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Kaya Kriya - the whole body cleanse
- Classical
Ashtanga Yoga - the 8 stages of yoga
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Lesson Preview
The
Body Cleanse - Kaya Kriya
Kaya is a term in Sanskrit used to refer to the human body. Kaya kriya,
then, is a whole body cleanse practice that is useful for releasing
mental and physical tension, providing relief from physical traumas and
body pain and balancing the ‘energy flows’ within
the body.
This is a three-part relaxation technique in which the lower, middle
and upper regions of the body are relaxed in succession with
movement/breath combinations. It is performed beginning in shava asana.
Technique
First Stage
- In
shava asana, slide your legs about 1½ feet apart. Begin
with adham pranayama (a lower lobe breath), rolling the legs inward on
the inhalation (i.e., internal hip rotation), drawing the toes together
and toward the floor.
- On
the exhalation, roll the legs/feet outward as far as
possible.

Note:
Keep the legs completely straight during these movements.
Note:
Both the inhalation and exhalation phases should be
performed
slowly, to a 6-count
- Repeat
this action 6 to 9 times.
Second Stage
- Slide
your arms slightly away from your body.
- Perform
the madhyam pranayama (a middle lobe breath) while rolling the
arms outward on the inhalation and inward on the exhalation (again,
both to a 6-count).


Note: Make sure to keep the elbows straight and rotate at
the shoulder
joints, allowing the wrists to roll along the floor.
- Also
repeat this 6 to 9 times.
Third Stage
- While
performing adhyam pranayama (an upper lobe breath), roll the head
to the right side on the inhalation and to the left on the exhalation
(6 to 9 times).

The Full Kaya Kriya Body Cleanse
- Perform
the entire kaya kriya by using the mahat yoga pranayama (the
complete 3-part yogic breath) and performing all three of the previous
movements in succession.
- On
a 6-count in-breath, the feet are first moved inwards (as the low
lungs are filled), then arms outwards (as the middle lungs are filled),
and then head turned to the right (as the upper lungs are filled).
- The
reverse movements are then performed on a 6-count out-breath (legs
outward, arms inward, then head to the left).


- Continue
until you feel completely relaxed and free from tension, with
a desire to simply lie motionless.
- Relax
for some time in this state of stillness.
[continued ...]
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