Yoga Practice Name
Jala Neti
Yoga Practice Branch
Ashtang Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga
Yoga Practice Type
Hatha Yoga Category
Kriya
Steps and Description
- Fill the neti pot with the prepared saltwater.
- Stand squarely, legs apart, with the bodyweight evenly distributed between the feet, and lean forward.
- Close the eyes for a minute or so and relax the whole body. Tilt the head to one side and slightly back. Begin to breathe through the mouth.
- Gently insert the nozzle into the uppermost nostril. There should be no force involved.
- The nozzle should press firmly against the side of the nostril so that no water leakage occurs.
- Tilt the neti pot in such a way that water runs into the nostril and not down the face.
- Adjust the body position to enable the water to pass out through the other nostril.
- When half the water has passed through the nostrils, remove the nozzle from the nostril, center the head and let the water run out of the nose.
- Remove any mucus from the nose by blowing gently. Tilt the head to the opposite side and repeat the process, placing the nozzle of the lota in the other nostril.
- After completing this process the nostrils must be thoroughly dried.
- Stand erect. Close the right nostril with the right thumb and breathe in and out through the left nostril 5 to 10 times in quick succession, emphasising exhalation as in kapalbhati.
- Repeat through the right nostril, with the left nostril closed. Perform once more through both nostrils.
- Bend forward from the waist so that the trunk is horizontal.
- Repeat the same process as described above but tilt the head to the right, closing the right nostril.
- Repeat again, tilting the head to the left and closing the left nostril.
- Finally, repeat again with the head centred, breathing through both nostrils.
Cautions and Limitations
The water should only pass through the nose.
If any water enters the throat or mouth it is an indication that the position of the head needs to be adjusted.
Make sure that the nose is properly dried after the practice, otherwise the nasal passages may become irritated and manifest the symptoms of a cold.
Do not blow the nose too hard as the remaining water may be pushed into the ears. If necessary, perform shashankasana.
Contraindications
- Those people who suffer from chronic bleeding in the nose should not do jala neti without expert advice.
- Those who consistently have great difficulty passing water through the nose may have a structural blockage and should seek expert advice.
Complimentary Practice
Kapalbhati
General Benefits
- Jala neti removes mucus and pollution from the nasal passages and sinuses, allowing air to flow without obstruction.
- It helps prevent and manage respiratory tract diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and pulmonary tuberculosis. It helps to relieve allergies, colds and sinusitis, together with various disorders of the ears, eyes and throat, including myopia, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, certain types of deafness such as glue-ears, tonsillitis and inflammation of the adenoids and mucus membranes.
- Mouth breathing in children can be reduced by practising jala neti.
Benefits for Disease
Depression
