Who Should Practice Kriyas

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Kriya practices are not for everyone; if prana is stagnated at one place, it might lead to apathy, sluggishness, lethargy, dullness, excess mucous, sore or stiff limbs and body, back pain,, aches and pains, asthma and various other dysfunctions.

At the subtle level, it is pranic stagnation, and at the gross level, it is toxin formation. These toxins inhibit or suppress natural mechanisms and lead to chronic disorders. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the famous treatise on hatha yoga explains the need and purpose of the kriyas as given below:

Medah sleshmadhikah purvam satkramani samacharet |
Anyastu nacarettani doshanam samabhavatah ||

- Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Meaning: One who is having an excess of fat or one who is phlegmatic in nature must practice the six purificatory processes first. When the three doshas are in a state of equilibrium, this practice is not required. As in ayurveda, yogic texts also explain various methods for balancing the tridoshas, and relate the doshas with different diseases. These kriyas can help to overcome obesity and diseases related to phlegm. Twenty types of kapha disorders are mentioned in ayurveda; in fact, all skin diseases are the result of kapha dosha disturbance. The six kriyas steady the pranic order in the body by balancing vayus in different parts of the body, and by opening the energy channels.

Malakulasu nadishu maruto naiva madhyagah |
Katham syadunmanibhavah karyasiddhim katham bhaveth ||

- Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Meaning: If the nadis are full of impurities, maruta does not travel along the middle path. Then, how can one attain the state of Unmani? How can one succeed in ones aim?

This verse tells us about the spiritual importance of cleansing the energy channels. Thus, the objective of practicing kriyas is not only physical cleansing, but the cleansing of emotional and mental impurities that we cannot see from outside. An example of this is nasal blockage caused by a cold that cannot be perceived externally.

In traditional yoga, a person who is overweight, or is suffering from obesity and phlegm related disorders must practice kriyas in order to attain perfection both in the physical and mental state.

Ancient seers tried to keep these kriyas a secret. In present day, many yoga teachers are unaware of proper methodology or ignore the kriyas altogether. As a result, only asana, pranayama and meditation are promoted as the main themes of yoga.

However, the essential theme of yoga is cleansing, strengthening and relaxation at deeper levels. Classical texts on hatha yoga state that:

• Shatkarmas facilitate sodhana or purification
• Asanas strengthen the body
• Mudras bring about steadiness
• Pratyahara gives calmness
• Pranayama leads to lightness
• Dyana results in realization of the Self
• Samadhi leads to liberation

Only yoga offers complete and holistic health.

Modern people are prone to stress-related disorders as a consequence of the accumulation of toxins or unwanted metabolic waste in the body due to improper lifestyles, including eating, sleeping and sexual habits. Stress may eventually lead to ailments like obesity or hypertension.

A toxic mind may lead to toxic behavior, which results in disease and a harmful environment.

Therefore, even the modern person must do these special practices to prevent or treat toxins in his body, to preserve a youthful state, and to develop physical and mental harmony.