Neti - nasal
and sinus washing
Yogi Shakti Das
Neti is used to cleanse the entire area above the chest.
Classically there are two types, jala (water) neti and vastra or sutra (string) neti . Jala
neti is especially designed to clean out irritants
in the nose and upper pharynx and to rehydrate and moisten
the delicate goblet and ciliated cells of the nasal passageway,
while sutra neti is a great stimulant of the
nerves in the sinus, nose, ears, eyes, and throat greatly
relieving congestion and stagnant mucous conditions of
the sinus, eyes, ears, throat, and head. Sutra neti being
more stimulating is best done in the daytime or morning.
It works on the ajna and crown chakras and
is beneficial for success in pranayama .
The Anatomy and Function of the Nose
The function of the nose is to warm, filter, moisten,
clean, and smell the air, testing for any noxious materials
or danger (such as fire) and/or giving us vital information
about food, herbs, plants, weather, people, or other animals.
These functions can be drastically altered during colds,
sinus congestion, illness, stress, excessive dry weather
or cold weather, the presence of environmental toxins,
poor diet, extreme weather, grief, etc. When the function
of the nose is compromised, the risk of contracting other
disease is greater.
Yogis have claimed for centuries that by treating the
nose diseases of the eyes, ears, sinus, throat and head
can be strongly and positively affected. The yogis also
developed a tremendously intricate science called swara
yoga , based on the fact that the characteristics
of the breath at the nostrils (called swaras )
are powerful channels of both bodily and cosmic information,
the left swara corresponding to the Ida psychic
nerve and the right swara to the pingala nerve.
Paying attention to and manipulating the dominant swara and
its subtle shapes and characteristics becomes both a portal
of great information and a means of success for the swara
yogi , whose science depends upon the healthy functioning
of the nose. It is here at the top of the throat where
the powerful sensory organs of the ears, nose, eyes, and
tongue come together.
In a normally functioning nose, the air is moistened,
warmed, filtered, cleansed, smelled, and analyzed as it
travels smoothly and otherwise relatively unimpeded to
the very back of the two nasal passageways at the posterior
nasal apertures called the choanae. Here the many left
and right nerves of the cranium can be accessed such as
the olfactory, the ethmoid, the nasopallatine, etc. At
this special point the ethmoid, bony palate, maxillary,
lacrimal, vomer, and sphenoid all are immediately accessed.
Not coincidentally but rather synchronistically at the
back aperture of the nose, there exist two valves which
allow the air to enter into the back of the upper throat
(pharynx) above and behind the soft palate. From here the
air goes down the pharynx where it eventually enters into
the larynx through the opening at the epiglottis and from
there to the lungs. When one or both nostrils appear to
be clogged or impeded it is most always often due to the
swollen condition of these two valves at the back of the
nasal passageway. Indeed the condition of these two valves
both modulate our breathing and provide valuable information
about our body, nervous system, mind, emotions, health,
and inter-relationships with the outside world.
The openings of the nose (nostrils) of which we are most
familiar are called the nares. The two long narrow passageways
(the nasal septum) that connect them to the back of the
upper throat (pharynx) are lined with very sensitive specialized
ciliated (hair like) tissues which move in wavelike motions
moving the mucous generated by the goblet cells (which
create approximately one pint of mucous per day) providing
cleansing lubrication for this specialized function.
A healthy condition of mucous to provide the optimum moisture
to the incoming air and its optimum filtering function
should be not too dry (crusty) or too thick (clogging the
sinus drainage) or disrupting the pressure balances in
the ears or eyes on one hand, or too thin and watery on
the other hand (usually as a toxic reaction in a cathartic
attempt to cleanse the region creating post nasal drip).
The healthy colour of the nasal mucous is clear, but in
various altered conditions and dysfunction it can be white,
yellow, green, blue, black, grey, or red. This very vital
region should be kept clean, non-irritated, open, decongested,
and tonified while the powerful sensory and motor nerves
to this area must be neither over stimulated, deadened,
nor imbalanced.
