Internal lubricating, nourishing, and eliminating therapies: The Basti Marma [energy junction] has all the connecting channels in the body, from head to toe. It is the biggest marma channel in the body, which is why the bastis are the most powerful treatments in PK. In particular, there are nerves in the colon that connect directly to the brain so that within five minutes of receiving a basti, the brain is transmitting instructions to all the systems and cells in the body to relax, release impurities, etc.

 "Balanced kapha has all the qualities of ojas [strength and youthfulness]. The aim of panchakarma is to create balanced kapha. Imbalance of kapha brings ama [blockages] which is the opposite. But it is the memory of excess vata and dryness that has to be permanently removed to balance the kapha and reverse aging. This is why the matra bastis are so important, because they lubricate the tissues and re-enliven the unctuous quality of balanced kapha and ojas in the physiology. " Dr. J.R. Raju

The basti cycle begins towards the end of PK, after all the other treatments have softened and loosened the impurities, flushing them out via the bloodstream, etc. and preparing them to be expelled from the body for good. There are three different kinds of bastis that are prepared and given according to the needs of the body as seen in the pulse. The sequence, therefore, varies from person to person except that the cycle always begins and ends with matra, the lubricating basti. Both matra and milk bastis are designed to be absorbed by the body, to lubricate and fortify; Shodhana basti is an elimiinative basti, designed to expel the toxins. Even the bastis themselves are adjusted according to the person's needs (different ingredients for different dosha balance and situation, etc.) 

"The perfect timing is essential in PK. This is very important for the bastis and nasya because they are making the corrections for all the different marmas (energy/intelligence junctions in the body). Most of the clinics in India don’t do the big bastis, because they know it’s too complicated. Must always do matra basti before big basti. If not, it is not ayurveda—must be very very careful doing panchakarma elsewhere. In Maharishi Ayurveda they are doing these things (matra before big basti), and special matra basti."