1. Go to the toilet, empty the bladder and possibly the intestines as much as possible. After this, pour cool water on the lower chakras and urinary organs. This helps to stimulate a reflex that releases any residiual urine still in the bladder. This simple practice can help to prevent the formation of kidney stones and increase the health of the entire reproductive system. Indeed, in France, the bidet which is used for a similar practice is referred to as a "bain vital" - or "vitality bath" in recognition of this reinvigorating effect on our entire system.
2. With a wet hand, moisten the navel area and the area opposite the navel on the back. The navel cakra is the area that regulates the heat of the entire body. When cooled down first, it prepares the rest of the body for further cooling.
3. Pour cold water on your arms from the elbows down and wash your hands thoroughly. Repeat a similar process with your legs: from the knees to feet.
4. Put cold water in your mouth, it will cool the oral cavity from the inside, and while holding it in your mouth, fill your palms with water and splash it in your open eyes at least 12 times. This splashing of water on your eyes activates the diver's reflex. Then spit out the water from the mouth and splash water on your neck.
5. Practice "nasapana". This technique can take getting used to, and is optional for beginners, but it is a powerful practice for directly improving the functioning of the brain. Put water in your cupped palms and then, bring your head close to the palms, drawing in water from the palm through one of the nostrils while tilting your head backwards. This allows the water to pass through the nasal passage and into your throat. Spit it out and then repeat on the other side.
Why is it important to use cool water?
Cool water has the effect of reinvigorating and refreshing our system because it causes the blood flow to withdraw from the surface of the body and concentrate in the vital organs. On the other hand, warm or hot water draws blood to the surface of the body and away from the vital organs, and encourages the body to actual quickly cool down. This is why the skin reddens. This causes a relaxing effect on the body, but also creates a more dull, sleepy state of mind.
While some people may mistakenly think that using cool water will make them catch a cold, in reality the effect is the reverse. As warm water causes the body to trigger mechanisms to rapidly cool down and return to balance, that tends to leave us more exposed to catching cold. Cool water on the other hand improves immunity and vigour by stimulating circulation to the vital organs. This technique has a good effect on digestion, improves the working of internal organs, and enhances the functioning of the brain.
The colder the water during this practice, the better. If you are very sensitive, start out with at least luke-warm water.
