Jal Neti Pranayama

 
Jal Neti is a technique that was used by yogis to stay disease-free, and most importantly to use the breath well for their yogic practices without any blockages. Just how brushing the teeth is dental hygiene, the practice of Jal Neti is nasal hygiene. This technique uses water to purify and clean the nasal path, right from the nostrils to the throat.
 Jal Neti is one of the six-purification procedures or ‘Shatkarmas’ mentioned in Hatha Yoga Pradeepika.

What do you need to do Jal Neti

• A Jalneti pot
• A pinch of salt
• Lukewarm water

A Jal Neti pot is usually small and has a long spout on one side, which is small enough to be inserted gently into one of the nostrils during the process.
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Benefits of Jal Neti

• Daily practice helps maintain the nasal hygiene by removing the dirt and bacteria trapped along with the mucus in the nostrils.
• It soothes the sensitive tissues inside the nose, which can assuage a bout of rhinitis or allergies.
• It is beneficial in dealing with asthmatic conditions and making breathing easier.
• It reduces tinnitus and middle ear infections.
• It helps abate sinusitis or migraine attack.
• It can alleviate upper respiratory complaints like sore throats, tonsils, and dry coughs.
• It can clear the eye ducts and improve vision.
• Clearing of nasal passages helps improve the sense of smell and thereby improves digestion.
• It calms the nervous system and the mind. It also helps relieve stress and brings clarity to the mind.
• People have experienced a reduction in their anger by practicing Jal Neti regularly.
• It helps improve the quality of your meditation.

Jal Neti precautions

• The nose should be dried properly after the process.
• People with high blood pressure should be careful during this part. If one feels dizzy while drying the nose, then it should be done standing upright.
• Take care that you do not leave any water in the nasal passages as it might cause an infection.
• Like any other yogic practice, learn it from an expert practitioner.
• Jal Neti goes beyond nasal cleansing and helps in aligning your body, mind, and soul. Hence, it should be practiced daily and not only when one has a nasal blockage or cold.

How to correctly perform jala neti?

For performing neti, you must have a special pot, which is known as a neti lota or a neti pot. The nozzle of the end of the spout should fit comfortably into your nostril so that the water does not leak out. Make sure that the water is at body temperature and has salt mixed in it. The proportion of salt should be one teaspoonful per half a litre of water. If you experience pain or a burning sensation while performing jala neti, it could mean that there is either too little or too much salt in the water. There are two stages of 

Stage 1: Washing the nostrils 

•  Firstly fill the pot with salted water and stand straight with legs apart.
•  Now lean forward (from your back) and close your eyes.
•  Tilt your head to one side and then slightly raise your chin while moving your head back.
•  Breathe through your mouth and insert the nozzle into the upper nostril.
•  Press the nozzle of the pot firmly into the nostril (do not force it) to avoid water leakage.
•  Now tilt the neti pot in such a way that the saltwater from the pot runs into the nostril and not down your face.
•  Now adjust your body position to enable the saltwater to pass through the other nostril.
• Remove the nozzle from the nostril when half of the saltwater has passes through. Let the rest of the water run out of both the nostrils.
• Blow your nose gently to remove any mucus.
• Now tilt your head to the other side and repeat the process.
• You might feel that your nose has dried completely after this process.

Stage 2: Drying the nostrils 

In order to dry your nostril, you will have to follow these steps:

• Stand straight and close the right nostril with your right thumb. Now breathe in and out through your left nostril 5 to 10 times quickly. Now repeat the same on the other side.
• Stand straight and bend horizontally forward from your waist. Close your right nostril, tilt your head to the right and breathe in and out through your left nostril 5 to 10 times quickly. Repeat the same process again on the left side. Finish it by keeping your head in the centre and breathing through both nostrils.
• Stand straight with your feet apart. Close your right nostril and breathe out forcefully while bending forward quickly from your waist. Now return to the upright position while inhaling normally. Do this 5 to 10 times. Repeat the same process by closing the left nostril and then end it by opening both the nostrils.