Jal Neti is one of the Shat Karma (Six cleansing practices) of Yoga, which cleans the respiratory tract. The meaning of the word Neti is nasal passage and word Jal means water. In other words cleaning the nasal passage with water is known as Jal
Neti. Primarily, Jal Neti cleans and drains the nasal passage, but there are many beneficial effects related to diseases of eyes, nose and throat and brain apart from protection from common cold and being helpful in Sinusitis problems.
Although it may sound "Gross", but nasal cleansing has many benefits and the fact is people who practice Neti have cleaner noses than those who do not practice. Moreover Jal Neti is very easy to practice and hardly take 10 minutes of your time.
What does it require?
You will need a pot designed for Neti and Saline water sufficient to fill two pots. The water should be lukewarm, as cold water may cause cold in some people. For salinity use Rock salt. Saline water, made with one teaspoonful added to half-litre water, should be used. If the concentration of salt is similar to the salt level in the blood, there are less chances of the water being absorbed in the body.
Jal Neti Pot.
How important is Neti?
If we observe our breathing pattern we will observer that we do not breath evenly with both the nostrils. One of our nostrils remains bit more congested as compared to another. When we clean the nasal passage using Neti, the breathing becomes more evenly balanced and the two hemispheres of our brain become more balanced. Since I have started Neti I have personally seen that the breathing has become more even throughout the entire day.
For practicing pranayama, it is important to have clear nasal passage, especially in Nadi Shodhan pranayama. It improves ones sense of smell and sensitivity of nose to pollution. Therefore for a yoga practitioner, it is an extremely important cleansing ritual.
How it helps in Sinusitis problem?
Sinus means cavity or space, but in terms of understanding the nasal this case refers to a number of air-filled spaces in the skull. These cavities clean the inhaled air before it reaches the lungs. When the mucus becomes polluted chances of infection increase causing sinusitis. Practicing Jal Neti draws out the infection and cleans the nasal passage which help people with problems of sinusitis. The nostrils are doused and cleansed with saline water so that deeper recesses of the sinus cavities in the skull are thoroughly cleansed. Saline water effectiveness can be judged by the fact the nasal drops give to kids in case of blocked nose is nothing but distilled saline water.
How to do Jal Neti?
Performing Neti is very simple. Take two pot of filtered water and mix one teaspoon of rock salt. Heat the water slightly so that it is similar to body temperature.
You can either do it sitting on your haunches or standing near the basin.
Now fill water in the neti pot and put the nozzle in one of your nose. Make sure
that the breathing is done through your mouth. Just concentrate on breathing through mouth and tilt your held so that water start flowing and coming out of the other nostril. Just be patient and let the water finish in the pot. Now let the
water drain off naturally. Again fill the pot with remaining water and repeat the same process from the opposite nostril. Once the water finishes, exhale gently around 30-40 times from each nostril by blocking the other nostril. This is very important as it will draw out excess water.
After this perform around 200-300 rounds of
Kapalbhati Pranayama. Now lie down in Corpse pose (Shavasana) for some time.
When to do Neti?
Neti is most beneficial if it is done in early morning and evening before meals.
Benefits of Jal Neti
The benefits of jal neti are several: relief from chronic fatigue, respiratory problems, sleeplessness. It strengthens eye sight and nerves. For lot of people it has been found to beneficial for Migraine pain and allergy.
Most of the people I know are afraid to even try Jal Neti once and see if it works out for them. They think that it would be awful feeling to let the water flow in the nose and it will be extremely uncomfortable feeling. But once they try this technique they are hooked. In case you are still doubtful why not give it a try and experience for yourself the benefits and the ease with which you can do this?
I prefer to use Stainless steel neti pot since it is light in weight and easier to handle. You can also know the water temperature by touching the surface of the pot. Here is a link to buy neti pot.
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