In addition to the pharynx at the end of the long narrow
nasal passageway (the nasal septum), the Eustachian tubes
leading to each ear are found. Further in toward the front
nostrils and on both lateral walls of the nose, we also
find the two openings of the tear duct, which is why when
people cry they need to blow their nose, and conversely
why when we inhale a pungent smell like pepper or onions
the eyes tear. Also it is also in these two nasal septi
that we find the openings to all the sinuses (which are
also lined with goblet and ciliated tissues). This is why
the nasal area is called Sapta-patha in Sanskrit i.e.,
the seven paths (bilateral openings to the ears, eyes,
sinuses, and the unilateral opening to the throat). The
nerves and tissues are specially designed to provide us
with our sense of smell are located in the superior part
of the nasal septum.
The function of the sinuses and other specialized ducts,
receptor sites, tissues, glands, and nerves (such as the
nervis terminalis which terminate widely in the nasal cavity)
are not yet understood by modern scientists but were well
known to the ancient yogis. Any blockage in these openings
can adversely affect the harmonious healthy draining, pressures
and inter-relationships in and between these important
organs. Indeed, we find that neti has been used
for millennia to positively affect the health and psychic
development of this entire region.
When the irritants of the nose and sinuses are removed
the air passageways reflexively relax and open, no longer
sensing potential toxins, irritants, or toxins. When the
nasal passage ways are re-sensitized we can notice the
subtler characteristics of the air as it passes through
the septum. For example. is the air moving in a clockwise
gyre or counter clockwise helix? What are the other characteristics
of the swirling and spiral pressures and vectors that are
involved? What is the song and/or mantra of the breath?
How does the mind and emotions come into deeper contact
and partnership with it? This investigation is not just
to help us focus, but is the beginning of an advanced psycho-physical
practice called swara yoga.
Jala Neti - Nasal Water Cleansing Technique
This is a simple washing of the nasal septi by slightly
saline water made by adding approximately 1/4 teaspoon
of pure salt to a cup of warm water. If the salt is very
coarse you might need to use as much as 1/2 teaspoon. If
this is done at an optimum ration, not only will there
be absolutely no burning in the nose, but rather on the
contrary the salted water will be experienced as very soothing
and pleasurable. If the water temperature is too cold,
it will contribute to congestion as the tissues in the
nose swell, but if it is too hot it will irritate the mucous
membrane linings. Thus the best temperature is between
70-100 degrees F, the closer to body temperature the better.
Traditional Jala Neti is done with a special neti pot,
of which a common garden watering pot can work if the inside
diameter of the opening is not larger than the outside
of the nostrils. Again make up your saline solution as
before and place your head over the basin or sink (if indoors)
with the chin slightly tucked in and to one side. Point
the expelling nose down and forward while placing the spigot
of the neti pot into the up-most nostril. Slowly
tilt the neti pot into the raised nostril allowing
the water to flow out of the bottom nostril. If nothing
happens make sure that the bottom nostril is tilted slightly
forward and downward so that gravity will force the water
into the basin. Use one cup to bathe one side and then
switch to the other side. If you are doing both netis ,
do jala neti after sutra neti.
NB. After jala neti it is best to do rapid bhastrika
pranayama (also called breath of fire or bellows
breath) in order to try out the area (especially in winter
or damp climates).
Jala Neti Stage 2 (Brief description only)
The second stage of Jala Neti is actually called Vyutkrama
Kapalbhati , or sinus bellowing. It's a more advanced
and powerful practice, hence one should master the simpler
version of Stage 1 first. This stage of Neti should be
supervised by a teacher on your first few attempts.
Whilst the water is running through from one nostril to
the other, it is sniffed backwards and spat out of the
mouth. Although not dangerous. one should not swallow any
water when sniffing backwards. When doing Vyutkrama
Kapalbhati , first one potful of water is done as
per the Stage 1 version and then a second potful is done
in this more advanced way. In this case, it is not necessary
to dry the nose fully between Stages 1 and 2. Extra care
must be taken to dry the nose fully after Stage 2, as more
water floods the nasal passages and may cause irritation
for some time if not completely dried out. Vyutkrama
Kapalbhati Neti works more on clearing out the posterior
sinus passages which Stage 1 does not reach and is even
more effective than Stage 1 for post nasal drip, sinusitis,
snoring, chronic catarrh, thyroid imbalances, coughs and
throat problems.
Jala Neti Stage 3 (Brief description only)
The third stage or method is a little more difficult and
advanced again. This is called Sheetkrama Kapalbhati . Here
the warm salty water is taken in through the mouth and
snorted out the nose. This is quite tricky and may be a
little uncomfortable in the beginning. The benefits are
similar yet stronger than the other forms of Neti .
