing through muscular churning
- Kapalabhati – breathing technique to create ‘skull shining’
Bahiranga involves the participant maintaining constant eye contact with an object such as a candle flame, mandala, symbol or small point (sukshma lakshyam). A candle flame is most popular as gazing upon the light enables an easy progression into internal gazing or antarnaga as the image remains even after closing the eyes.
A candle is also preferable in some instances if participants may be sensitive to the use of symbols or imagery from a particular culture or religion. As the eyes are said to be an organ of light, gazing upon light is believed to be profoundly healing. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika quotes, “trataka eradicates all eye diseases, fatigue and sloth and closes the doorway creating these problems. It should be carefully kept secret like a golden casket.” Other benefits include the awakening of the ajna chakra which is associated with clairvoyance and intuition.
Introducing trataka within a yoga class takes some careful planning and preparation. Some venues restrict the use of candles due to smoke alarms although this depends upon permission, the size of the venue and location of detectors.
Each person must find a comfortable seated position, preferably padmasana and could be given either a long candle with foil wrapped into a cup shape around the bottom, to catch any dripping wax or they could use a tealight. This must be placed at eye level, so chairs and blocks may be required to achieve the correct height.
Participants should be prepared for the fact that as they stare, their eyes may begin to water. This is the object of the exercise and aids the cleansing of the eyes. Tissues could be given out beforehand for use after the practice. They begin the exercise by centring themselves before beginning to gently gaze just above the wick towards the middle of the flame. This can be continued for up to ten minutes. To prolong the practice, lowering the eyelids slightly can rejuvenate the muscles. The practice is best entered into with the knowledge that you can close your eyes if necessary as forcing them to stay open may be counter-productive.
Candle gazing is contra-indicated for sufferers of epilepsy as the flickering of the flame can stimulate a seizure, although use of a small dot, word or image on paper can offer a safe alternative. People with M.S. or diabetes should also avoid candle gazing as the retina can be more easily damaged.
"The eye with which I see God
is the same eye with which God sees me."
is the same eye with which God sees me."
Meister Eckhart - thirteenth-century Christian mystic
Bibliography
BWY Class handouts
Muktibodhananda S., (1993), Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Bihar School of Yoga
Written by Justine Aldersey-Williams October 2007
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