Without regular cleansing of the system you will not gain maximum
benefits from your practices. When the body is free the mind also
functions properly. Body cleansing is gained through the practice of
shatkarmas or the six purificatory techniques.
There are six main groups of shatkarmas or Yogic cleansers as follows:
1 –
Neti: nasal cleansing, including jala neti andn sutra neti.
2 –
Dhauti: cleansing of the digestive tract, including danta dhauti, vatsara dhauti and so forth.
3 – N
auli: abdominal massage.
4 –
Basti: colon cleaning.
5 –
Kapalbhati: purification and vitalization of the
frontal lobes.
6 – Trataka: blinkless gazing.
JALA NETI:
Jala neti is a process of cleaning the nasal passage with salt water, and is essential in allowing free breathing.
The functions of the nose
The nose is the body’s organ for ensuring that the air that enters
the lungs is of sufficient purity and warmth not to cause harm. The air
that we inhale is rarely suitable for entry into the lungs. It is
generally too cold, too dirty and too germ-ridden. It is the function of
the nose to rectify this situation. First of all, the air we breathe
contains dust and small insects. These larger impurities are initially
screened out by the vibrating hairs at the entrance to the nasal
passages. These hairs vibrate in the opposite direction to the air as it
enters the nose and prevent impurities from proceeding further. In the
deeper regions of the nose there are special bony structures which are
covered with a thick, spongy, germicidal mucus membrane, through which
circulates a large, rich supply of blood. The mucus membrane follows a
long winding air passage which ensures that all the inhaled air comes in
contact with the membranes.
These mucus membranes remove millions of germs that are contained in
the air and which could cause the lungs much harm, and in fact do in the
case of pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, etc. This mucus membrane
also removes small particles of dust that have passed through the first
defence of the hairs.
This membrane both heats and moistens the air to a level which will
not harm the lungs. Cold and dry air can result in much injury to the
lungs. Deeper in the nose there are a set of glands which further help
to eliminate germs that have managed to escape the previous defences.
Additionally, our sense of smell prevents us inhaling noxious gases. As
soon as we smell something unpleasant we immediately stop breathing, or
if possible seek clean, fresh air. By now the reader should be aware of
the importance of the seemingly insignificant organ – the nose.
It should also be obvious why it is so unhealthy to breathe
continually through the mouth as so many people do. When air is inhaled
through the mouth instead of the nose, it escapes all the mechanisms of
the nose which prepare the air for admittance to the lungs. All the
dust, germs, cold and dry air directly enter the lungs. The mouth and
throat do have mechanisms for removing these impurities and air
conditions, but they are nowhere nearly as efficient as the nose.
If the nose is blocked, or if the mucus membranes are profusely
covered in impurities, then the nose cannot perform its duties
effectively. In fact if the nose is completely blocked, then one is
forced to breathe through the mouth. And we have already explained the
disadvantages of this process. This is the reason why we blow our noses:
to remove these impurities and to allow the nose to operate
efficiently. However, the normal nose blowing does not remove all
impurities. Ingrained, dry mucus can remain. This is one of the reasons
that the practice of neti was developed: to ensure the best possible
cleaning of the nose.
There are other reasons for the use of neti such as the stimulation
of various nerve endings in the nose; this leads to improvement in the
brain and organs to which these nerves connect and also helps in the
stimulation of
ajna chakra, the midbrain psychic centre.
Equipment
A pot or lota (pitcher) should be used to introduce salt water into the nostrils. This pot is known as a neti lota. It
can be made of brass or any other suitable material which does not
contaminate water, but the important thing to remember is that the
nozzle on the end of the spout should be suitably sized so that the end
fits comfortably into your nostril.
Salt water:
The water used in the practice should be pure and lukewarm; body
temperature is the ideal temperature for pouring the water into your
nose. The water should then be mixed with clean salt in the proportion
of one teaspoonful per half litre of water. Make sure the salt is fully
dissolved in the water. People often wonder why salt water is introduced
into the nostrils instead of ordinary water. The reason is very simple
and very practical. Saltwater has a much higher osmotic pressure than
ordinary water, which means that salt water is not easily absorbed into
the delicate blood vessels and membranes in the nose, whereas ordinary
water is. If you try this practice with ordinary water you will discover
for yourself, in the form of discomfort or a little pain in the nose.
However, we don’t suggest you do this, though it is not at all
dangerous. In conclusion, salt water is ideal for jala neti, because
while it thoroughly cleans the nostrils of impurities it is not absorbed
into the delicate nasal membranes. As such no discomfort will be felt
when the water flows through the nose.
Posture:
One may either sit in a squatting position known as kagasana, or one
may assume a standing position, bending the shoulders and head forwards.
This position is most suitable for doing neti into a sink or wash
basin, while the other position, kagasana, can be done in the garden or
in a shower.
