Kunjal Kriya (Gajakarni) is a powerful yogic stomach-cleansing technique that activates digestive fire, clears the upper GI tract, and energises the Solar Plexus Chakra.
Cleanse the vessel before filling it — only then can it hold the purest water.
Kunjal Kriya (Gajakarni) — The Elephant Action / Yogic Cleansing of the Digestive Tract — is a intermediate-level yoga posture that is a powerful yogic shatkarma (purification practice) in which warm saline water is consumed in volume and then voluntarily expelled, cleansing the stomach and oesophagus of accumulated mucus, bile, and toxins.
One of the six classical shatkarmas described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Kunjal Kriya — also known as Vamana Dhauti or Gajakarni — draws inspiration from the elephant's natural ability to expel water from its trunk. This practice is most often performed in the morning on an empty stomach, traditionally before other asana and pranayama practices, to clear the upper digestive tract and activate the solar plexus fire (agni) of the Manipura Chakra.
How to Practise Kunjal Kriya (Gajakarni): Step-by-Step Guide
Begin in a comfortable squat or standing position with 1.5–2 litres of warm saline water prepared. Follow these steps with mindful breath:
- Prepare 1.5–2 litres of warm water with one teaspoon of sea salt per litre.
- Drink the entire quantity of warm saline water quickly — ideally within 5–10 minutes.
- Stand with the feet shoulder-width apart. Lean forward slightly from the hips.
- Insert the middle two fingers of the right hand to the back of the throat.
- Apply gentle pressure to the soft palate or back of the tongue to trigger the gag reflex.
- Expel the water fully. Repeat until the stomach is empty and the expelled water runs clear.
- Rest in Shavasana for 5–10 minutes after the practice.
- Eat a light meal of warm, easily digestible food (e.g., khichdi) 30–45 minutes afterward.
Physical Benefits of Kunjal Kriya (Gajakarni)
- Cleanses the stomach, oesophagus, and the upper digestive tract of excess mucus and bile.
- Stimulates the digestive fire (jatharagni), improving appetite and nutrient absorption.
- Provides relief from acid reflux, gastritis, and hyperacidity when practised correctly.
- Removes allergens and mucus from the respiratory-digestive interface.
- Classical yoga texts cite it as a method of rejuvenating the body and clarifying the mind.
Mental & Emotional Benefits
- The purification of the stomach has a direct effect on mental clarity — heavy or stagnant digestion creates mental dullness (tamas).
- Activates Manipura (Solar Plexus) Chakra, stoking willpower, vitality, and inner fire.
- After the practice, many practitioners report a sensation of lightness, clarity, and energetic brightness.
- Kunjal Kriya is described in yoga texts as a practice of radical cleansing — not just physical but psychological.
Energetic Benefits: 🟡 Manipura (Solar Plexus) Chakra
Kunjal Kriya (Gajakarni) is closely associated with the Manipura (Solar Plexus) Chakra, the energy centre governing core strength, personal power, and inner fire. Regular practice activates and balances this chakra, bringing its qualities more fully into daily life. To deepen your understanding of this chakra and its influence on your wellbeing, explore our beautiful Manipura Poster — a visual anchor for meditation and a reminder of the energy you are cultivating through your practice.
For the complete chakra map and a guide to balancing all seven energy centres, see our Yoga Asanas for the 7 Chakras guide and our Complete 7-Chakra Interactive Chart.
Modifications & Variations
- Beginners: start with 1 litre and gradually increase over several sessions.
- For those uncomfortable with self-induced expulsion: learn under the guidance of a qualified yoga therapist first.
- Do not practise during periods of illness, fever, or digestive inflammation.
- If fingers feel uncomfortable, gentle abdominal pressure can sometimes trigger expulsion without them.
Contraindications & Safety Guidelines
- High blood pressure, heart disease, or hernia: avoid or practise only under medical supervision.
- Active ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in acute phase: do not practise.
- Epilepsy or recent abdominal surgery: contraindicated.
- Not recommended during pregnancy.
- Always use correctly salted water — plain water can cause sodium imbalance.
Science & Research
Studies from yoga therapy research institutes show that regular Kunjal Kriya reduces gastric acidity and improves mucosal health markers in participants with chronic hyperacidity. Its mechanism of stimulating the vagal nerve reflex during expulsion is also proposed to have mild anti-anxiety effects through parasympathetic activation.
Related Poses & Practice Resources
Deepen your practice with these related resources: Shatkarma Practices | Pranayama & Pranic Healing | Mulabandha (Root Lock) | Uddiyana Bandha
Support your yoga practice with our Mega Bundle Chakra Harmony Collection — all 7 chakra posters and guides in one beautiful set — and our Seven Chakra Affirmation Pack to reinforce the energetic shifts your practice creates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kunjal Kriya safe to practise at home?
It is generally safe for healthy adults when the correct technique and salinity of water are used. However, learning it initially under the guidance of a qualified yoga teacher is strongly recommended.
How often should Kunjal Kriya be practised?
Traditionally, once a week — or once a fortnight — is sufficient for maintenance. Some practitioners use it as needed during periods of dietary indulgence.
Why must salt be added to the water?
Salt prevents the body from absorbing the large quantity of water into the bloodstream, which could cause dangerous hyponatraemia (sodium dilution). The saline balance keeps the water in the stomach for expulsion.
Like the elephant drawing pure water from the earth, we expel what no longer serves and return to brightness.
Written by
Editorial Team
