Matthew Cox's Website

Nose Bidet or Neti Pot? Which is it?

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:13:02 -0400

Nose bidet on Oprah? What's that? Well, for years these have actually been called neti pots but it seems Oprah has given it a new name that seems to stick. The term "nose bidet," as far as I know, did not exist before Oprah's show in April of 2007. This page is primarily a summary of what you'll find on my site regarding nasal irrigation. I first used a neti pot in 2002 and have since amassed a wealth of information related to the topic. Here is a list to get you started.

Neti pot info and resources

The first article I wrote about Neti pots - This is the story of how I first learned how to use a neti pot and it has a neti pot comparison and review of different neti pots. It also includes several resources to get you started including links to "how to" articles and where to buy neti pots.
The definitive Jala neti pot library and research collection. Republished with permission from the author of the original definitive neti pot website which is no longer online. This is the collection I relied on heavily when I first got started.
How to make the saline solution for nasal irrigation. This includes a few extra steps than you usually find on websites. You may find it particularly helpful if it stung the first time you used your neti pot. This is the article I wish I had read before I first tried nasal irrigation.
A review of Warren Jefferson's book, The Neti Pot for Better Health This is the a wonderful little book to help get a grasp at what you may actually accomplish using a neti pot.
Fun with neti
or just check out my entire collection of articles on neti pots.

If you had heard the term "nose bidet" used before Oprah's show, please let me know so that I can correct this information. This also may have made research for those new to this practice of nasal irrigation a little tricky since many of the really informative sites on neti pots and their usage don't ever mention the term "nose bidet". Even worse, most sinus sufferers looking for relief and those who learned of the bidets on Oprah may not have even known how to spell it. Even "jala neti" or "jal neti" is so obscure that most people don't know how to spell it for internet search purposes.

For that reason I'm including common misspellings at the end of this article in the hopes that search engines might be able to direct these people to the jala neti information I have painstakingly assembled here over the years.

Also, feel free to contact me if you have any questions as I know I had a lot when I first started nasal irrigation. It may seem weird to pour saline through your nasal passages but for the many allergy and post nasal drip sufferers, it is a godsend once you get the hang of it.

Good luck on your journey!

-Matthew

For the list of common misspellings, read the rest of this article.

Some common "Nose bidet" mispellings.

Nose biday
Nose bidai
Nose bidae
Nose bidey
Nose baday
Nose badai
Nose badae
Nose badey
Nose beday
Nose bedai
Nose bedae
Nose bedey

Some other common misspelled related search terms and variations

nedi
nedi pot
nedi pots
netty
netty pot
netty pots
nety
nety pot
nety pots
netti
netti pot
netti pots
nitty
nitty pot
nitty pots
nose irigation
nasal irigation
nose iragation
nose irragation
nasal iragation
nasal irragation

So Dr. Oz made using a neti pot or "nose bidet" look easy on Oprah

Wed, 09 May 2007 01:08:00 -0400

So you watched Dr. Oz and an audience participant demonstrate using a neti pot or "nose bidet" on the Oprah Winfrey show, you got your own neti pot, tried to reproduce the results, and eeeeeeoooooowwwww! Boy they made it look easy!

Well don't throw away your neti pot just yet. Successful nose irrigation is still within your reach. You may have overlooked some simple points that would have made it work better for you. My first couple of tries were very similar and as a result, my neti pot collected dust for the next three years until one of my yoga teachers encouraged me to try again and I was able to overcome my fear. Since then, I've learned several tips for making it go well the first time. If you haven't already tried nasal irrigation, apply the information in this article to the instructions you already have to insure your first experience is a good one.

What I found is that it is absolutely crucial to get the water/saline solution just right. The technique and all other steps seem to be much more forgiving. Dr. Oz mentioned regular water can irritate the nose. But let's get more specific. Why?

