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Kryas (cleansing practices)

Classic yoga texts, such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, describe six kryas. They are:

  • Neti (cleansing the nose)
  • Trataka (candle gazing, cleanses the eyes)
  • Nauli (abdominal churning, strengthens the digestive fire)
  • Kapalabati (sharp abdominal breathing, cleanses the lungs)
  • Vasti (cleansing of the large intestine)
  • Dauti (cleansing of the stomach)

Only the first four are described on this site.
Nauli and Kabalabati are powerful practices which are best learned directly from a competent teacher.
Vasti and Dauti are highly specialised practices that are rarely taught.