Jala Neti Kriya
The sinus passages are cleansed with warm saline water in the Jala Neti kriya (nasal washing). Yogis have been practicing yoga for ages because of the numerous and strong benefits it provides. It's also known as Neti irrigation or saline nasal irrigation. Yoga practitioners use Jal Neti to stay disease-free and, more significantly, to properly use their breath in their yoga exercises. In the same manner that brushing your teeth is dental hygiene, Jal Neti is nasal hygiene. The nasal canal, which runs from the nostrils to the throat, is cleansed and cleared with water. Hatha Yoga Pradeepika's six cleaning processes, or 'Shatkarmas,' include Jal Neti.
What are the requirements to do Jal Neti?
- A Neti pot
- A pinch of salt
- Lukewarm water
A Neti pot is typically tiny, with a long spout on one side that may be gently placed into one of the nostrils during the procedure. It's been utilised in yoga for its incredible physical, psychological, and spiritual advantages. However, due of its dramatic effect on the sinuses, Jalaneti has become extremely popular in the modern world. It cures sinus infections and allergies naturally, without the use of medications, with rapid, long-lasting, and side-effect-free outcomes.
Method
A specific pot, known as a neti lota or a neti pot, is required for conducting neti. So that the water does not leak out, the nozzle at the end of the spout should easily fit into your nostril. Check to see if the water is at body temperature and contains salt. One teaspoon of salt per half litre of water is the recommended ratio. If you feel discomfort or a burning feeling when doing jala neti, it's possible that the water contains too little or too much salt. Jala neti is divided into two stages:
Stage 1: Washing the nostrils
- To begin, fill the pot halfway with salted water and stand tall with your legs apart.
- Close your eyes and lean forward (from your back).
- Tilt your head to one side, then lift your chin slightly as you move your head back.
- Breathe normally via your mouth and place the nozzle in your upper nostril.
- To avoid water leaking, press the nozzle of the pot firmly into the nose (do not force it).
- Tilt the neti pot so that the saltwater from the pot flows into your nose rather than down your face.
- Now shift your weight to allow the saltwater to enter into the opposite nostril.
- When half of the saltwater has passed through, remove the nozzle from the nose. Allow the remaining water to drain from both nostrils.
- Gently blow your nose to clear any mucus.
- Repeat the technique by tilting your head to the opposite side.
- After this procedure, you may see that your nose has totally dried.
Stage 2: Drying the nostrils
You will need to dry your nose by following these instructions:
- Stand up and use your right thumb to shut your right nostril. 5 to 10 times via your left nostril, inhale and exhale rapidly. Rep the process on the opposite side.
- Stand tall and bend forward horizontally from the waist. Close your right nostril, tilt your head to the right, and breathe in and out quickly 5 to 10 times via your left nostril. Reverse the procedure on the other side. Keep your head in the center and breathe through both nostrils to complete the exercise.
- Stand with your feet apart and your back straight. Close your right nostril and aggressively exhale while swiftly leaning forward from your waist. Now, while inhaling normally, return to the upright posture. Repeat 5 to 10 times. Close the left nostril and then open both nostrils to complete the operation.
Precautions
Use a neti pot for each nostril if feasible. Avoid this kriya if your nose is clogged by a cold, bleeding, or diseased internally (process). They should do Jalaneti after clearing their nostrils with Kapalbhati Pranayama.
- After the procedure, the nose should be thoroughly dried.
- This section should be avoided by anyone with high blood pressure. If drying one's nose makes them dizzy, they should do so while standing up.
- Make sure there's no water left in your nasal passages, as this might lead to an infection.
- Learn it from a skilled practitioner, just like any other yogic practise.
Jal Neti is a nasal cleaning technique that also helps to balance your body, mind, as well as spirit. As a result, it should be done on a regular basis, not just when one has a nasal obstruction or a cold.
Jala Neti Kriya Benefits
- Respiratory problems such as sinusitis, allergies, asthma, and hay fever can be relieved right away.
- Neti aids in reprogramming of the body's natural systems to combat respiratory issues such as sore throats, coughing, and postnasal drips.
- It treats issues with the eyes and ears, such as deafness, tinitis, and myopia, among others.
- It works wonderfully for throat infections if you practise advanced stages of neti. It aids in the reprogramming of the body's natural processes to combat respiratory issues such as sore throats and coughing.
- It improves imagination and concentration skills and provides the mind a sense of lightness and clarity.
- It is particularly helpful for meditation on a higher dimension because it acts on the subtle effects of the olfactory bulb and the psychic centre, which is known in yoga as Ajna Chakra.
Jalaneti is regarded as a difficult yoga procedure that should only be attempted by most accomplished yogis. However, in fact, it is overly basic and devoid of complexities. It's entirely natural and doesn't have any bad side effects. Those who are used to taking drugs for every small sickness will be surprised to learn that yoga can treat almost all of them. Instead of doubting everything, one should believe and try to set an example for others.