Nasal cleansing’ has its origin in ancient India and has been practiced for centuries by yogis. Popularly known as ‘Jal Neti’, it was done with the help of the Neti-pot. One of the six purification kriyas (or shatkarmas), Neti is a yogic technique which was used to clean sinuses. Over the time, our sinus cavities get clogged with impurities which can cause infections, headaches, and inflammation. Cleansing kriyas prepare the body for higher practices of yoga. It was believed that nasal hygiene is important as lack of it can also lead to a migraine, allergies, and asthma. Neti was usually practiced in the morning after finishing the daily rituals. After all, the key to yoga and meditation is to be able to breathe freely and having practice Jal Neti weekly was highly favoured.
Ayurveda prescribes certain home therapies for maintaining a healthy respiratory system; Neti being one of the six purification systems of Yoga. Cleaning of the nasal passage to get rid of mucus, bacteria and to ease allergies and asthmas of some types is recommended via several different methods.
The Kriya
Jal Neti, also known as nasal irrigation, requires the passage of water from the each of the nostrils, via the nasal passage and out from the other nostril or the mouth. This stream of water dislodges mucous, flushes away bacteria and clears the sinuses. It is thought that Jal Neti also helps in easing headaches and can restore the sense of smell and therefore taste in some cases. It is also believed to help improve eyesight. At a spiritual level, the Neti kriyas are thought to help in advanced meditation because of the way they impact the psychic chakra (Ajna Chakra).
Benefits of Jal Neti
There are numerous benefits of Jal Neti. Naming a few:
How to perform Jal Neti
Use sterilized warm water with isotonic salt added to it is used for Jal Neti –ideally, a proportion of one tea spoon to half a litre of water is good. This will taste less salty than sea water. A kettle-like pot with a spout, usually made from copper, steel or ceramic is used to pour the water for this kriya. Water is placed in the pot and then poured via the spout into the nostril while tilting the head sideways at an angle so that the water enters the nasal passage. The water will pass through and come out of the other nostril. The same process is then repeated via the other nostril. While doing the kriya, remember to breathe calmly through the mouth. After the kriya, blow your nose to remove any remnant water, followed by about 30 Kapalbhati movements.
You can also sniff the water into the nostril while tilting the head back so that the water then comes out of the mouth, which is then to be spat out. Once these types of Jal Neti are mastered, it is also possible to perform the kriya in reverse so that water is taken in via the mouth and snorted out via the nostrils.
Jal Neti – Precautions
Rather than trying it by yourself, it may be best to learn how exactly to perform Jal Neti with an experienced yogi so that you know about the correct angle to tilt the head. Use right ration of salt and water, it should not irritate your nostril and cleaning is done well. Not using sterilized water or using the wrong angle could cause discomfort or even in cases, infection. So it is best to follow the tutelage of someone experienced to get the best benefits of Jala Neti.
Here is the list of all 6 purifications (Shatkarmas) methods (just for information, we will lokk at them in other posts):
Have a go with Jal neti, it is the easiest of all 6 kriyas that will not dissapoint you!
“A HEALTHY OUTSIDE STARTS FROM INSIDE”
Detoxifying body is very important because when you eliminate the foreign particles you will be half healthy. This JAL NETI is an important method to protect our body, so try to include this in your daily routine to have healthy life.
Master in Sports Pedagogic and director at Bulgarian Ashtanga Yoga Academy.
Irina is the author of the first Bulgarian book for Ashtanga Yoga and trusted Yoga Guru for TV series, produced by Bulgarian National Television.
Take a look at out most recent posts related to routines, nutrition, yoga and a lot more
When it comes to cooking you can heat foods in a gentle and healthy way with stable fats OR you can destroy the health properties of foods in a dangerous way with unstable fats. So what's the best oil to cook with?
I remember when I first heard about jal neti yers ago - I was petrified yet powerfully drawn to it. Funny, but it does evoke similar feelings in all my students, too! But it turned out that this siple practice is nothing to be afraid of - try it and you will want to do it every day!
Nadi Shodhana - or alternate nostril breathing is one technique that you can’t over do! It balances the mind and helps improve anxiety. This simple pranayama practice can bring you into a profound sense of ease and awareness and can really be a life-changer for a lot of people.
We all know that coconut oil (and the coconut itself) are full of goodness for our health, skin and hair. Coconut oil is practically a multi-tasker that we should include in our diet and beauty routine.
Here are 10 reasons why you should do so!
There is no greater expression of self-love than lovingly anointing ourselves from head to toe with warm oil—this practice is called Abyanga. The Sanskrit word Sneha can be translated as both “oil” and “love.” It is believed that the effects of Abhyanga are similar to those received when one is saturated with love. Like the experience of being loved, Abhyanga can give a deep feeling of stability and warmth.
Ujjayi has been used for thousands of years to enhance hatha yoga practice. The sound that Ujjayi provides helps us to synchronize breath with movements during yoga, making the entire yoga practice more rhythmic.
Mula bandha, the root lock, is an important yoga practice, but one that is often not taught in regular yoga classes. In Ashtanga and Ashtanga based classes, it is something you learn from the very start.
“You are what you eat” is an old adage but it’s definitely true when it comes to chronic pain.
A lot of chronic pain is the result of chronic inflammation.
Golden milk is a traditional Indian drink that people make with turmeric, which gives it a yellow or gold hue. People also call golden milk “turmeric milk.”
2401 comment(s)