Kundjala Kriya: How to Perform this Yogic Cleansing Technique

Kundjala-kriya is a traditional yogic method for cleansing the upper part of the digestive tract. By drinking salted water and inducing a gag reflex, a person helps their body remove accumulated mucus, undigested food residue, and toxins. The primary purpose of the practice is not only physical cleansing, improvement of the digestive system, and elimination of acidity, but also the harmonization of energy flows in the body.

Ancient yoga practices did not allow students to train until they had cleansed their bodies. For this purpose, there was a whole series of special procedures — shatkarmas. Dhauti refers to the first group of shatkarmas, focused on cleansing the digestive tract. Starting with the tongue and teeth, they then washed the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and rectum; practitioners used proven cleansing methods to achieve an excellent healthy state of the body, ready for asanas and pranayamas⁴.

Kundjala-kriya, also known as vamana-dhauti ('cleansing vomiting'), is one such miraculous technique. The term "kundjala" translates fr om Sanskrit as 'elephant'. This name arose fr om observations of an elephant, which uses its trunk to collect water and then pours it out, creating a fountain. "Vamana," in turn, means 'interior' or 'center'.

There are two types of practice — kundjala- and vyaghra-kriya. The first is performed on an empty stomach, the second — after eating, but it is indicated for people who feel discomfort or indigestion at that time⁴.

In modern life, wh ere many face digestive problems, toxemia, and various diseases, including diabetes and bronchial asthma, this effective method of cleansing is particularly in demand.

• A clinical study concluded that therapeutic vomiting, or kundjala-kriya, shows results in the safe and effective treatment of prediabetes, as well as in the control and prevention of the development of diabetes¹.
• Patients with bronchial asthma after a course of vamana-dhauti experienced lightness in the body, a reduction in coughing and wheezing, and improved breathing overall. As a result of the course, the frequency of shortness of breath attacks and the severity of symptoms decreased²³.
• In the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika," it is recommended to perform kundjala-kriya during asthma attacks. In this case, it is important that the stomach is full of water. During the gag reflex, tense airways relax, and a person experiences immediate relief from the attack⁶.

Kundjala-kriya is known for many beneficial properties⁶⁷.

• Cleanses the stomach, enhances the secretion of gastric juice, and thereby improves digestion and absorption of nutrients.
• Normalizes acidity.
• Helps get rid of accumulated toxins, which leads to overall cleansing of the body and improvement of skin condition.
• Increases the body's resistance to diseases.
• Helps in weight control, as vamana-dhauti regulates metabolism and normalizes appetite.
• Positively affects the psyche, relieves tension, feelings of stress, and anxiety. Balances the emotional background.
• Eliminates the obscurations of the manipura and anahata chakras, such as a tendency to overeat, greed, hoarding, unhealthy attachment, jealousy, and shame.

• For various disorders of the digestive system — gastritis, colitis, constipation, excessive gas formation.
• When feeling poisoned or overeating.
• For people with allergic reactions or asthma, as this procedure cleanses the airways and improves breathing³⁷.
• For people suffering from chronic anxiety and overstrain of the nervous system.
• With general fatigue, weakness, and reduced vitality.

Despite the many beneficial properties and safety of the practice, vamana-dhauti is not recommended in the following cases⁵⁶:

• during pregnancy and menstruation;
• stomach diseases (ulcers, gastritis in acute condition);
• problems with the cardiovascular system;
• high blood pressure;
• mental disorders;
• eating disorders of a mental nature (bulimia and others);
• during an acute infectious disease.

Before performing vamana-dhauti independently for the first time, it is necessary to consult with a doctor or an experienced yoga instructor for safety and a successful result.

It is recommended to carry out this procedure on an empty stomach in a warm room, preferably in the morning or at least four hours after eating. The day before, eat a light dinner (without hard-to-digest food). The procedure can be performed daily as a course according to the indications of a yoga therapist or Ayurvedic doctor, or once a month for prevention.

The water should be slightly warmed, preferably to body temperature, to prevent internal hypothermia. In the cold season, you can use water warmer than body temperature⁵⁶⁷.