Technique:
Fill the neti pot with the prepared salt water. Hold the bottom of
the pot with one hand, as shown in the accompanying picture. Gently
insert the end of the nozzle into the end of the left nostril (or, if
this is blocked into the right nostril). There should be no force
involved, but the nozzle should press firmly against the side of the one
nostril so that no water leakage occurs. Progressively tilt your head
to the right side while simultaneously raising the neti pot in such a
way that water runs into the left nostril. Make sure that you keep your
mouth wide open so that you can breathe. Some people say that the mouth
should be closed and the
breath held during the practice, but we feel this complicates,
especially for beginners, a practice that is essentially very simple. If
the pot is in the correct position, if your head is tilted at a
suitable angle and if there is a tight fit between the nozzle and the
sides of the nose, then the water should flow in through one nostril and
out through the other nostril. It doesn’t matter if water flows into
your mouth or throat, but if the practice is performed correctly with
relaxation this should not happen. Allow the water to flow through the
nostrils for 10 to 20 seconds. Then remove the neti pot and remove the
water and impurities from your nose by closing the left nostril and
breathing quickly and forcibly through the other nostril. Don’t blow so
hard, however, that you damage your nose and cause bleeding. In this
respect the practitioner should use his/her discretion. Now close the
right nostril and blow forcibly through the left nostril. Now pour water
into the right nostril for about 2’0 seconds and repeat the same
process. Again pour water into each of the nostrils in turn, repeating
the same technique just described .Drying the nostrils: after
completing this practice the nostrils must be dried and any further
impurities removed. Stand erect. Bend forwards so that the trunk assumes
a horizontal position. Close one ostril by pressing the side of the
nose with the thumb. Breathe in and out vigorously up to 10 times in
quick succession.
The exhalation should be especially emphasized to expel the moisture
from the nostrils. Repeat the same procedure with the other nostril
closed. Then repeat the same procedure with both nostrils open. This
simple practice should remove most of the moisture from the nose. If
moisture remains the vigorous breathing should be repeated until the
nose is perfectly dry.
Duration:
Once the practitioner is familiar with the technique, the whole
practice can be completed in a short period of time. Not including
preparation of the water, the whole process should take less than five
minutes. Neti is ideally practised early in the morning before
breakfast. However, if necessary, it can be practised at other times of
the day, excepting straight after meals. Once a day is sufficient,
though if one has nasal catarrh, a cold or any other specific ailment,
it may be practised more times.
Limitations and precautions
People who suffer from chronic bleeding of the nose should not do
neti without expert advice. Make sure that the water is not too hot when
you introduce it into the nostrils. Do not breathe in and out too
deeply when removing the moisture from the nose; we are trying to
improve the condition of your nose, not damage it. Also, if the sinuses
are blocked with mucus, be careful not to blow your nose hard. It is
very easy to push the mucus further into the cavities. Ensure that the
salt fully dissolves in the water before pouring it into your nose.
Be careful to hold the head correctly and not to hold the neti pot
too low. In order for the water to flow into one nostril and out the
other, the water level in the pot must be higher than the region at the
back of the nose, where the two nostrils merge with each other. If you
tilt your head too much then the water will go down your throat instead
of the other nostril. If you tilt the pot too much the water will merely
overflow out of the pot. You must adjust the position of your head and
the pot so that they are at correct levels.
People who have great difficulty passing water through the nose may
have a structural blockage such as a polyp. Expert advice should be
sought. If there is a slight burning sensation in the nose during your
first attempt with salt water, don’t worry. This will disappear as your
nose tissue becomes accustomed to contact with water.
Benefits:
Neti is the best method of preventing and eliminating colds. An
effective cure for the common cold has not yet been found. Neti is not
foolproof, but it goes a long way to solving the problem. A cold
indicates something significant, namely that your body is in a weakened
condition. If this was not the case, the cold virus would be unable to
penetrate the defences of your system; your autotherapeutic powers would
be strong enough to withstand such an attack. The cold virus flourishes
in nerve tissue, particularly the olfactory nerves in the nose. During a
cold, neti greatly helps by removing the accumulated mucus in the nose,
this being a breeding ground.
Regular practice of neti when you don’t have a cold keeps the nasal
passages working at optimum efficiency and thereby helps to maintain a
healthy body. Remember, breathing through the mouth or insufficient
treatment of the inhaled air prior to entry into the lungs, due to nasal
blockage and congestion, can encourage the onset of disease, by
allowing germs to infect the lungs, or by generally weakening the state
of health of the body. Neti is also a help in curing sinusitis, ailments
of the eyes, nose and throat, tonsillitis, catarrh, as well as
inflammation of the adenoids and mucus membranes. It is effective in
removing headaches, insomnia and tiredness.
Neti has a subtle influence on the various nerves which end in the
nasal passages, such as the olfactory bulb and other adjacent nerves
which innervate the eyes, ears, etc. This has a very soothing influence
on the brain and can help to relieve such ailments as migraine,
epilepsy, depression, tension, etc.
Neti helps in no small manner to prevent and cure lung diseases such
as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, etc., for the
reasons already mentioned. Respiration becomes much easier, which leads
to an improved intake of oxygen, improved removal of carbon dioxide and
consequently better health.
Importance of neti in yogic physiology
The science of yoga maintains that the flow of air in each nostril
alternately changes. If you test this for yourself, you will find this
to be true. At present one of your nostrils is admitting more air than
the other. After some time the other nostril will admit the greater
amount of air.
This alternate flow of breath through the two nostrils in turn has a
profound influence on the energy cycle of man. It controls our thinking
and physical activity, our introversion and extroversion. This cycle has
a great bearing on our mental and physical health. Now if one or both
of the nostrils are permanently blocked, then this natural alternation
of breath flow cannot occur. Our health can suffer. This is another
reason why jala neti is so important; it cleans both nostrils and allows
the Breathing is a process that we rarely give any thought to. It
occurs automatically without our awareness, yet at the same time it is
something that most people do incorrectly. If breathing is a spontaneous
function of the body, how is it possible to do it incorrectly? The
answer is that our respiratory muscles become lazy and cease to give
optimum inhalation and exhalation.
