There are two versions of this technique - Poorna (full) Shankaprakshalana and Laghoo (short) Shankaprakshalana. Here I am describing only the short cleanse which should take less than 30 minutes. The long course takes 2 - 4 hours. All the benefits listed are obtainable from the full cleanse, usually in just one session, whereas those same benefits are accumulated over a period of some months by repeated practise of the short version.

·   This practice expels the build up of wastes and impurities from the digestive tract and thereby helps to purify the blood system. This will result in a noticeable improvement in general health as well as being useful for treatment of many digestive ailments. There is no medicine nor method (even a prolonged fast, many short fasts, or series of enemas) which can clean out the small and large intestines as thoroughly as this practice.
·    Removes partially undigested food and the build up of blocked matter in the gastro-intestinal tract and re-establishes natural and regular bowel function.
·    Recommended for those with chronic constipation, gas, acidity, flatulence, indigestion, diabetes, hyperacidity, dysentery, poor complexion, boils, pimples, bad breath, pre-menstrual cramps, irregular menstruation, asthma, prevention and removal of gall stones.
·    It is beneficial for the kidneys and urinary systems, preventing infection and kidney stones.
·    Healthy people can also do the practice, making them feel lighter, more cheerful, and exhilarated with life and can help to make their minds sharper.
·    This is also a very important practice for those people who intend to perform intensive yogic techniques for higher awareness. By purifying the body, this helps greatly to make the mind and body more receptive to higher meditative vibrations.
·    For any woman, Laghoo Shankaprakshalana is highly beneficial as an internal lower body workout that stimulates healthy blood flow and energy to the reproductive organs as well as the intestines. I prescribe this technique for many of the common reproductive disorders, particularly menstrual disorders. As constipation often goes hand in hand with menstrual disorders, Laghoo Shankaprakshalana can greatly help both these conditions simultaneously.

·    Shankaprakshalana has many psychological benefits. This can help a woman learn how to mentally let go of lower body blockages, and to let things gently move down and out of her. The energy movement of menstruation and childbirth is a downward one and therefore this technique is of great advantage to women at many stages of their life.
·    It helps create a healthy digestive and reproductive environment for a growing baby.

Mental Aversion
to the Cleansing Techniques
   Now you have read a bit about what is involved in the yoga cleansing techniques you much be thinking either "yuk, yuk, yuk," or you might be raring to go! The biggest problem for most people with any of these practices is just mentally coming to terms with the concept of using warm salty water to clean out the bodily orifices. So many people, we find, have no idea just how the inside of their body works. There is enormous fear at doing something which is not well known nor medically promoted. Whilst these initial fears are quite understandable, it is the duty of a yoga teacher to educate students about their bodies and promote greater faith in these traditional methods. We have frequently seen that once the initial psychological resis-tances are overcome, these techniques all work effortlessly and effectively.
   On my yoga retreats, most students come with a keenness to get cleaner and healthier and with a heart full of positivity, but the mental blockages which sometimes arise on their first attempts at yoga cleansing can temporarily stall their performance. However, this nervousness is soon overcome and they all report afterwards - "it was nowhere near as bad as I had thought it would be!" Following the cleansing, they are generally ecstatic at the feelings of achievement and healthiness. So don't worry, I am not suggesting you try to learn any of these cleansing techniques at home unsupervised. They should all be learned step by step under the guidance of an experienced teacher so as to help you overcome any fears or aversions you might have.
   When first introducing these practices, students often make the following comments:

(i) "It seems so unnatural to put salty