Benefits of Jal Neti
What is Jal Neti?
Jal Neti is one of the six-purification procedures called Shatkarmas mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika. (This is the oldest surviving manual of Hatha Yoga, written in the 15th century by Swami Svatmarama).
Jal Neti is a technique used by Yogis to stay healthy and disease-free. In detail it is helping to get the nose free of any blockages, removing all the mucus, dust and impurities from the nasal passages. In this way more oxygen will go to the lungs, without any obstruction. As a result breathing will be eased. Therefore this technique will also help you to optimize the breathing quality while practicing asanas, pranayama and meditation .
For this procedure you will need a so called Neti pot, which you can get in any Yoga (Online) Store but you can also use a Physiological Nose Shower like this from Emser which you can get at pharmacy.
How to practice Jal Neti?
Prepare lukewarm saline water. It shall be not too hot or cold. (I would recommend to first cook the water and then let it cool down. It not even insures that bacterias are gone, it also helps if the water is very hard.) It is recommended to take a level teaspoon/2,5 g salt for 500ml of water. Use pure salt (without added iodine). I would recommend Himalaya salt from organic store, or if you are using the Emser Physiological Nose Shower the Emser salt can be used too. Normal sea salt I experienced as a bit irritating.
Stand in front of a washbasin, bend slightly forward and tilte your neck to the left. Then put the spout of the Jal Neti pot/Physiological Nose Shower in your upper (right) nostril, keep your mouth open and breath gently through the mouth so that the water can pass easily from the right to the left nostril. After letting half of the water run through your nose stop. Tilled your neck to the right and repeat the process pouring water in the other nostril.
(Note: If you tilt your head too much or try to breath through your nose, than the water enters into your throat instead of going to the other nostril. This will cause no harm but it is not what we want.)
After that it is essential to dry your nasal cavities. If you don’t, there might be still water left. This could cause an infection. So stand in the same position as while doing Jal Neti . Blow the air out without any force. Herewith the mouth is closed. It is done like in Kapalabhati Pranayama. (Note: While breathing like this avoid to blow very hard as it may push water into the ears.)
After this it is recommended to do Shashankasana/the child pose. It will help that the rest of the water is coming out of your nostrils, in the case something is left.
For deeper effects, Jal Neti is practiced on a daily basis, best in the morning.
Initially it is best if someone, who is practicing Jal Neti already for some time, is showing it to you.
Precautions:
Do not practice Jal Neti if you are suffering of any chronic nose bleeding, any type of nose infection or if your nose is hurt. Directly after a nose operation Jal Neti shall not be practiced as well.
How Jal Neti can support your health?
Since Jal Neti has a positive influence on all sense organs in the head, a day to day practice of it can help you in following matters:
– It can be helpful in minimising chronic headache and migraine.
– It can alleviate upper respiratory complains like sore throat, tonsilsand or try cough.
-It calms nervous system as well as it helps to relieve stress. Furthermore memory and concentration are improved.
– It has an preventive effects against colds and sinusitis.
– It can help to ease hay fever and pollen allergies. It is even beneficial in dealing with asthmatic conditions.
– It can help to reduces tinnitus.
– Eye ducts are cleared, so vision can be strengthened or even improved. It relieves from tired eyes.
– It can help to prevent middle ear infections.