Basti Karma or Basti Kriya is one of the 6 procedures of Shat Karmas as advocated by Hatha Yoga. Basti Kriya is used to not only cleanse the colon or large intestine it cleans our ear, eyes and urinary system as well.
बस्तिस्तु द्विविधो प्रोक्तः जलवायुप्रभेदतः ।
चक्रिं कृत्वा यथाशक्त्या बस्तिञ्चैव तु कारयेत् ।।43 ।।
The Basti Karma explained in Hatha Yoga is of two types.
These are as follows:
1. JALA BASTI: This is the process of carrying water from the anus to the intestines through the water where we clean our colon. Advanced pranayama practitioners use basti to cool down the abdominal heat produced by their practices.
2. PAVAN OR VAYU BASTI: This is the process of carrying air from the anus to the intestines through the air where we clean our colon as well as lighten our body.
But, from other Yoga commentaries, we found 3 types of basti more. These are as follows:
3. NETRA BASTI: This is a kriya to clean the eye.
4, KARNA BASTI: This is a kriya to clean the ear.
5. DHVAJA BASTI: This is a kriya to clean the urinary system.
Practice note: These basti kriya should be learned under expert guidance.