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Finally, we come to basti. In basti kriyā, practitioners use naulī or uḍḍīyāna bandha. They stand in water up to the waist or sit in a tub and, through the naulī kriyā, draw water in through the anus before expelling it. This completely cleanses the system. This practice has been adopted in the medical system as the enema. However, a standard enema is not as effective as the traditional basti kriyā. To make the cleansing process of basti easier, the technique of śaṅkha prakṣālana was developed. Śaṅkha means conch shell. When you pour water into a conch, it does not flow straight through immediately; it takes time. You pour water in, turn the conch a little, and then the water comes out. Similarly, our intestines—both large and small—are coiled compactly by the heavenly architect. The human intestinal tract is approximately 8.4 meters long. Everything you consume must pass through this 8.4-meter length. According to nature (prakṛti), creatures meant to be vegetarian have long intestines, while meat-eating creatures have short intestines. Therefore, it is not advisable for humans to consume meat. When food remains in the long intestine for an extended period, it generates harmful energy in the body and leads to many diseases. Śaṅkha prakṣālana should be performed under the guidance of an experienced yoga teacher, four times a year. Our seasons change four times. Nature is not only changing around us; it is also changing our bodies. We are not separate from the natural world. The seasons influence the trees and our bodies in precisely the same way. We observe spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Corresponding changes occur in our blood, the renewal of bodily tissues, and all the cells in the body. These changes happen automatically. Thus, performing śaṅkha prakṣālana every three months is highly advisable. The specific postures for this practice are detailed in the "Yoga in Daily Life" book, which also provides dietary guidelines. After śaṅkha prakṣālana, one should abstain from meat and eggs for at least 35 days. In some traditions, it is advised to avoid meat, fish, eggs, and alcohol for 90 days, after which you perform śaṅkha prakṣālana again and then abstain for another 90 days. For one week following the practice, avoid raw food. If possible, also avoid beer and other alcoholic drinks, excessive citrus fruits, and reduce coffee and tea intake. If you do consume tea or coffee, take them with milk, as milk neutralizes their effects. This is the reason Indians traditionally drink tea with milk. Recording location: Czech Republic, Strilky, Summer seminar