Tap water has chlorine and flouride and depending on where you live, these levels can be particularly strong. Solution: Use filtered water.
Salt levels cause stinging. Your nose has a natural defense mechanism to remove what doesn't belong. Why use salt in the first place? Because when mixed properly to match the salinity of the blood (0.9%) your nose welcomes it. Again, why you ask? Think of a bloody nose. As much as we prefer not to have bloody noses, when they occur they naturally serve to moisturize and cleanse a dry and infected area. The saline solution achieves the same thing before things get that bad. Of course, another benefit to nasal irrigation is that if you do it regularly you not only get sinus relief but the crusty boogers don't get a chance to form. And for me, that meant with the neti pot I had put an end to my chronic nose picking habits. And people wonder why they always have nasal infections and bloody noses when they're always sticking their dirty fingers up their nose! See the connection? My apologies. Back to the salinity issue.
Solution (Part 1): Measure the right amount. Add 3/4 teaspoon to 16 oz. of water or 4.5mL salt to 500mL water. If you want to be more exact, start by putting the salt in the measuring cup first and then fill the water up to the 16 oz or 500mL mark. This should give you enough solution to do both nostrils. Please Note: You will find many different measurements provided in instructions both online and even packaged with neti pots. The measurements I have provided are precise to the 0.9% salinity that matches that of blood. This is considered an isotonic solution. Other percentages, particularly hypertonic solutions containing more salt, can work and do have their uses but start with this ratio as it is most comfortable and suitable for daily use.
Solution (Part 2): Use the right kind of salt. You can use non-iodized salt or specially prepared neti salt found in health food stores or even pharmacies.
Temperature. The body has a natural drowning response to cooler temperature waters. Even filtered cool water without salt can sting or cause pain which is a natural reaction the body has for self preservation. Of course, water that is too hot will easily burn the thin mucous membranes of the nasal cavity.
Solution: Heat the water to body temperature(give or take a few degrees). By matching the temperature, you've done the last step to making sure your nose doesn't rebel. Test method 1: One simple way to test the solution is to take a sip of it and swish it around your mouth. If it's soothing, most likely it will be fine for your nose too. If it makes you pucker, it's too salty.
Test method 2: One method I've used for teaching people is to actually use an electric thermometer to check the temperature before using the solution. I've found that anywhere between 96 - 102 degrees F is comfortable. Using this method has worked every time I tried to teach someone. I used up to 106 degrees but for your first time don't push it. Once you've got the hang of neti, your nose will become a little more forgiving on the temperature.

I'm so happy for you to have discovered this wonderful tool and that it can be featured on such a popular TV show. Thank you Dr. Oz and Oprah for getting this out to all the sinus sufferers out there.

Good luck and happy neti potting!

Most Hilarious Instructional Jala Neti Pot Video Ever!

Sat, 05 May 2007 17:27:20 -0400

Okay, using the neti pot has done wonders for my sinuses over the years but sometimes I forget how fun it can be, especially in the process of sharing it with others. This video I found is different from all those serious instructional jala neti pot videos where the person seems unnaturally calm and serious.

Click on the "read more" link to see this funny instructional jala neti pot video.

If you're looking for a serious instructional video, I highly recommend the jala neti video cdrom from health and yoga. It's where I got started and also gives the best demonstration of Stage 2 Jala Neti that I have found.

Warning! This video is pretty gross and has a lot of snot. If that's okay, enjoy!

Faith vs. Belief

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:31:41 -0400

This morning when I woke up I felt drawn to meditate on the difference between faith and belief. I was quickly reminded of the "message" I got from my first vision quest experience.

It simply stated that:

"Faith increases as the demons of the mind decrease as well as the ability to see things as they actually are".

Well today I had an expansion on that statement.

"What is the difference between belief and faith? Only when there is faith is there no fear."

When we experience faith, the mind is free from worry and we find a deep peace. Whereas, when we believe strongly in anything, religion or ideal, there is still a sense of fear that we may be wrong. Our minds churn desperately to prove our beliefs.

