A Nose For All Seasons

What will you do if (perhaps when) your allergies
activate, or you get a cold or sinusitis?
Your nose is congested, or running and
you can’t breathe properly. The whole
day seems to go slower, and you can’t
get good sleep.
Consider Jal Neti, practiced by
ancient yogis who lived close to nature
and attained great spiritual heights.
Using water, sea salt and a special pot
to cleanse the nasal passages, it offers
innumerable physical, physiological,
psychological and spiritual benefits.
How does it work?
Jal Neti is a simple and safe technique,
but we recommend learning it from
a qualified teacher. There are some
precautions and adjustments, but
overall it is a soothing and pleasant
experience.
The spout of the pot is inserted into
one nostril. Using proper positioning,
warm saline water flows up one nostril,
through the nasal passage and down
and out through the opposite nostril.
This is repeated on the opposite side.
The saline water cleanses the cilia and
mucosal lining of the nasal passage,
clearing it of particles, germs and
bacteria, as well as excess mucous
generated by colds, sinusitis, allergies, etc.
Using the proper posture, tools, and
important post-Neti breathing practices
ensures that the water comes out and
the nasal passage is refreshed.

Why cleanse?
Jal Neti is a simple, yet powerful
cleansing exercise that enhances
pranayam and meditation. Regular
practice supports inner awakening of
Ajna chakra, and it can manifest
profound impacts upon all of our body
sheaths by releasing us from toxic
thoughts and associations. Plus, clear
nasal passages promote better sleep,
less snoring, enhanced singing and
olfactory function, and also aids any
exercise routine.
These days, environmental pollution,
viruses, bacteria, static air, etc., may
overload the body’s miraculous ability
to entrap and eliminate offending
particles. Neti brings immediate relief
to resulting upper respiratory distress.
Clinical research published in respected
journals offers support: “The method has
no documented serious adverse effects and
is well tolerated by most . . . nasal irrigation
has enormous potential in improving
quality of life in a cost-efficient manner
for millions of patients.”
(Tomooka et al, Laryngoscope)

Case studies
The maxillary sinus areas around Larraine’s
cheeks were painfully pink as
she spoke in congested tones. After several
weeks of a daily Neti regime, she is lighter
and reports no recurrence of disabling
migraines. Others, like Agnes, now a faithful
Neti practitioner, observes it makes her
“feel so good to do the Neti first thing
in the morning and to start the day
fresh and energized”. So, let’s remember:
Jal Neti offers an effective, easy, and very low
cost way to breathe better, and enhance daily focus!
Ajay Gupta, RPh, MScIM and Terry Gupta, MSW,
RYT combine and continue their passion for
yoga, pharmacy, nature cures, social work and
reiki, as well as travel to 16 countries. YogaCaps,
Inc. (yogacaps.org) is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to education and research on natural
and effective yogic health practices that are easy
to do and very affordable.