1. Prepare a solution by mixing a liter of clean warm water with one level teaspoon of salt. Beginners will need three liters of salt water.
2. Place a deep basin or bucket in front of you. If the weather permits, you can perform kundjala-kriya outdoors. It is desirable that the venue is isolated from others in order to focus on the process.
3. Standing straight, quickly drink several glasses of prepared water one after the other until you feel fullness in the stomach. On average, it takes 5–6 glasses.
4. Squat in Kakasana or lean forward over the basin, keeping your torso parallel to the floor. When the stomach is full, the gag reflex may occur automatically. If this does not happen, open your mouth, place the middle and index fingers of your right hand on your tongue, as close to the throat as possible. Gently rub and press on the back of the tongue, slowly moving your fingers forward and backward. There will be an urge to vomit, and water will be removed without any effort. While inducing vomiting, you can gently press on the abdomen with your left hand. It is important not to strain when "tickling" the root of the tongue with your fingers. If necessary, rest, then continue.
5. Drink one or more glasses of salt water again and repeat the procedure, collecting the water that comes out into a basin to assess the volume and cleanliness. It is desirable that the volume of water drunk is equal to the amount excreted. If some of the water does not come out, do not be discouraged; you can lim it yourself to partial removal (for example, 600-800 ml).
6. After completing the procedure, it is recommended to rest and drink a little fresh juice or water to restore balance. Since part of the mucous membrane of the stomach is removed, you need to eat light food half an hour after the kriya, for example, semi-liquid boiled rice with ghee.

Carefully evaluate the composition of the released liquid. During the first attempts, gray flakes that were on the walls of the stomach may come out — this is normal. However, if the water turns pink or blood clots appear, this may indicate damage to the mucous membrane, such as erosions or ulcers. Then you should stop vamana-dhauti, undergo an examination, and consult a doctor, as well as carry out the necessary treatment. After recovery, you can repeat the procedure⁵.

For experienced practitioners, the process of irritating the root of the tongue can be excluded. When mastering the techniques of contracting the abdominal muscles, it is enough to lean forward and use them to act on a full stomach. There will be an urge to vomit, and water will come out in the same way⁵⁷.

1. Prepare the solution and fill the stomach with water, as described above.
2. Stand up, lean forward, and rest your extended arms on your thighs or knees. Open your mouth.
3. On the inhale, whisper and stretch the sound "a" from the depths of your throat, as in ujjayi pranayama, simultaneously tensing the muscles of the upper abdomen under the chest.
4. Then, with tension in the muscles, begin to exhale. If everything is correct, then the water will flow out of the mouth in a continuous stream. The whole body, except for the abdominal muscles, should be relaxed, then the process will go freely.
5. Continue drinking water and removing it until completely cleansed.
6. At the end, rest, and after half an hour eat the same as when performing kundjala in the traditional way.

This method does not provide significant advantages compared to the method described above, it is suitable for those who have mastered control over different groups of abdominal muscles.

With overeating or indigestion, when food remains in the stomach for more than 3-4 hours, vyaghra- or baghi-kriya is recommended⁶⁷. Translated from Sanskrit, "vyaghra" means 'tiger.' People have long noticed how the animal quickly absorbs prey, and after three to four hours, regurgitates the remains. This happens because hard-to-digest parts of food linger in the stomach longer. Easily digestible food quickly moves into the intestines, leaving less nutritious remains. Removing these remains requires significant effort from the digestive system, making the process unprofitable. Thus, regurgitation helps the tiger avoid overloading the intestines.

The practice is performed on a full stomach and is a one-time extreme measure, rather than a regular one.

1. Prepare a salt solution and the venue in the same way as for kundjala.
2. Standing, drink 5–6 glasses of prepared water.
3. Look up for a few seconds, and then, leaning over, induce vomiting.
4. At the end, rest, drink clean water, and after half an hour eat light food.

The contraindications for vyaghra-kriya are the same as for kundjala.

Regular performance of kundjala-kriya allows not only to cleanse the body but also to deepen the understanding of oneself in the context of yogic philosophy. Like any other practice, it requires respect, attentiveness, and understanding of one's physical and emotional limits. Use proven, available methods of cleansing your body and be healthy!