It is done after a potful of Stages 1 & 2. Again care
must be taken to dry the nasal passages properly, and again,
this stage of Neti should be supervised by your
teacher on the first few attempts.
Dugdha Neti - Neti with Milk
Using milk in the Neti pot, pre-warmed to body
temperature, this method is suitable for those who may
suffer chronic nose bleeds or those who initially find
intense irritation from the use of salty water. Milk Neti can
be done in cases such as where airborne chemicals or particles
have already stripped and/or irritated the nasal lining,
for instance after sanding plaster or fibreglass. It is
best done after a normal pot of warm salty water of Stages
1 and 2. The milk does not need to flow through from one
side to the other for half a pot as in the water methods.
It only fills the ingoing nostril and is then withdrawn.
Once from each side is sufficient. Milk Neti should
not be done without qualified advice for your specific
problem and even then, it should not be done excessively.
Swamootra Neti - Neti using one's own Urine
The idea of pouring urine through your nose would be,
for nearly everybody, a very strange and disgusting concept.
Here we will not be dealing with the subject in any detail,
as this is a whole branch of yogic science, about which
there are more complete texts. The principle of Swamootra
Neti functions in the same way as that of Homoeopathy,
where "the ingestion of like cures like". The
daily by-products of body metabolism such as urine, have
within them tiny amounts of tell tale substances which
indicate the condition of the body's internal health. The
smell and taste of urine, when used in Swamootra Neti ,
is a method of bio-feedback to the brain, which stimulates
it to gradually reprogramme the body's metabolism towards
a better function with lesser toxic waste products. This
has a very potent healing effect on many illnesses. When
learning Swamootra Neti , there are certain dietary
guidelines which must be followed. To overcome any aversion
to urine, one is eased into acceptance of the practice,
by beginning with weak solutions and eventually moving
towards full strength urine.
Sutra or Vastra Neti - Nasal String Cleansing
Technique
Sutra Neti is also one of classic Shat Karmas
(Six Cleansing Activities) of ancient Hatha Yoga. Its benefits
are extolled by the great treatises on Hatha Yoga and Yoga
Hygiene as an important synergist in accelerating the yogic
process. Although water cleansing or bathing of the nasal
cavities mechanically removes dust, irritants, and impurities
from the nasal passages and is thus beneficially soothing, Sutra
Neti goes further in stimulating and tonifying the
nerves, glands, and organs of the entire nasal and cranial
area including the eyes, sinuses, ears, and cranium. For
centuries it has been a specific treatment in India for
sluggishness, sinus headaches, congestion, eye and ear
complaints, heaviness of the head, excess kapha (mucus),
lack of alertness, opening of the third eye, and the like.
Traditionally this kriya was performed with
hemp strings dipped in wax. However, today we use a soft
rubber catheter which is by far the easiest to slip through.
The only drawback however is it gives the least amount
of friction and stimulation. These one foot (30 cm) long
1/8" -- 3/16" (2-3 mm) thick catheters can be
cheaply obtained at any surgical supply or medical supply
store. They are also very easily cleaned.
Technique:
Before and after usage it is advisable to rinse the catheter
in warm water (or in specialized cases medicated oils).
In case of deviated septum. polyps, or other diseases of
the nose consult your physician or yoga therapist.
Insert the catheter very slowly, gently, and with conscious
feeling (non-mechanically) into and along the nasal cavity
floor, without any pain. The nasal cavity is like a long
cave which narrows at the roof and is widest at the floor,
thus keep the catheter pointed toward the back of the throat,
slightly downward, and slightly medial (inward) so that
it will smoothly slide through the widest passageway available
toward the back opening of the nose. The goal being that
it should pass easily and smoothly through the valve (swollen
lip) at the back of the nose (the choanae) into the upper
back of the throat (nasopharynx) near the Eustachian tubes,
then curling under the upper palate (roof of the mouth)
where it can be grabbed by the index and middle fingers
of the opposite hand (forming a tong-like appendage). For
maximum effect it is grabbed and gently rocked back and
forth a few times before it is pulled through and out the
mouth. It is not necessary to grab it as most of the work
is to massage the walls, roof, and floor and tonify the
nasal septum, sinus openings, tear ducts, the posterior
aperture, the area near the Eustachian tubes, nerves, and
glands of the entire region.
