sandeyeThe Theory: The Kriyas 4: Dhauti (Agni Sara & Vastra Dhauti)
May 2nd 2008 20:46
Not quite as revolting as the previous post, Agni Sara is performed to assist with digestion and can also assist with digestive problems caused by stress. Stand with your feet wide apart and the knees bent. You place your palms onto your thighs, fingers pointing inward, applying pressure to assist with stability. You should look towards your stomach. As you exhale, pull in your abdomen, pulling it upwards at the same time. As you hold your breath, use your stomach and thrust it in and out a few times - until you feel the need to breathe in again. Stop the stomach-pumping and take a full regular breath before continuation. It is recommended you perform between 8 and 20 pumping-sessions, and to finish by taking two regular breaths before standing up straight.
With Vastra Dhauti we are back to the grotty and disgusting techniques, which would be more likely to appeal to those of us who have recognized the benefits of Yoga and are ready to step deeper into a completer practice. If you are just interested in exercising for a slight physical improvement, or a feeling of general fitness, Vastra Dhauti may be best left for a few months until you become more serious or convinced about the benefits of Yoga beyond the mat.
The three sources of information I have so far read ALL suggest being supervised by a qualified Yoga Teacher when starting this practice. It is performed by advanced practitioners or experts on a weekly basis, early in the morning before eating - and even before your coffee or tea if you so imbibe. I doubt a qualified Yoga teacher would be available at 1-3am when I get up, therefore when I first attempt this I shall not take the advice of my information sources, but rely upon my body-knowledge and spiritual sensitivity.
To perform Vastra Dhauti, soak a long strip of gauze in warm salted water. The length should eventually be fifteen feet, but you can start practicing on a shorter piece and work your way up to this. The object of the Kriya is to slowly swallow this gauze strip, whilst sipping some water to ease its progression down your throat and into your stomach. When you first attempt Vastra Dhauti, you may feel the urge to vomit, so managing to swallow just a few inches is a good first attempt. Don't force yourself beyond the first couple of inches if you feel uncomfortable - get used to 'starting' until you feel able to take it a step - or swallow - further. When you have swallowed the gauze as far as you planned, or are able, slowly remove it. This may also cause a nausea or gagging, so take it slowly. After you have fully removed the gauze strip - along with all the mucoid and waste nasties now clinging to it - two sources recommend slowly drinking a glass of milk. The other suggests a glass of water.
With Vastra Dhauti we are back to the grotty and disgusting techniques, which would be more likely to appeal to those of us who have recognized the benefits of Yoga and are ready to step deeper into a completer practice. If you are just interested in exercising for a slight physical improvement, or a feeling of general fitness, Vastra Dhauti may be best left for a few months until you become more serious or convinced about the benefits of Yoga beyond the mat.
The three sources of information I have so far read ALL suggest being supervised by a qualified Yoga Teacher when starting this practice. It is performed by advanced practitioners or experts on a weekly basis, early in the morning before eating - and even before your coffee or tea if you so imbibe. I doubt a qualified Yoga teacher would be available at 1-3am when I get up, therefore when I first attempt this I shall not take the advice of my information sources, but rely upon my body-knowledge and spiritual sensitivity.
To perform Vastra Dhauti, soak a long strip of gauze in warm salted water. The length should eventually be fifteen feet, but you can start practicing on a shorter piece and work your way up to this. The object of the Kriya is to slowly swallow this gauze strip, whilst sipping some water to ease its progression down your throat and into your stomach. When you first attempt Vastra Dhauti, you may feel the urge to vomit, so managing to swallow just a few inches is a good first attempt. Don't force yourself beyond the first couple of inches if you feel uncomfortable - get used to 'starting' until you feel able to take it a step - or swallow - further. When you have swallowed the gauze as far as you planned, or are able, slowly remove it. This may also cause a nausea or gagging, so take it slowly. After you have fully removed the gauze strip - along with all the mucoid and waste nasties now clinging to it - two sources recommend slowly drinking a glass of milk. The other suggests a glass of water.
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