(Jal = Water, Neti = Nasal cleaning) A Nasal Cleansing Process with saline water
Jalneti is one of the subdivisions of Neti. Neti is one of the shatkriyas (cleasing process) described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. We use lukewarm saline water and a specially designed neti pot to perform this kriya.
Neti Pot: Jalneti pot can be acquired from any of the Yoga Institutes. It can be of brass or any other material, which does not contaminate the water. Make sure to clean the pot with hot water to sterilize the equipment before you using it. In case, you are not able to arrange the pot, you can collect water in your hand as well and perform the same.
Water & Salt Ratio: Take lukewarm water, same as your body temperature i.e. 98.4oF or 37oC, dissolve one-teaspoon salt to half a liter of water. It is important to use salt-water instead plain water, as salt water does not get easily absorbed in the delicate blood vessels & membranes due to osmotic pressure. Pour the water in a small cup to the brim.
Method
Step 1: Hold the pot from the bottom in your right hand. Stand with your legs apart.
Step 2: Lightly insert the nozzle of the pot in your right nostril (you should not stuff your right nostril with the nozzle, place it softly).
Step 3: Lean forward a little. Slowly begin to turn your head to the left as if you are trying to rest your left ear on the left shoulder. Simultaneously, your right elbow is going up towards the ceiling.
Step 4: Keep your mouth open and lightly breath in and out from your mouth without disturbing the flow of water.
Step 5: Get your chin down towards your chest.
Step 6: You will reach a point where water starts getting into your right nostril and automatically starts coming out of your left nostril.
Step 7: Allow the water to flow for 10-20 seconds uninterruptedly.
Step 8: Perform few rounds of Shwasan Marg Shuddhi from the right nostril by softly blocking your left nostril.
Step 9: Repeat the same process with the left nostril holding the pot with the left hand.
Frequency: You can do it safely almost everyday. The best time is to do it in the early morning. However, it can be done at other times as well. Do not perform this after a heavy meal.
Drying up the Nasal Passage: This is the most critical factor in practicing Jal Neti & Vyut Krama otherwise you may end up with more problems than actually benefitting from it. It is very important to dry up the moisture in the nasal passage as otherwise; this could lead to many problems.
Step 1: Perform few rounds of Shwasan Marg Shuddhi & Kapalbhati so that the nasal passage is dry.
Step 2: Perform Kapalbhati again in Adhomukha Svanasana / Dog Pose / Parvatasana. This will drain out all the residual water from the inside of the nostril.
Step 3: From Adhomukhas Svanasana slowly move to Shashankasana / Child pose, wait for few seconds in that posture and again move back to Adhomukha Svanasana. Repeat few times. You can feel the movement of water inside your nostril if it is still there and will see the remaining water dripping out of your nostril.
Note
In case you feel a burning sensation in your nostril, then the ratio of salt and water is skewed.
Also, do not lie down on your back for 1-2 hours after the practice.
Benefits
The very simple result of performing Jalneti & Vyut Krama on a regular basis is a cleansed nasal passage that ensures that the air reaching the lungs are pure and warmth especially in today’s world where pollution has become a part of our living.
- Respiratory System: Improves functioning of respiratory system and the problems associated with this system. At the same time, also helps improve breathing pattern. Regular practice of Vyut Krama & Jalneti helps improve respiration thereby making it easy for people with lung diseases (asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis etc.) to have improved intake of oxygen and improved removal of carbon dioxide and thereby better respiration..
- Cold: Vyutkrama proves to be one of the best methods for preventing and eliminating functional cold. It helps remove accumulated mucus, which is the breeding ground for the cold viruses.
- Sinusitis: Regular practice of Vyut Krama has shown to deal with even chronic sinus.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): It helps clear upper airway obstruction, which causes OSA.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Mucus removal through the practice of Vyutkrama help people suffering from COPD improve their respiration.
- Eye Nose Tongue: It helps remove the ailment of eyes, nose & throat.
- Migraine: Vyut Krama practice is recommended for Migraine issue as well.
Contraindications
- Persons with completely blocked nostrils should avoid this practice.
- It should also be avoided by the people who suffer from chronic nose bleeding..
- If 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.
- Avoid in case of recent ear infection or nasal septum deviation operation