As purity of body encourages purity of mind, Yogis have developed the six cleansing techniques, or "Shad Kriyas", for purification of the physical body. Through these simple exercises, Nature is assisted in the elimination of waste products, any many mental and physical complaints are alleviated.
One of these cleansing techniques is Nasal Cleansing - Neti. Neti cleanses the nose, nasal passages, and sinus cavities. Practised daily, this easy hygienic exercise helps to counteract the effects of pollution, dust, and pollen. It is especially beneficial to people with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems.
- Add about half a teaspoon of salt to a neti pot full of sterile lukewarm water.
- Stand with the legs apart.
- Hold the neti pot in your right hand.
- Insert the nozzle of the Neti pot into the right nostril.
- Keep the mouth open and breathe freely through the mouth.
- Tilt the head first slightly backwards, then forwards and sidewards to the left so that the water from the pot enters the right nostril and comes out through the left by gravity. Allow the flow till the pot is empty.
- Repeat the same on the left side.
- To clear the nasal passages of the remaining water, blow out the water by active exhalation through alternate nostrils as in Kapalabhati breathing.
It helps to clear nasal passages. Removes cold, hypersensitivity, headache, sinusitis, bronchitis and stimulates olfactory nerves.
Neti should be avoid if you have had a recent ear infection or nasal septum operation. Also avoid neti for a few days after a bleeding nose.
Source from Yoga Mind & Body by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy for Positive Health by Dr R Nagarathna & Dr H R Nagendra