Dhauti, a powerful shuddhikriya (cleansing technique) in yoga, focuses on detoxifying the stomach. Maintaining a healthy stomach is crucial for overall well-being, making practices like Dhauti incredibly beneficial.
There are three primary types of Dhauti:
* **Vamana-dhauti (Easiest):** Drink approximately six glasses of water. Induce vomiting by gently inserting your index and middle fingers into your mouth, reaching the uvula. This process expels water and stomach impurities.
* **Danda-dhauti (Intermediate):** Similar to Vamana-dhauti, but instead of fingers, a flexible rubber tube (about three feet long and slightly wider than a pencil) is used. Slowly guide the tube down your throat until one end reaches your stomach, with the other end remaining outside your mouth. Lean forward, allowing the siphoning action to draw water from your stomach. Once the water is expelled, carefully remove the tube. Disinfect the tube in boiling water before each use. If you find tube insertion difficult due to throat sensitivity, Vamana-dhauti may be a better option. Danda-dhauti minimizes stomach wall spasms, ensuring a smoother water expulsion.
* **Vastra-dhauti (Advanced):** Considered the most challenging yet effective Dhauti, this involves using a long strip of fine muslin cloth (about three inches wide and twenty feet long). Thoroughly wash and disinfect the cloth by boiling it. Roll the cloth tightly, hold one end between your fingers, and slowly swallow it. Stop when about six inches of the cloth remain outside your mouth. Perform Nauli (abdominal churning) to agitate the cloth within your stomach. Gently pull the cloth out, removing impurities as it scrubs the stomach lining.
Dhauti offers significant therapeutic benefits and can be incorporated into yogic treatments for conditions like acidity and asthma.