Shatkarma

The shatkarmas (Sanskrit: षटकर्म ṣaṭkarma, literally six actions), also known as shatkriyas,^[2] are a set of Hatha yoga purifications of the body, to prepare for the main work of yoga towards moksha (liberation). These practices, outlined by Svatmarama in the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā as kriya, are Netī, Dhautī, Naulī, Basti, Kapālabhātī, and Trāṭaka.^[2]^[3]^[4] The Haṭha Ratnavali mentions two additional purifications, Cakri and Gajakarani, criticising the Hatha Yoga Pradipika for only describing the other six.^[1]

^ ^a ^b Mallinson, James; Singleton, Mark (2017). Roots of Yoga. Penguin Books. pp. xxviii–xxxii, 46, 49–50, 71–79. ISBN 978-0-241-25304-5. OCLC 928480104.
^ ^a ^b Shatkarmas - Cleansing Techniques, in Yoga Magazine, a publication of Bihar School of Yoga
^ Muktibodhananda, Swami. (1985). Hatha Yoga Pradipika. New Delhi India: Thomson Press India, for The Yoga Publications Trust.
^ These techniques and their practice are outlined in considerable detail by Swami Rama in his two volume set:
Rama, Swami. (1988). Path of Fire and Light, Volume I: Advanced Practices of Yoga; Volume II: A Practical Companion to Volume I. Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Himalayan Institute Press.