The article is devoted to the function and inner characteristics of spiritual practices. Profound changes of anthropological thought from essencial discourse to verbal discourse of unlocking are carried out through the idea of practices. In the unlocking discourse person constitution is relational. The author gives the definition of «practices of the Self», and describes inner characteristics of ancient anthropological practices which can be applied to spiritual practices in S. Horuzhy`s interpretation. In connection with the concept of holisticity of practices the article examines the conception of corporality and corporal practices. The author defines M. Foucault`s specific description of ancient practices and their structure.