Yogic Kriyas are a very important part of Hatha Yoga as they help to eliminate the accumulated toxins from the body. The body is like a machine, which has to be continuously cleaned and maintained in a perfect condition. The Yogic Kriyas are six in number and often referred to as Shat Kriyas. They are as follows:-<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Neti
\n\u25a1 Kapalbhati
\n\u25a1 Dhauti
\n\u25a1 Nauli
\n\u25a1 Basti
\n\u25a1 Trataka<\/p>\n
Kriyas useful for treatment of allergy are Kapalbhati, Neti, and Vaman Dhauti (Kunjal Kriya).<\/p>\n
How Yogic Kriyas help in Allergy<\/p>\n
\u25a1 They help in cleansing the body of toxins like the allergens, mucus, gas, acid, sweat, urine and stool.
\n\u25a1 They improve the functioning of the excretory organs.
\n\u25a1 They help keep the eyes, nose, sinuses, respiratory and digestive systems clean and tone up their functioning.
\n\u25a1 These Kriyas help to build up resistance to diseases and sharpen the mind.
\n\u25a1 They also help to prepare the body and condition it for proper practice of Yogasanas, Yoga Nidra, pranayama and meditation.
\n\u25a1 If done regularly these techniques are capable of curing different types of allergies.<\/p>\n
Kapalbhati (Frontal Brain Cleansing)<\/p>\n
Kapalbhati is basically a technique of pranayama though older yogic texts have classified it as a part of Shatkarmas. It is of three types: Vatkrama Kapalbhati, Vyutkrama Kapalbhati and Sheetkrama Kapalbhati.<\/p>\n
Vatkrama Kapalbhati<\/p>\n
This is the most beneficial technique for treatment of allergy.<\/p>\n
Technique<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Sit in any comfortable asana with the head and spine straight and the hands resting on the knees.
\n\u25a1 Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
\n\u25a1 Inhale deeply through both nostrils expanding the abdomen and exhale with a forceful contraction of the abdominal muscles, making a hissing noise.
\n\u25a1 The next inhalation takes place by passively allowing the abdominal muscles to expand spontaneously without any effort.
\n\u25a1 After completing 10 rapid breaths in succession, inhale and exhale deeply completing one round.
\n\u25a1 Complete 3-5 such rounds. Precautions
\n\u25a1 The rapid breathing in this technique should be from the abdomen and not from the chest.
\n\u25a1 It should be practised after asanas or Neti and preferably on an empty stomach or 3-4 hours after meals.
\n\u25a1 If pain or giddiness is experienced, it should be stopped for a while and continued.
\n\u25a1 Kapalbhati should not be practised by those suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, vertigo, epilepsy, stroke, hernia or peptic ulcer.<\/p>\n
Vaman Dhauti or Kunjal Kriya<\/p>\n
Technique<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Take about 1 litre of lukewarm water flavoured with aniseed and cardamom, to which some salt is added.
\n\u25a1 Drink this water as quickly as possible till a vomiting sensation is felt.
\n\u25a1 Stand up immediately, bend forward and insert first 3 fingers of the right hand into the mouth and tickle the uvula till vomiting is induced.
\n\u25a1 Continue this process till all the water comes out.
\n\u25a1 This can be repeated once a week.<\/p>\n
Precautions<\/p>\n
\u25a1 This procedure should be done in the early morning on an empty stomach.
\n\u25a1 Food should not be taken for at least half an hour after practice.
\n\u25a1 Fingernails should be trimmed well and hands washed with soap and water before performing the procedure.
\n\u25a1 Persons suffering from stomach ulcers, eye diseases, heart problems, stroke, hernia should avoid this kriya.<\/p>\n
Neti<\/p>\n
Neti is a process that helps to clean the nasal passages. This is of three types :-<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Sutraneti or Rubberneti
\n\u25a1 Jalaneti
\n\u25a1 Ghrithaneti or Ghee drops Sutraneti or Rubberneti<\/p>\n
Technique<\/p>\n
\u25a1 A cotton string stiffened with wax or a rubber catheter of numbers 3,4 or 5 is used.
\n\u25a1 It is slowly inserted through one nostril with the right hand and gradually pulled out through the mouth with the left hand.
\n\u25a1 Then both the ends are moved forwards and backwards in the nostril about 15-20 times.
\n\u25a1 Remove the string through the mouth and repeat the same Fig. Sutraneti procedure for the other nostril.
\n\u25a1 This procedure is done once daily initially and after one month reduced to twice or thrice a week.<\/p>\n
Precautions<\/p>\n
\u25a1 This procedure is to be strictly done under the guidance of an expert.
\n\u25a1 Persons with high blood pressure, bleeding from nose, deviated nasal septum and severe cold should not practise this kriya.
\n\u25a1 Fingernails should be properly cut and hands washed with soap and water.
\n\u25a1 Spectacles if any should be removed before practising Neti.
\n\u25a1 In the beginning of Neti, when the thread or catheter is introduced, there may be an itching sensation in the nostrils with sneezing and watering from the eyes. These symptoms will subside with regular practice.<\/p>\n
Jalaneti<\/p>\n
This is another technique of nasal cleansing using salt water instead of thread or catheter.<\/p>\n
Technique<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Boil about a litre of water in a vessel and allow it to cool.
\n\u25a1 Add a tea-spoonful of salt to it and stir well.
\n\u25a1 Transfer this water to a Jalaneti pot. Fig. Jalaneti
\n\u25a1 Stand erect, stoop forward and insert the spout gently into one of the nostrils.
\n\u25a1 Slowly tilt the head to the other side so that water runs into one nostril and comes out of the other.
\n\u25a1 Keep the mouth open and breathe normally through the mouth.
\n\u25a1 Allow water to flow freely through the other nostril continuously like a stream.
\n\u25a1 Repeat the procedure for the other nostril.
\n\u25a1 This procedure should be done once daily or more often if one is suffering from cold and stuffy nose.<\/p>\n
Precautions<\/p>\n
\u25a1 The concentration of salt and the temperature of water should be maintained throughout the practice.
\n\u25a1 The nozzle of Jalaneti pot should not be inserted too deeply into the nostril since it may injure the sensitive lining of the nose.
\n\u25a1 Do not inhale through the nose or else the salt water will enter the mouth.
\n\u25a1 In the beginning of the procedure there may be itching or irritation in the nose, sneezing or watering of the eyes. This will improve with practice.<\/p>\n
The nose should be dried properly after the procedure since water left off may cause cold and sinusitis. This can be done by moving the head in different directions and exhaling forcibly.<\/p>\n
Ghrithaneti<\/p>\n
Technique<\/p>\n
Pure desi ghee prepared from cow’s milk is applied in the form of nasal drops. This ghee is to be warmed until it liquefies and then with the help of a dropper 1-2 drops of it is applied into each nostril. After applying ghee, cover the face with a towel and rub the area around the nose. Ghrithaneti should be done before doing Sutraneti and Jalaneti.<\/p>\n
This procedure should not be done after meals. Do not blow the nose too hard since the water may be pushed into the ears.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"