The Life Gift of Breathing Clearly
Jala Neti – The Practice of Sinus Irrigation
One of the most beautiful experiences in life is to breathe fully and wholly with vitality, to feel the body invigorated with every breath. The yoga cleansing technique of Jala Neti (also called neti or Jalaneti) is one of the oldest and most researched aspects of sinus irrigation and nasal clearing which helps prepare your body for full body breathing.
Today, millions of people suffer from sinus infections of some sort. While many of them are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, there is help available through this unique method of sinus irrigation.
Jala Neti has remarkable effects on treating sinus infections helping to drain the sinus cavities which in turn will help reprogram the body’s natural mechanisms against nasal infections such as hayfever, allergies, sinusitis and other respiratory complaints like sore throats and coughs. It is also helpful in addressing allergies, headaches and stress and most importantly it clears the nasal passages allowing you to breathe fully.
In its simplest form, Jala Neti is a way of nasal irrigation or washing of the sinuses in a unique manner through a special pot called the neti pot or the jalaneti pot.
Method
As always technique is very important.
Nasal clearing can be performed over a sink or bowl in the shower or outside.
Fill the Neti pot with tepid water and add salt (approx 1/3 tsp to neti pot equating to 0.9% isotonic solution, the same as human blood)
Place the nose cone of the neti pot into the right nostril gently sealing it. Slowly bend forward from the waist so the tip of the nose is the lowest point of the head and then tilt the head to the left, so that the left nostril is now the lowest point of the nose. Close your mouth. Tilt the pot slowly as the saline solution begins to work its magic. After a few seconds the water should begin to run out of the left nostril. Be patient, initially there may be no or very little flow. Breathe through the mouth whenever you need to. Allow the water to flow for about half of the pot, water flowing right to left. Remove the pot, close off the right nostril with your index finger and gently blow to expel through the left nostril. Close off the left nostril with index finger and expel gently.
Repeat the same procedure on the right side. Always do half a pot right to left, then half a pot left to right. It is important to not blow hard or pinch the nostrils to create extra force; all that is needed is several soft blows into the sink to help remove the water from the nose. You may like to have a box of tissues handy to gently blow your nose as well during the initial stages.
Drying the Nose
Drying the nose is a very important part of the practice.
Part A is for those who do not suffer high blood pressure or dizziness. First bend forwards gently from the waist ensuring you soften/bend your knees as you hang your head upside down. Let any residual water drain out from the nose. Then point the nose towards the knees. A few droplets of water may run out.
Keeping your knees soft (off lock) rise to a standing position. Gently do some rapid breathing through both nostrils with a little more emphasis on the exhalation. Then seal off right nostril with index finger and repeat rapid breathing, release repeat with sealing off left nostril. Finally breathe consciously through both nostrils.
Part B. If you suffer with high blood pressure you can simply bend slightly over the sink keeping your head above the heart and follow the above procedure.
If after doing the above steps the nostrils are still blocked, the whole process may be repeated several times a day until there is a free flow. Jala neti should preferably be practiced daily each morning just as you would wash your face and brush your teeth. As a daily practice it will continue to build up the strength and resilience of the respiratory passages leading to improved health and vitality.
Salt to Use
Pure sea salt is the best; the finer it is the easier it is to dissolve. Avoid table salt, vegetable salt and rock salt which often have minerals or compounds added to them.
Summary of Benefits
- Neti removes all the dirt and bacteria filled mucus from within the nose.
- It is beneficial for illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis as it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing by freeing the nostrils of mucus.
- It 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.
- Neti is of great benefit for problems associated with the eyes. It helps flush the tear ducts, encouraging clearer vision and gives a sparkle to the eyes.
- It can be beneficial for certain types of ear disorders such as middle ear infections, glue ear, tinnitus.
- Neti improves sensitivity of the olfactory nerves, helping to restore lost sense of smell, and thereby benefits the relationship with taste and the digestive processes.
- It has subtle effects on the pineal and pituitary glands which control the hormonal system. This has a harmonising effect on emotional behaviour.
- Neti affects the psychic centre known as Ajna Chakra which helps in awakening higher states of meditation.
- It helps to stimulate better powers of visualisation and concentration and gives a feeling of lightness and clarity to the mind.
