Most yoga teachers have heard of at least one or two of the Shat Kriyas — maybe you've practiced jala neti, maybe you've taught kapalabhati. But the full picture of what these six techniques actually are, where they come from, and why the Hatha Yoga Pradipika places them before pranayama is a conversation the modern yoga world rarely has with any rigor. In this episode, Aru goes deep into the Shatkarma — the six cleansing practices of Hatha Yoga — drawing directly from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Gheranda Samhita to unpack what these techniques were actually built to do, and why "yogic detox" is one of the least accurate ways to describe them.

This is not a beginner overview. This is the episode for teachers, trainees, and serious practitioners who want to understand the architecture of Hatha Yoga — why the body had to be cleared before the breath could be regulated, what the texts say about each technique specifically, and where modern science has quietly caught up to practices that are at least six hundred years old on paper, and likely much older.

Episode Highlights:

• What Shat Karma actually means — Sanskrit breakdown of the term and each of the six kriyas
• The historical context: Swatmarama's Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th c.) vs. Gheranda Samhita (17th c.) and how they differ in their treatment of Shatkarma
• Why Swatmarama places the six kriyas before pranayama — and what that sequencing tells you about the entire logic of Hatha Yoga
• The difference between "cleansing for wellness" and "removing a specific obstruction so practice can go deeper"
• A full breakdown of all six — Neti, Dhauti, Basti, Trataka, Nauli, and Kapalabhati — with Sanskrit etymology, traditional technique, and purpose
• What modern research actually says (and where it goes quiet)
• Why Trataka is the only kriya that isn't physically invasive — and why that makes it the most misunderstood of the six
• Basti: why it's the most prerequisite-dependent kriya, and why almost no one can do it traditionally
• The two texts don't list the six in the same order — and why that sequencing difference matters more than it looks

Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy

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I sit down with Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath to explore Ayurvedic parenting, child development, and holistic well-being. We discuss prakriti in children, digestion, hydration, breath, mindfulness, emotional health, modern parenting challenges, and practical ways to raise resilient, balanced, and healthy children through the lens of Ayurveda.

Episode Highlights:

• Inspiration behind the book
• Ayurvedic pediatrics explained
• Understanding the whole child
• Prakriti and child development
• Optimizing health from conception
• Healing versus fixing
• Digestion and nutrition
• Water and hydration
• Breath and self-regulation
• Mindfulness and awareness
• Ego and child development
• Sattva, rajas, and tamas
• Perception and mental health
• Parenting in the digital age
• Modern parenting approaches
• Building trust with children
• Supporting individuality
• Common childhood health concerns
• Self-care for parents
• Conscious parenting practices

Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy

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Find all the resources mentioned in this episode

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Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube

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I sit down with Becky Aten to explore neurodiversity, ADHD, and how yoga teachers can create more inclusive and supportive spaces. We discuss the origins of neurodiversity, common misconceptions about ADHD, late-life diagnosis, inclusive teaching practices, and practical ways to better support neurodivergent students in yoga classes.

Episode Highlights:

• Origins of neurodiversity
• Neurodiversity vs. neurodivergence
• Neurodivergent conditions and traits
• Innate and acquired neurodivergence
• Late-life diagnosis experiences
• Understanding ADHD beyond stereotypes
• ADHD in adults
• Gender differences in ADHD
• Hyperfocus and executive function
• Yoga and neurodiversity
• Benefits of yoga practice
• Recognizing student challenges
• Neurodivergence and hypermobility
• Inclusive yoga language
• Avoiding shame in teaching
• Creating neuro-inclusive classes
• Clear expectations and accessibility
• Resources for further learning

Prana & Presence: An Immersive Week of Yoga, Stillness & Soulful Study in Southern Italy

Join our mailing list

Find all the resources mentioned in this episode

Connect with us on Instagram

Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube

Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube

Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!