Health

Danda Dhauti :: A yogic purification technique to remove excess bile and mucus from the stomach.

May | 12, 2019 :: Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka Nauli and Kapalbhati these are known as Shatkarma or the six cleansing processes.
Hatha yoga is famous for these six cleansing techniques. Although only six in number, each had a variety of practices.
Dhauti is divided into four parts.
According to Gherenda Samhita they are called
* Anter ( internal ) dhauti,
* Danta ( teeth ) dhauti,
* Hrid ( Cardiac ) dhauti and
* Moola Shodhana ( rectal cleaning )

Hrid Dhauti

Hriddhautim trividhaam kuryaaddandavamanavaasasaa
|| Gherenda Samhita : 35 ||

Meaning
There are three types of Hrid dhauti :: using a stick, regurgitating water and using cloth.

Hrid means heart, dhauti means cleanliness. The heart reason includes the oesophagus, Lungs and stomach. Cleansing the esophagus is easy, even cleaning the lungs is more complex.
These three processes are grouped under the heading of hrid dhauti.
The method of hrid dhauti explained here works by creating a vacuum in the chest by which method kapha and impurities collected inside the lungs and windpipe can be expelled.

Danda dhauti is one of three types of hrida dhauti (heart or thoracic cleansing), the others being: vastradhauti, in which a thin strip of cloth is swallowed, and vaman dhauti, which is the drinking of saline water followed by regurgitation.

Danda Dhauti

Rambhaadandam hariddandam vetradandam tathaiva cha |
Hrinmadhye chaalayitvaa tu punah pratyaaharechchhanaith ||
|| Gherenda Samhita : 36 ||


Kapham pittam tathaa kledam rechayediirdhvavartmanaa |
Dandadhautividhaanena hridrogam naashayed dhruvam ||
|| Gherenda Samhita : 37 ||


The Stem of a soft portion of the banana tree, a thin turmeric stem or a sugarcane stem should be repeatedly inserted ( through the mouth ) and then slowly withdrawn from the middle chest.
Then kapha, pitta and mucus should be evacuated through the mouth.

Danda dhauti is a yogic purification technique designed to remove excess bile from the stomach and excess mucus. Traditionally, danda dhauti was performed by threading a lotus or banana stem down the throat. While that method is still used, the modern way of practicing danda dhauti is to use a catheter.

After the yogi drinks warm saltwater, the catheter is guided through the esophagus into the stomach and then removed. Danda dhauti should only be practiced with the help of an expert.
In addition to removing bile and mucus, danda dhauti is believed to reduce acidity and other digestive issues and to improve bad breath.

Technique

When the head is raised to a particular position, the oesophagus straightens.
As may be seen in circus performances, some people can insert a sword inside the throat.
Similarly a hatha yogi inserts the stem and keep holding
While retaining the breath inside, the rod is inserted as deeply as possible and slowly rotated.
This may induce the desire to vomit, but do not do so.
Instead the stem is removed and the mucus and other waste matter are spat out.
In order to do this Practice, breath retention must first be perfected.
As long as one is breathing in and out, this Practice cannot be done because the throat and windpipe will be moving.
The rod is inserted only while retaining the breath.


Always perform this technique with empty stomach.
Sit in Utkatasana and drink a glass of water, so that the esophagus is wet.
Then you take a banana stem or lotus stem which you have previously properly cleaned. Bend your head backwards and slowly insert the stem into your throat.
Start with only inserting it one centimeter down the throat.
On the next day, you insert it two centimeters, then four and further and further until it one day reaches your stomach.
Slowly bring it back out.
If you use a catheter or lotus stem, these also work as siphon and bring the water and any bile out of your stomach.

Advice of Caution

This Kriya should be learned and exercised only under guidance of an experienced yoga teacher.
Please do not practice this Kriya if you are not experienced or do not have an expert next to you because you can seriously injure your esophagus when you do it wrong or under tension. 
It is not generally advised as regular practice.

Benefits of Danda Dhauti

The inner walls of the food pipe are covered with kapha, pitta and mucus. When this matter accumulates, it can enter Larynx and affect the respiratory system, reducing the breathing capacity and producing a wheezing sound while inhaling.
With the danda dhauti, kapha, pitta and mucus are expelled with rechaka kriya, exhalation.


Precautions
It is not suitable for everyone and should not be practiced by anyone without expert personal guidance.
Yogis who suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers or hernias should not practice danda dhauti.

Jagdish Singh

Author is student to University department of Yoga, Ranchi University, Ranchi.

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