Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) Definition
Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) is roughly translated in Lower Abdominal Cleansing Process.
Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) in Sanskrit is a combination of two words, Vasti or Basti which is referred to as “Lower Abdomen or Belly or Pelvis and Bladder region” whereas Kriya or Karma is a “Technique or Process”.
The true purpose of performing this kriya is to detoxify your lower body system.
At the physical level, it has a lot of benefits which we are going to discuss soon.
But, with respect to the energy level, it has a tremendous effect on activating your Kundalini energy.
Practitioner Level
All the kriyas are at the most advanced level, the reason why we say it is advanced is that it mostly concerned with the energy level rather than at the physical level.
When the changes happen at the energy system, naturally improvements get reflected at the physical level too that is at your physical body.
This is an expert level kriya which can be performed by the one who is already been practicing the yogasanas or pranayamas taught in our previous sections with yoga teacher guidance.
Do check out our pranayamas section to learn pranayamas from scratch to advanced level.
The yoga practitioners who are been practicing for a long time will get a huge benefit out of this Vasti Kriya.
As a beginner, you can start off with yogasanas, pranayama, and mudras for 6-9 months and then move on to Kriyas as it requires a certain degree of receptivity in your system.
You can use the suggested yoga accessories for your convenience.
Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) Effects
Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya)’s main effect is in purifying the lower body parts such as the anal area and especially the large intestine.
15 most wonderful benefits of Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya)
- With the Practice of Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya), Lungs and Respiratory System cleansing will happen.
- Diaphragm and Abdominal Muscles get Strengthened.
- Develops a laser sharp focus.
- Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) Increases the Spiritual Heat.
- Increases oxygen supply to the brain.
- Kaplabhati Purifies the blood.
- Digestion Power gets rapidly increased.
- Calms down the mind.
- Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) helps in developing powerful attention.
- Cleansing of the Subtle Energy Pathways called Nadis.
- Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) not only cleanses the nervous system but also energizes it.
- Each time when you do Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya), more than 75% of your body toxins get cleared.
- Increases the metabolism rate which will help in weight loss.
- Belly will be in perfect shape.
- Rejuvenates the brain cells.
Preliminary Asanas for Vasti Kriya
You can be in any of the comfortable sitting asana or postures such as Padmasana, Siddhasana, Vajrasana.
If you are not comfortable in any of the postures mentioned above, you can simply cross your legs and sit in a Sukhasana.
If you have any problems sitting on the ground, you can sit on a chair and start practicing the Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) or any other kriyas.
Check out the details on how to do all the yogasanas.
How to do Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya)?
There are three types of Vasti Kriya which should be performed under the teacher guidance.
Below we shall discuss the different types of Vasti Kriya.
Jala Basti - Yogic Enema with Water
Jala Basti mainly deals with performing the Vasti Kriya using the water.
Here is a step by step procedure on how to do Jala Vasti Kriya (Jala Basti Kriya).
- Stand in pure water and the level of water should be at your navel.
- Better if you choose the flowing river as it is an ideal place to perform Jala Vasti Kriya.
- Lean forward and place the hands on your knees.
- Expand your anal sphincter muscles and perform Uddhiyana Bandha & Nauli Kriya simultaneously.
- While performing Uddhiyana Bandha and Nauli Kriya ensure you are drawing the water up into the bowels.
- Hold the water in the bowels for some time and then expel it through your anus.
- This completes one cycle or round.
- You can repeat the round for about 3-5 times based on your convenience.
Sthal Vasti Kriya (Sthal Basti Kriya) - Dry Yogic Enema
Sthal Vasti Kriya can be performed using the air alone.
- Be seated comfortably.
- Take few deep and long breaths to calm down your body and mind.
- Outstretch your both the legs in front and perform Paschimottanasana.
- Hold the position for about 2-3 minutes.
- While holding the position do the Ashwini mudra for about 20-25 times.
- Suck the air into the bowels.
- Retain the air for some time and then expel it through the anus.
- This completes one full cycle of Vasti Sthal Kriya.
- You can repeat the procedure for about 3-5 times based on your convenience.
Moola Shodhana - Anal Cleansing
Moola Shodhana can be performed using Turmeric (Haldi) root or your own fingers.
- Be seated comfortably.
- Take few deep and long breaths to calm down your body and mind.
- Insert the soft root of a raw turmeric (Haldi) plant gently into the anus.
- Alternatively, you can use your index or middle finger.
- Rotate the root or the finger around the inner surface of your anal sphincter.
- Rotate 10 times clockwise and then 10 times anti-clockwise.
- Remove the root or the finger.
- Wash the anus with cold water.
- This completes one full cycle of Vasti Sthal Kriya.
- You can repeat the procedure for about 3-5 times based on your convenience.
Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya) Video
Please do watch the below video for better clarity on practicing the yoga kriya.
The video shown here is an advanced level Vasti Kriya which should be performed under the guidance of a guru or yoga teacher. (This is from the Ayurvedic Perspective).
NOTE: Please watch the video if you are above 18 years of age.
Follow-up Yoga Kriyas after Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya)
You can do any of the 5 yoga kriyas before doing Vasti Kriya (Basti Kriya).
Do check out them for more information on list of all Yoga Kriyas.
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