Neti In Yoga

Neti In Yoga

Neti in yoga is a technique or method of cleansing body air passages in the head. This is an important part of Hindu shatkarma or yogic practice of cleansing body. The Hatha Yoga attributes many benefits to this practice; mainly physiological ones on the body and mind. There are two techniques of the neti in yoga - Jal Neti and Sutra Neti (using string).



Neti yoga for the nasal wash is all about the nostrils, which filter, clean and wash the air you inhale. Yogis indicate breathing through the nose is better than doing so by mouth. The sensitive lining in nostrils is releasing mucus, trapping all dust and unwanted particles when it is moist. This mucus has antibodies protecting from infection or irritation from foreign materials and organisms. All these processes and nasal organization in the human body is an important part of human constitution. An average human being inhales almost 20,000 times in a day. This nasal wash clears and washes away all dirt, dried mucus, while stimulating the nasal linings to secrete fresh, moist mucus, which in turn keeps the nose and nasal processes healthy.

Neti wash works in a simple manner. The nose is divided into two passages with a septum in between. Water is poured into one side of the nostril, due to gravity the water falls down from the other side around the back of septum. This nasal wash is being practiced as a custom in the Hindu religion for centuries. This practice is expected to get rid of individual’s addiction to tobacco and alcohol, for curbing or alleviating mood swings and according to yoga it washes away more than one - sixth of all human complaints. Yoga in ancient India and to this day prescribes the same process for nasal wash, while the benefits of the practice are many. It leaves a positive health benefit to the head and other organs. This practice is expected to strengthen eyesight and relieve tired eyes. It relieves the mind of headaches, improving concentration and memory as well. It has a proven effect on relieving or easing hay fever and pollen allergies as well as treatment is effective against cold and sinusitis.

The other practice of the Neti yoga is the Sutra Neti. This practice of the Sutra Neti must be undertaken with an instructor as it needs guidance in the beginning. It is practiced in the beginning of the day in the morning, using a length of thread through the nose. A specially made thread is used; this thread is made from cotton, tightly wound together and then wiped with melted beeswax. The width is to be 4 mm and length about 36 cm. As with the Jala Neti this cleansing of the nose is also similar and has a number of benefits. This technique allows removing dirt and other unwanted material from the nasal tract. It desensitizes all the sensitive tissues inside the nose, which is beneficial in alleviating diseases like rhinitis, allergies and some types of asthma. Several other health problems can also be medicated with the help of neti like sinusitis, migraine and headaches.

Yoga undoubtedly is an ancient Indian heritage which has become accepted worldwide for therapeutic and other health benefits. It has been proven to have numerous benefits in psychosomatic disorders and is proven preventive healthcare method or technique which even children can follow with ease. From this and other scientific advances many studies have proved that Neti Yoga has benefits in diseases treatment, while also there are numerous side benefits in quality of life and a healthy well being.

References

• Bhavnani, A B Dr. Scientific Basis for some yoga practices in sinusitis, International centre for Yoga education and research.
• Neti - nasal cleansing, www.yogamag.net, May 1991