Master the ancient science of purification — and guide others towards lasting vitality, clarity, and inner transformation.
At the heart of classical Hatha Yoga lies a powerful and often overlooked system: Shatkarma — the six ancient cleansing techniques that prepare the body and mind for deeper yogic practice. Rooted in the revered Hatha Yoga Pradipika, these purification methods were considered an essential prerequisite before any serious pranayama or meditation practice could begin.
Modern wellness science is now confirming what ancient masters always knew — that physical and energetic purity creates the conditions for profound inner stillness. This certification bridges that timeless wisdom with contemporary understanding, equipping you to teach these transformative techniques with both authenticity and scientific confidence.
Rooted in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and classical lineage traditions passed down for centuries.
Validated by contemporary physiology, anatomy, and evidence-based wellness research.
Purification is the essential first step — clearing the path for energy, meditation, and transformation.
Shatkarma encompasses six distinct categories of cleansing practice, each targeting a specific system of the body. Together, they form a comprehensive internal hygiene protocol that removes toxins, balances the doshas, and awakens the body's natural intelligence. The first three pillars focus on the respiratory and digestive systems — arguably the most foundational channels of health.
Jala Neti and Sutra Neti purify the nasal passages, sinuses, and upper respiratory tract. Practitioners report relief from allergies, improved breathing clarity, and sharper sensory perception. A cornerstone of daily yogic hygiene.
Advanced techniques to cleanse the entire digestive tract from mouth to stomach. Dhauti practices remove accumulated impurities, support digestive fire (agni), and create a profound sense of lightness and internal renewal.
Inspired by traditional yogic enema practices, Basti nourishes and tones the large intestine. It supports the removal of accumulated waste, balances apana vayu, and is deeply restorative for the nervous and immune systems.
The remaining three Shatkarma techniques move into more refined and dynamic territory — engaging the core musculature, the visual system, and the subtle energy body. These practices demand focused attention and consistent repetition, making them ideal subjects for teacher-level mastery.
One of the most powerful of all kriya practices, Nauli involves the isolation and rotation of the rectus abdominis muscles. It massages the internal organs, stimulates the digestive fire, fortifies the core, and is considered a direct gateway to mastering uddiyana bandha.
The practice of fixed, unblinking gaze — traditionally performed on a candle flame — strengthens the eye muscles, builds extraordinary willpower, and cultivates dharana (one-pointed concentration). Trataka is widely used as a bridge between physical yoga and deep meditation.
A rhythmic, forceful exhalation technique that purifies the frontal lobes, expels stale air from the lungs, and generates tremendous pranic energy. Kapalabhati is renowned for its capacity to produce mental alertness, emotional uplift, and radiant physical vitality.
A qualified Shatkarma Kriya teacher must go beyond technique — you need a thorough, confident understanding of how these practices interact with the living body. This curriculum dives deep into the physiological mechanisms behind each kriya, explaining precisely why they work and how to apply them safely and effectively.
Every technique is taught alongside its contraindications, precautions, and best-practice safety protocols. You will learn how to screen students, identify risk factors, and modify or substitute practices for those with health conditions — ensuring a responsible, professional teaching approach at all times.
Shatkarma does not stand alone — it forms the vital preparatory ground for the higher limbs of Hatha Yoga. Once the body's channels are purified, pranayama becomes exponentially more effective, and the experience of prana (life force energy) becomes tangible and controllable. This module explores the profound relationship between internal cleansing and energetic mastery.
Learn how each Shatkarma technique creates optimal conditions for advanced breathwork. Discover sequencing strategies that combine Neti, Kapalabhati, and Trataka with Nadi Shodhana, Bhramari, and other classical pranayamas for maximum energetic effect.
Explore the powerful relationship between Shatkarma and the three major energy locks — Mula, Uddiyana, and Jalandhara Bandha. Understand how purification practices amplify the ability to contain, direct, and refine pranic energy throughout the subtle body.
A purified nervous system is the foundation of genuine meditative depth. Learn how regular Kriya practice progressively settles the autonomic nervous system, reduces mental restlessness, and creates the inner stillness required for sustained, transformative meditation.
Possessing deep personal experience of Shatkarma is only the beginning. Transforming that experience into effective, inspiring, and safe group or private instruction requires a distinct and refined pedagogical skill set. This module develops you into a truly professional Kriya educator.
Design progressive class structures for both beginners and advanced students. Learn how to layer the six kriyas into meaningful sessions that build awareness, confidence, and skill over time — whether in workshops, retreats, or ongoing weekly classes.
Master precise, clear verbal instruction and sensitive hands-on guidance. Develop the language to describe subtle internal sensations and correct common errors in technique with confidence, compassion, and anatomical accuracy.
Kriya teaching demands an exceptionally high standard of cleanliness. Learn the protocols for maintaining a hygienic teaching environment, caring for shared equipment, and creating a safe, supportive atmosphere in which students feel fully at ease.
A true Kriya teacher is more than a technician — they are a guardian of a living tradition. This module grounds you in the philosophical heritage of Shatkarma, explores the ethical responsibilities that come with teaching intimate cleansing practices, and builds the professional confidence you need to step into your role with authority and humility.
Explore the historical lineage of Shatkarma from classical Hatha Yoga texts to contemporary yoga schools. Understand the ethical dimensions of teaching vulnerable students practices that involve the internal body — including consent, appropriate boundaries, and safeguarding student wellbeing.
Build genuine teaching confidence through structured practicum sessions observed and assessed by expert mentors. Receive constructive, personalised feedback on your instruction, cueing, and student management — the cornerstone of professional teacher development.
Learn how to contextualise ancient practices for contemporary wellness audiences — bridging traditional lineage integrity with the expectations of modern students and professional yoga settings.
The IYT International Shatkarma Kriya Teacher Certification is designed to be both rigorous in its standards and genuinely accessible in its structure. Whether you are an experienced yoga teacher looking to specialise, or a dedicated practitioner ready to share this transformative science, there is a pathway designed for you.
Open to yoga practitioners and teachers at all levels. Prerequisites are kept accessible to ensure that genuine enthusiasm and commitment are the primary qualifications — full details available on enrolment.
Choose from fully online, hybrid, or immersive residential training formats to suit your schedule and learning style. Study at your own pace or join a live cohort — the programme adapts to your life.
Qualify to teach in yoga studios, wellness and spa centres, integrative health clinics, corporate wellbeing programmes, and private therapeutic settings worldwide — with IYO's internationally recognised certification behind you.
The world needs more qualified, compassionate, and authentically trained Kriya teachers. As interest in holistic health, detoxification, and mindful living continues to grow globally, the ability to offer safe, evidence-informed Shatkarma instruction has never been more valuable — or more impactful.
"Purification is not a practice — it is a state of being. And the teacher who embodies this truth carries the power to transform lives."
By enrolling in this certification, you are not simply acquiring a qualification. You are joining a global community of dedicated practitioners committed to the highest standards of yoga education. You are deepening your own practice beyond what you thought possible. And you are preparing yourself to empower others to find lasting vitality, radiant health, and genuine inner freedom.
IYT International Shatkarma Kriya Teacher Certification