Shatkarma

The six purification practices of Hatha Yoga for cleansing body and mind.

Shatkarma (Shat = six, Karma = actions) are the six purification techniques described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita. They are: 1) Neti (nasal cleansing), 2) Dhauti (digestive tract cleansing), 3) Nauli (abdominal churning), 4) Basti (colon cleansing), 5) Kapalabhati (skull shining breath), and 6) Trataka (candle gazing). These practices remove excess Doshas and Ama from the body, preparing the practitioner for advanced Pranayama and meditation.