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What is Vastra Dhauti Kriya in Yoga?

Vastra Dhauti

Overview

Vastra Dhauti Kriya is purifying the upper digestive tract with the help of a piece of cloth. According to Gheranda Samhita, Dhauti is four-fold namely Antar Dhauti (internal purification), Danta Dhauti (purification of teeth), Hrid Dhauti (purification of heart region or upper digestive tract), and Mulasodhana (purification of the rectum). Again, Hrid Dhauti is three-fold, namely purification utilizing a stalk (Dhanda Dhauti), vomiting (Vamana Dhauti), and a piece of cloth (Vastra Dhauti).

This article describes the last one, the purification using a piece of cloth.

Vastra Dhauti Meaning

Vastra in Sanskrit means a piece of cloth. Dhauti means purification of the digestive tract. Hence, it means cloth cleansing. It is the purification of the alimentary tract or gastrointestinal tract with the help of a piece of cloth. Moreover, it is one of the most widely used practices today. If you have learned the steps from a Yoga Guru, you can simply purchase online a piece of cloth specially made for this purpose and start practicing.

Vastra Dhauti Procedure

Vastra Dhauti Precautions

You should not start this practice by simply knowing the steps here or elsewhere online. First, you have to learn this from an expert.

Moreover, you should practice only on an empty stomach preferably in the morning.

You should not speak while practicing.

Persons having health conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiac issues, stroke, and throat infection should avoid this practice. Also, you should not practice it during general illnesses. If you have undergone surgery, you should avoid it at least for three months.

If you take necessary precautions like these, Vastra Dhauti is not dangerous.

Vastra Dhauti Cloth

The cloth must be clean and sterilized. Also, it should be moist while practicing. The size of the cloth should be at least 2 centimeters wide and 3 meters long. Moreover, it should not have frayed edges and loose threads. It is better to purchase the one that is specially made for this purpose. You can reuse the cloth many times provided you have sterilized every time and kept it clean.

Vastra Dhauti Steps

Vastra Dhauti Benefits

Bottom Line

Vastra Dhauti is an advanced yogic cleansing practice that involves the practice of Nauli or Agnisar Kriya. Hence, it is not for beginners. Still, it offers many health benefits. Moreover, some yoga texts claim that the full benefits of pranayama can be achieved only through mastering all yogic cleansing practices. Hence, a practitioner who wants to excel in Classic Yoga should learn this from an expert and practice it.

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