Under no circumstances should pain be experienced
during the insertion . If pain occurs, it is
a sign of going too fast, the catheter has become pointed
in the wrong direction, and/or is caught up against the
nasal wall, or some other obstruction exists. In this
case back off the pressure immediately and twist the
catheter in one direction or the other until you can
thread a clear unobstructed passage through the cave
is found. Soon this misty and mysterious dark cave will
become a bright and clear one. After basic awareness
of the nasal septum and posterior apertures are established
then feel free to explore the upper conchae and other
landmarks of the nose as well.
Also do not suppress the gag reflex. If you feel like
gagging when the catheter comes through the nose and hits
the back of the throat, that is normal. Back off the catheter
into the nose or, before the gag reflex is activated, just
breathe deeply with the string in place and relax the area.
When the body knows that it isn't going to suffocate it
will allow you to continue. Otherwise back off from the
throat and back through the valve. Simply going back and
forth through the valve of the nose, 99% of the benefit
can be had with no gag reflex. Consistent suppression of
the gag reflex will be counterproductive causing unwanted
tension in the throat.
Trouble shooting:
Some people have an exaggerated soft palate and an easily
triggered gag reflex that may make it difficult to grab
the catheter or stick anything near the throat. Try to
breathe smoothly and fully throughout. If the gag reflex
makes grabbing the catheter impossible, you should know
that it is not necessary to grab it with the fingers and
pull it back and forth through the nose. 99% of the benefit
is obtained by simply passing the catheter up to and through
this posterior nasal-throat valve while gently massaging
the nasal membranes which reflex back to the powerful group
of nerves which serve in common the entire cranium. For
some just the presence of the catheter in the back of the
throat let alone inserting the fingers to grab the end
of it easily triggers a gag reflex which after gentle and
loving practice of just simply going to the posterior aperture
and back out the nose will eliminate. The key is to go
gently, slowly, kinaesthetically, while breathing consciously
and fully. The entire procedure can take less than ten
seconds after proficiency has been attained.
Some people can perform this kriya completely
on the very first try, while others may take up to a month
or longer to master. At first allow at least 5 minutes
for the initial exploration with a good supply of tissues
handy, if a copious mucous flow is activated. Take your
time, very slowly and gently easing the catheter forward,
enjoying its' cleansing effects and always breathing deeply.
It is normal to feel tickled and to sneeze much at first
and to eliminate copious mucous from the sinus so have
handkerchiefs or tissues handy. As the mucous membranes,
nerves, glands, organs, and tissues of the nose, throat,
ears, eyes, sinuses, and cranium become tonified, stimulated,
invigorated and purified the body's reaction becomes less
dramatic.
Sutra Neti is one of the most powerful and beneficial,
yet one of the most simple, of the Hatha Yoga shat karmas.
It is best performed soon after rising in conjunction with
the rest of the morning cleansing activities.
Benefits:
Sutra neti is especially good before pranayama due
to frictional massage that strengthens the membranes enabling
them to work more efficiently in their function of warming,
cleaning, humidifying, and disinfecting the air. Also,
the blood supply to the nerves of the air passages is energized
enhancing the effects of any subsequent breath work. Due
to the opening effect in the nasal cavities, sutra
neti is useful in the treatment of respiratory infections
as well as the diseases of asthma and emphysema. In addition, sutra
neti excels in removing catarrh, snot, phlegm and kapha .
It stimulates the nerves and related brain functions of
the eyes, tear ducts. sinus, ears, and head. When the practice
is first started, there may be an increase in mucus production
as it catalyzes a catharsis, flushing out the secretory
glands and removing stagnation of the lymph, blood and
nerves. Resistance to infection is improved. Obviously, Sutra
neti also clears away dried up deposits and foreign
bodies by stimulating fluid to help the flushing process.
At a more subtle level, sutra neti stimulates
the ajna chakra .
Contra-indications & Cautions:
Anyone suffering from chronic nose bleeds, obstructions
of the nasal cavities, nasal ulcers, polyps or malformations
of the septum or turbinates should not practice this technique
unless under the guidance of a qualified yoga therapist.
