Kunjal
(Vamana) Kriya - Stomach Washing
Yogi Shakti Das
This practice is used in the cleansing of the oesophagus
and stomach.
Technique:
Start by quickly drinking approximately one litre of isotonic
salt water, performing nauli kriya (optional),
then forcefully evacuating the stomach utilizing a vomiting
reflex (apply uddiyana bandha after having taken
a big inhalation followed by a complete exhalation and
external kumbhaka). If the vomiting reflex is not triggered
naturally through this process, use a finger to tickle
the upper part of the throat, as far back as is necessary
to induce vomiting. To be effective, the vomiting wave
action should be very forceful moving from the bottom of
the stomach upward so that all the contents including any
old solid matter at the bottom of the stomach are pushed
up and out. Don't worry if not all the liquid is evacuated,
it will pass later naturally through the stool and urine.
Kunjal kriya is best done at dawn or first thing
in the morning, after evacuating the
bladder and bowels. With a little practice the entire litre
will come out in a forceful stream, one or two waves, taking
with it any old mucous or debris. However, most of us will
require a series of three or more wavelike contractions
to eliminate.
Trouble Shooting:
Vomiting is a natural and intelligent reflex toward bad
food, water, or foreign objects. It is a life supporting
instinct that, for most of us, has been repressed through
modern society's anti-nature bias (e.g. telling off a child
for vomiting or going to the toilet in the wrong manner
etc.). In order to enhance the vital life supporting intelligence
of the body we must learn how to let go of our conditioning.
The vomiting reflex is a wavelike reverse peristalsis and
is thus not meant to be performed wilfully, mechanically,
or consciously. Simply try to trigger it and surrender
to the body's inner wisdom allowing for this cleanse to
happen naturally.
Use pure warm water and non-iodized pure salt if available.
The salt is not essential as this wash can be done with
plain warm water. Try to finish the entire process from
the beginning of drinking the salt water to the final series
of evacuation in less than three minutes. Let nature or
instinct take care of the evacuation as it can not be done
wilfully except that we can set the stage to allow for
it to happen. Let the wave start from the bottom (pit)
of the belly. Just let it out. If there is undigested food
left over from last night's dinner, we gain information
as to our digestion and food compatibilities This may be
acidic and taste and smell "badly" but remember
we are getting it out. Try to get the bottom of the stomach
emptied, but do not worry if not all the salt water comes
out of the mouth. It will come out the other end and serve
as a wash there if need be.
After good eating practices and good digestion have been
established, there will be nothing but water and slight
mucous evacuated in the morning. It is good to do jala
neti after kunjal kriya as this will wash
away any stomach acids or fluids from the nose and upper
throat.
Kunjal kriya is best done outside in nature,
standing on grass in a yoga setting (it's good for plants
and crops and helps everyone to overcome any social stigma).
At home, it is helpful that the toilet bowl is clean and
pleasant or we can use a big wide pan. The point is that
we should not worry and hold back. Take some deep breaths
before you start in order to keep the mind from worrying
that you will need to stop because of lack of breath. The uddiyana
bandha should be done with the pelvis retroverted
(posterior tilt), the abdomen curved in toward the spine
(concave), and the wave should travel first in and then
move upward while holding out the breath (complete exhale).
Keep the attitude cheerful and light hearted. It's often
done in groups so that we can laugh at what in most social
settings is considered unacceptable, gross, sick, or "bad".
Beginners are often advised to do it daily, but after
it is mastered and there are no diseases of the lungs, udana ,
or prana , then once a week or less, according
to your own constitution and unique circumstances. Do not
eat anything for at least half an hour after this kriya
and then make food light, easily digestible and devoid
of spices or possible irritants. If stomach digestion is
weakened by the practice, discontinue it and see a yoga
therapist.
Benefits:
Kunjal kriya cleanses and stimulates the stomach,
oesophagus, lungs, chest, heart, throat, nose, eyes, ears,
and sinus. It balances the vayu (winds) in the
body especially the upward moving prana-vayu .
It is one of the specific remedies in Ayurvedic medicine
for stomach, throat, asthma, and lung affliction. Also,
this practice is particularly useful in helping us overcome
old conditioning about the natural abilities of our body
(that it is dirty etc.) helping us to establish a deeper
connection and understanding of ourselves.
Another similar kriya is Vyagra Kriya (tiger
kriya) which is varies mainly in that it is done immediately
or within two hours after a specially prepared meal. It
is especially helpful in removing excess mucous of the
lungs and throat as well as normalizing pitta (bile
secretions). It will not be detailed here as it can be
too easily misunderstood as bulimic activity by outsiders
who do not understand its purpose and mechanism.
Contra-indications & Cautions:
Not for hiatal hernia, high blood pressure, raised intercranial
pressure, heart disease, stroke, peptic ulcers or diabetics
with eye problems. Do not use cold water.