- Neti is excellent for those trying to give up smoking. Since it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing, Neti re-sensitises the nose to the actual pollution of ingesting smoke, thereby de-programming the brain of the physical and psychological addiction.
Jala Neti pots are available for purchase through most health shops, Indian Stores and from the Manasa Yoga studio.
© Copyright 2010 Megan Ward
http://www.manasayoga.com/
You make some interesting points…I’d like to know what you would recommend in my situation. My goal is to shed about 15 pounds in the next couple of months. But there are such a huge number of “systems” out there and I have no idea which one to trust. Can somebody point me towards a good plan for burning fat and packing on muscle?
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me learned many of these. It is always really nice to feel appreciated! Good luck in your wellness pursuits,
This is one of the most honest blogs I have ever read. Nothing overcomes good first hand experience on topics. Thank you for being sincere about this.
Beautiful vocabulary! Inspiring pro each one
Try and find a good yoga class near you, it will achieve what you desire, slowly but steadily. Yoga utilizes deep internal muscles which will give you muscle tone, weight loss and suppleness. Namaste, Megan
Hello you it´s just i do totally like your special site, I would feel special to post a bloomy review about your amazing site in my little would you say yes please? Timex Heart rate monitor
Epic blog
I’m happy I stumbled here through google. I’m going to definitely have to add this one to the blogroll…
Wow! What an awesome way to write about writing! I truly like how each writer was able to read and share their emotion instead of leaving the reader to figure it out on their own.
I saw this really great post today!
Nice site, I envy it, but it seems a little weird when under mozzila browser, keep it moving:)
Had errors viewing the site in Safari on Linux, but apart from that loved the site!
I just want to say fast hello and want to say appriciate for this very useful article. I found myself searching through the web for some kind of enlightenedletter. like that, or at least a website. That coveredwhat i want to
Best Regards.
I have been to your blog before. The more I take in, the more I keep coming back!
observed this on google, regarding creating involving, had been precisely what We regarding!
Great, thanks for sharing this article post.Much thanks again. Cool.
I will use your advice from now on. Jaap
Thank you for the article and thank everyone for submitting their comments because it provided additional clarification for me. This information has been extremely helpful me
Thank. It makes me feel great when I read all these stories. It helps me from hopelessness and make me more stronger to fly… thank… for everything. Love
I will use your advice from now on. Jaap
This is indeed a fantastic resource. Thank you for making this publicly available.
I am happy! It is simple to see that you are passionate about your website. Looking forward to future posts. Thanks!
Very good article I enjoy your website keep up the great blog posts,very use full information. thank you.
These tips are so true
Thanks for some quality thoughts there. I am kind of new to the internet , so I printed this off to put in my file, any better way to go about keeping track of it then printing?
Yep, put it into practice! Namaste
Gracias por compartir su maestría en esta área. Hay mucho Info inútil en esto que flota alrededor y aprecio su trabajo duro.
I will use your advice from now on. Jaap
…
thank you for discussing the information…..
Thank you for the advice. I’ve found your first point to be most effective.
Here’s a comment. Great advice =) Thanks
outstanding post! great advice, will take on board!
Excellent article and easy to understand explanation. How do I go about getting permission to post part of the article in my upcoming news letter? Giving proper credit to you the author and link to the site would not be a problem.
Hi, that is fine, thank you for requesting permission. Please just add my name, url and copyright. Forward me a copy, I would be interested to read your newsletter.
Namaste
…
It’s beneficial to possess the capability to understand a excellent quality publish with practical information on topics that plenty are fascinated on. The point that the facts indicated are all 1st hand on reside experiences even aid far more. Go on …
Not only are you right, but you have clearly delineated the alternative position.
This post has really given me some food for thought. I greatly appreciate your rich and thoughtful analysis. It’s posts like this that make me come back again and again.
Hi there, I found this blog once, then lost it. Took me forever to occur back and find it. I wanted to view what comments you got. Very good blog by the way.
Thanks for some quality thoughts there. I am kind of new to online , so I printed this off to put in my file, any better way to go about keeping track of it then printing?
…
Incredibly inspiring publish, Thanks !?!…
Dear admin, thnx for sharing this blog post. I discovered it wonderful. Greatest regards, Victoria…
Your server keeps crashing. I have been to this weblog three occasions today and usually times the page does not load. What webhosting corporation do you use ?
Hmm, not sure but I will find out for you.
Namaste