KRIYAS: The Power of Purification in Yoga
- Lavinia Nannini
- Mar 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 23
As winter fades and the world begins to bloom, many of us feel the pull to refresh, reset, and lighten both body and mind. Spring is a natural time for renewal—just as nature sheds the old to make space for new growth, we too can benefit from a deep inner cleanse. In the yogic tradition, purification is a key practice, not just for physical health but also for mental clarity and energetic balance. This is where the ancient wisdom of detoxification through yoga comes into play.
“Yoga is meant for the purification of body and its exploration as well as for the refinement of the mind.”
The Tradition of Detoxification in Yoga
For thousands of years, yogis have understood that purification is essential for deepening the practice. Before even stepping onto the mat for asana, traditional texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika emphasize the importance of cleansing the body. These techniques, known as Kriyas or Shatkarmas, are designed to remove blockages, enhance prana (life force energy), and create the internal environment needed for higher states of awareness.
The idea is simple: A clean body leads to a clear mind, and a clear mind leads to greater awareness and harmony. In the lineage of yoga, purification is seen as both a physical and spiritual process, helping practitioners to let go of accumulated toxins, negative patterns, and stagnant energy that may be holding them back. And what better time than spring—the season of renewal—to engage in these powerful practices?
What is Shatkarma?
Shatkarma, also known as Shatkriya or simply Kriyas, translates to six actions in Sanskrit. These are six purification techniques that yogis have used for centuries to detoxify the body and prepare for deeper practices like pranayama and meditation. While some of these techniques may seem intense, they are incredibly effective in balancing the body’s natural systems.
The Six 'Shatkarma' Techniques
Neti (Nasal Cleansing) – A practice using a neti pot with warm saline water to clear the nasal passages. This helps to improve breathing, clear congestion, and balance the left and right energy channels (ida and pingala).
Dhauti (Digestive Cleansing) – Involves various techniques to cleanse the digestive tract, including drinking warm saltwater to flush the stomach. It aids digestion, removes toxins, and strengthens gut health. Tongue scraping is also a dhauti technique and has many benefits for your overall health.
By removing bacteria and food particles that cause bad breath, tongue scraping may help freshen your breath. Regular tongue scraping may also help reduce the buildup of bacteria and fungi that can lead to oral infections like gingivitis. And a clean tongue might improve your sense of taste, allowing you to better appreciate the flavors of foods and drinks. Oil pulling (gandusha or kavala) is another ancient Ayurvedic practice where oil (typically sesame or coconut) is swished in the mouth for 2-10 minutes. It helps detoxify the body and promote oral and overall health. It draws out toxins (ama), reducing inflammation and supporting immune function. For best results, practice first tongue scraping and then oil pulling first thing in the morning before eating or drinking. Also make sure to spit the oil out (never swallow and don't spit in the sink as oil will clog your pipes), rinse, and brush as usual!
Nauli (Abdominal Massage) – A powerful technique of rolling and isolating the abdominal muscles to stimulate digestion, detoxify internal organs, and strengthen the core.
Basti (Colon Cleansing) – Traditionally, this involved using water or herbal infusions to cleanse the colon, much like an enema. A healthy colon is key to overall vitality.
Trataka (Cleansing the Eyes and Mind) – This practice involves gazing at a single point, such as a candle flame, to strengthen the eyes and improve focus. It also cleanses the mind, bringing mental clarity and heightened awareness.
Kapalabhati (Skull-Shining Breath) – Is a rapid, forceful breathing technique that expels toxins from the lungs, stimulates circulation, and energizes the mind. We practice this in class! Often mistaken for just another pranayama, it is actually a cleansing practice that creates inner heat to burn away impurities.
Bringing Purification into Your Practice
While some of these techniques may require guidance from an experienced teacher, you can easily incorporate purification into your daily routine. Start with simple practices like neti for nasal cleansing, kapalabhati for breath detoxification, and twists in your asana practice to stimulate digestion and lymphatic flow.
As we welcome the renewal of spring, embracing these cleansing practices can help us feel lighter, clearer, and more vibrant—both on and off the mat. Yoga is not just about flexibility or strength; it’s about transformation, and purification is the first step toward that journey.
So, take a deep breath, set an intention for this season, and invite purification into your practice. Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you.
Are you ready to embrace renewal? Join me on March 22nd, 11.00am-12.30pm for a special Spring Detox & Renewal Yoga Workshop, where we’ll explore these ancient cleansing techniques together and step into spring feeling refreshed and re-energized! Missed the workshop? You can now rent the recorded session via my website under: practice. Enjoy!
"Slowing down is the precursor to Yoga practice because this simple act allows us to consider our thoughts, feelings and actions more carefully in the light of our desire to live peacefully.”
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