Like tongue scraping - the purification technique I described yesterday in my blog post, Neti (Jala Neti) is part of the Ancient system of Kriya Yoga developed by yogis and sages with the intention of keeping their body healthy and their mind free of distractions on their path to enlightenment. While you may not be looking to reach the Nirvana just yet, you will greatly benefit from including Neti in your daily or weekly routine to experience its many physical and mental benefits. Simply put, Neti is 'nasal cleansing', a method used to keep the nostrils free from obstructions, thereby preventing both the development or worsening of colds and sinusitis but also allowing for the successful application of breathing techniques which are extremely useful not only to harmonizing both the physical and mental aspects of our personalities but also to achieving optimal health through the oxygenation of the entire body. As you may already know, it is essential that we breathe through our nose rather than our mouth. The reason for this is simple; our mouth was designed for eating and communicating while our nose is perfect for the regulation and transfer of air in and out of our lungs. Our nose warms or cool - depending on the need, and purifies the air to make it safe before it reaches the lungs. Following is a detailed presentation on the benefits of 'nasal cleansing' and some easy tips on how to do it effectively.
Benefits
Removes all the dirt and bacteria-filled mucus from the nostrils.
Helps to drain the sinus cavities. This in turn, will help to reprogram the body’s natural mechanisms against nasal infections such as hay fever, allergies, sinusitis and other upper respiratory complaints like sore throats and coughs, post nasal drip, inflammation of tonsils and adenoids.
Is beneficial for illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis as it reduces the tendency to breathe through the mouth by freeing the nostrils of mucus.
Has a cooling and soothing effect on the brain by drawing out excessive heat, and is therefore beneficial for headaches, migraine, epilepsy, temper tantrums, hysteria, depression and general mental tension.
Is of great benefit for problems associated with the eyes, as it helps flush the tear ducts, encouraging clearer vision and giving a sparkle to the eyes.
Can be beneficial for certain types of ear disorders such as middle ear infections, glue ear, and tinnitus.
Improves sensitivity of the olfactory nerves, helping to restore lost sense of smell, and thereby benefits the relationship between taste and the digestive processes.
Has subtle effects on the pineal and pituitary glands which control the hormonal system, which in turn has an harmonizing effect on emotional behaviors.
Affects the psychic center known as 'Ajna Chakra' - the third eye, which helps in awakening higher states of meditation.
Helps to stimulate the powers of visualization and concentration and gives a feeling of lightness and clarity to the mind.
Is excellent for those trying to give up smoking. Since it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing, Neti re-sensitizes the nose to the actual pollution of ingesting smoke, thereby de-programming the brain of the physical and psychological addiction.
Techniques
While the simplest method for nasal cleansing does not require any equipment but simply to snort water from cupped hands. It is not the most effective. If the water used is impure, it may also be detrimental to your health. Further, using water without any added salt can cause water to be absorbed through the vessels located in the nose which may add to your discomfort if you are already suffering from nasal congestion.
The application of saline solution or saline nasal spray is a simple alternative to remedy this, but unfortunately it is also relatively inefficient for washing away debris although it may suffice for simple rehydration of mucous and tissues.
A simple yet extremely effective technique that palliate the shortcomings of the aforementioned is to pour salt water solution into one nostril and let it run out through the other while the mouth is kept open to breathe, using gravity as an aid. This is the old yogic technique known as Jala Neti. For this technique, you will need a container - called a Neti pot, in order to administer the saline solution. Neti pots are traditionally made of metal, glass or ceramic, and rely on gravity alone, along with head positioning and repeated practice in order to rinse the outer sinus cavities. Some users are able to use neti pots without problems, while the sideways positioning of the head can induce vertigo in others (though this is rare). Here is what you will do:
Mix a teaspoon of natural sea salt with tepid water in a clean neti pot (3/4 of the way full)
Stand in the shower, bath tub, or simply above a sink for the duration of the practice
Tilt your head to the right so that it is horizontal (parallel to the floor)
Take a deep breath in and introduce the nozzle of the neti pot into your left nostril.
Leave your mouth wide open - so that you may breathe throughout the process (advanced practitioners may keep their mouth closed and hold their breath), and let the water run from the left nostril into and out of the right nostril. (Some water may come out of your mouth). Continue until the pot is empty. This may take 10 to 20 seconds.
Now, begin to close your left nostril and blow quickly and forcibly (not too hard though) through your right nostril until all water and impurities have been removed from your nose. You may need to help the complete removal of all water with a little dynamic sideway movement of your head. Repeat the same process on the other side, closing the right nostril and blowing out of the left.
Once both nostrils feel open and dry, begin the same process on the right side. Tilting your head sideways to the left, introduce the nozzle of the net pot inside your right nostril and let the water run in through the right nostril and out through the left in exactly the same manner as you did earlier. Repeat the waste removal and drying process on the other side.
If you feel like your nose is still stuffed with mucus and other impurities, you can repeat the process once or twice more on each side until you feel a sense of ease and openness in both nostrils.
At the end of the practice, you must dry the nostrils once more and ensure that all impurities have been expelled from the nostrils. In order to do that, bring your trunk to the horizontal position and closing one nostril at a time, breathe in and out quickly and successively through the open nostril 10 times in a row. Emphasize your exhalations so that you may expel all moisture from your nostrils. Repeat on each side.
With your trunk still titled forward horizontally, finish the practice with both nostrils open, breathing in and out quickly and vigorously through your nose until it feels perfectly dry.
Remember to rinse your net pot after and before each use.
Enjoy free breathing and the myriad of health benefits that come with it!
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