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Jala and Sutra Neti

Jala Neti

This Practice should be preformed in the morning with other Shuddhi practices or purification practices and also known as cleanses. This practice cleans the nasal passages making the practice of Pranayama easier as well as normal breathing.

Before you start you need to find out which nostril is more open. To do this, first plug one nostril and inhale through the open nostril. Then plug the other nostril and inhale through the open nostril. If one nostril is more open, then start with that nostril, if both nostrils are equally open, then start with any nostril.

Practice

Start with distilled bowling water.

Add bowling water to the level of the spout.

Add 1 teaspoon of salt to one liter. (1/2 teaspoon to one stainless steel neti pot may be suitable)

Fill the rest with room temperature distilled water.

Tilt the head down, allowing the chin to almost contact the upper chest.

Tilt the head to one side. So if the Neti pot is in the left nostril, the right ear should lower to the right shoulder.

Relax and pore half of the pot through one nostril then the rest of the pot through the other nostril.

Sutra Neti

With this practice, you will need a rubber catheter which can be purchased at a local medical supply store or website. We suggest using a rubber catheter over the traditional use of a cotton thread, because of the time and effort needed to prepare the cotton thread when there is an easier and cleaner way to preform Sutra Neti.

Many people suffer from a mild case of a deviated septum which is harmless. In the case of an acute deviated septum, it may be difficult inserting a rubber catheter into the nasal passage. Many people have mild nasal septal deviations, which is more or less harmless. If the deviation is acute then one may feel a block while inserting the rubber tube. Seek expert guidance in such cases.

Practice

Take the rubber catheter in your hand and very gently insert the tube inside the left nostril.

Use patience when preforming this practice because of the sensitive membranes inside the nostrils.

Push the tube into your nostril upwards, until the rubber catheter hits the back of the throat.

At this point the tube will bend and go down the throat.

Continue inserting the catheter slowly.

Open your mouth and use your middle and index fingers to grab the tube from inside your throat.

Pull the tube out so that part of it is just outside the mouth. Do not let go of the other end of the tube, which you are holding with your other hand.

Now using both hands move the tube in a massaging motion to clean the nostrils and throat.

Repeat the procedure with the right nostril.

Duration

The Neti pot should be used daily and can be preformed several times a day if needed.

Care

Neti Pot

After using the Neti pot, rinse the pot well with tap water and allow to air dry.

If rust spots start to appear, pour some vinegar in the pot, stir then dump the vinegar out and rinse well.

Sutra Neti

To clean the catheter, place it in bowling water for a few minutes or soak the catheter in vinegar for a few minutes, then throatily rinse and dry the catheter.

Make sure that it is completely dry before storage.

Benefits of Neti

Helps to maintain the nasal hygiene by removing the dirt and bacteria trapped along with the mucus in the nostrils.

De-sensitizes the sensitive tissues inside the nose, which can alleviate rhinitis, allergies and some types of asthma.

Several health issues like sinusitis, migraine, headaches, can be reduced by practicing Neti.

Related Hatha Yoga Practices

Shatkarma

The six cleansing actions are intended to be the start of a Yoga practice in order to clean, strengthen, remove toxins and improve the flow of Prana through out the practitioner.

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Asana

Yoga poses help to elongate and strengthen the muscles of the body as well as to calm the mind for the deeper spiritual practices of Yoga.

Learn More

Pranayama

Breathing exercises are a great practice to remove carbon dioxide, increase lung capacity as well as being a good preparatory practice for the deepest spiritual practice of Yoga, Meditation.

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Bandha

The four body locks that makes up this practice give the practitioner the ability to hold or lock Prana in certain locations of the body. These practices also allow the practitioner to release blockages that may be holding the practitioner back.

Learn More

Mudra

The gestures in this practice include the whole body and are intended to awaken Prana, Chakras as well as Kundalini energy within the practitioner.

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Meditation

Meditation is the highest spiritual practice of Yoga which is why this practice is the most difficult practice to preform, but with correct knowledge and dedication, can be the most profound practice of Yoga.

Learn More