Shat-Karmas (The Six Purificatory Processes)
Those who are of a flabby and phlegmatic constitution only, should practise at first these six Kriyas to prepare themselves for the practice of Pranayama and their success comes in easily.
Shat-Karmas - Six purificatory exercises of Hatha Yoga, viz., Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Nauli, Trataka and Kapalabhati.
Siddhas - Perfected Yogins.
Siddhi - Perfection; psychic power.
The term "Shat-Chakras" refers only to the chief six Chakras, viz., Muladhara, Svadhishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha and Ajna. Above all these we have Sahasrara Chakra. This is the chief of all the Chakras.
It offers gentle asanas, relaxation, pranayama, meditation, shat kriyas and hand Mudras. The complete breath exercise can be done at your desk, in the car or anywhere else when you start to feel stressed out.
Kundalini Yoga is that Yoga which treats of Kundalini Sakti, the six centres of spiritual energy (Shat Chakras), the arousing of the sleeping Kundalini Sakti and its union with Lord Siva in Sahasrara Chakra, at the crown of the head.
In order to tonify this region and get in touch with its energies please see the practice of aswini mudra in the kriya and shat karma section. The practice of mulabandha is very different however from aswini mudra.
(1) six purificatory practices (shat-karma)
(2) posture (asana)
(3) seal (mudra)
(4)sensory inhibition (pratyahara)
(5) breath control (pranayama)
(6) meditation (dhyana)
(7) ecstasy (samadhi) ...
Kapalbhati is forced expiration and is considered to be one of the six kriyas or shat karmas of Hatha yoga. When yogi Ramananda practised kapalbhati he was connected to modern scientific instruments.
Kapalabhati is an exercise for the purification of skull and lungs. Though this is one of the Shat-Karmas (six purificatory exercises), yet it is a variety of Pranayama exercises.
Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.
DAM - self-control, restraint, control of the mind; second of the "six treasures" (see also "shat sampatti" and "Gyana Yoga")
DAN - giving; gift, donation, offering ...
 See also: Yoga, Mind, Body, Meditation, Karma
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