Shatkarama
In Sanskrit, Shat means "six" while Karma means "action." This practice includes six purification techniques or cleansing actions described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, Yogini Tantra and the Yogatattva Upanishad. This practice is also preformed in Kriya Yoga where it is referred to as Shatkriya.
These practices are also used in Ayurveda which is a sister science to Yoga and is a form of medicine practiced in India, where they are used to bring balance to the three Doshas meaning "body types." This practice makes the body clean, strong and free of diseases by removing toxins, improves concentration, as well as improves the flow of Prana meaning "life force energy" into the organs.
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika states that the body is like a temple and therefore this practice should be preformed to cleanse the mind and body of impurities, allowing the practitioner to receive the maximum benefits provided by the practices of Yoga.
This practice at first may appear to be difficult but with practice and the proper guidance of a knowable teacher, the practice is easy to preform. Techniques of this practice should be learned from an experienced Yoga teacher. Some of the techniques have more than one variation.
The six purification techniques in Hatha Yoga are designed to make the body strong and healthy. This practice is considered preparatory steps towards higher practices of Pranayama and Meditation.
The aim of this practice is to bring a balance to the two main Nadis meaning "energetic pathways," Ida and Pingla as well as to cleanse the them. Theses practices cleanses and stimulates the digestive, cardiovascular as well as the nervous systems.
This practice can be preformed to help balance and keep in balance the three Doshas meaning "body types." In the practices of Ayurveda which is a form of medicine practiced in India and a sister science to Hatha Yoga, an imbalance in one or more Doshas will lead to illness.
These practices are preformed before any other practices to remove toxins as well as aid in the progression on the spiritual path.
For any practitioner on a spiritual path, keeping Prana freely flowing is the most important part of the journey. When toxins are sufficiently removed from the body them Prana is allow to flow as it should giving vitality to the mind and body. The removal of toxins happens on a gross level meaning the physical body as well as the subtle levels which involves the Annamaya Kosha meaning "the material" or "physical body," creating a Rajas meaning "dynamic" and "active" Annamaya Kosha.
This practice cleans the nasal passages making breathing easier which is why this practice should be preformed before a Pranayama practice.
This practice is similar to an enema with added benefits to remove toxins as well as to clean the intestines.
This practice stimulates the peristalsis of the intestines, tones the liver, and aids digestion and elimination by churning the belly side to side.
This practice removes any undigested pieces of food, extra mucus and bile as well as allowing the stomach to reset the digestive juices in the stomach.
This practice uses a candle at the level of the Third Eye Chakra to purify the Chakra, cleanses the eyes and the cerebral cortex, balances the nervous system, relieves anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
This practice removes stagnant carbon dioxide accumulated in the lower parts of the lungs and is said to be a cure for many diseases.