When there is faith, our mind comes to rest. When it is only belief, our mind goes to work. This is where meditation comes in handy.

So many people wonder how to increase their faith. I know I used to think that faith was increased by praying a lot; asking God for help so I could offer God a chance to answer and therefore make a "believer" of me. Notice the word "believer". That method only got my mind to race wondering whether or not God would give me what I asked. It only encouraged doubt and fear. And then I would get mad at myself when prayers went unanswered thinking I wasn't worthy. Or worse, I might get angry at God and then of course, question God's existence altogether.

And when you no longer believe in God, then what's left to put your faith in? In the moment you discover faith, you experience God.

The Neti Pot for Better Health by Warren Jefferson (book review)

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 14:49:00 -0400

This book puts together a lot of good research on the topic of not only nasal irrigation but also the general function and anatomy of the nasal region of the head. As a regular practitioner of Jala Neti, I take for granted how easy it is for me so I can't say whether it would be a good guide for learning how to do neti on ones own but for yoga teachers it is extremely useful. This book was able to put together some very useful information for teaching Jala Neti. This book may also be of interest to physicians looking for ways to introduce patients to SNI (saline nasal irrigation). This is partly because of its more generic or universal presentation. It's more of a "Neti, it's not just for yogis anymore" approach unlike David Frawley's book which is much more thorough in its yogic and ayurvedic treatise. When I got the book I thought it would be redundant with Frawley's book but actually found it to complement the book quite well.

Some of my favorite sections included the sections "anatomy of the nose", "nose blowing and sinusitis", and "yoga cleansing techniques from Hatha Yoga Pradipika".

The anatomy section helped me understand the geography of my head better than any other Neti resource I've come across. Having the anatomy information along with the nose blowing caution helped me understand why you don't want to blow your nose hard. All other neti resources I've read would caution you but did not do a very good job of explaining why. Also, the reference to the Swedish study on humming and sinuses led me to an interesting experience of using "om" to clear my sinuses. Nice!

Finally, his presentation on the yogic applications and references to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, though brief, were execellent in pointing yogis towards further in depth studies and resources without overwhelming or scaring the non-yogi away from the wonderful practice of Jala Neti.

So in summary, this book is a great reference for yogis, yoga teachers, physicians, and anyone (yogi or not) with nasal and sinus problems. You might also find it useful if you do Jala Neti and have a hard time explaining to your friends why.

Note to people wishing to learn Jala Neti: Finding someone to teach you in person is still the best way to learn Jala Neti with Health & Yoga's instructional video coming in a close second place.

For more information regarding Jala Neti please see my other articles:

Stainless steel Jala Neti pot review & comparison to the ceramic Neti pot
Jala Neti Pot Research Library

Jala Neti Pot Research Library Revived

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 20:43:58 -0400

Well if you know me then you know how much I believe in the benefitsof the Jala Neti Pot. So I'm excited to share that I have obtained andrepublished one of the best collections of articles and instructionsfor this ancient form of nasal irrigation from a website that no longerexists. It is by far one of the most extensive sources I know ofregarding this subject and it includes not only research but detailedinstructions and explanations. Thank you Swami Saraswati and Dr. SteveRabone for your wonderful contributions!

You can now find this wonderful resource here.

Jala Neti Pot Research Library

Though it's not as scholarly, don't miss my own comparison of the Ceramic vs. Stainless Steel Neti Pot.

The Serenity Prayer

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 13:19:00 -0500

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Love and Happiness

Sun, 11 Sep 2005 22:46:00 -0400

May I feel love for all beings. And when others do not return love, may I have compassion for them. May I always recognize the ability to love even a single being as infinitely more precious than being loved. May I always remember that my happiness is immeasurable and unshakable when I allow myself to truly love while my happiness gained by any other means will be easily lost. May my heart always be full yet overflowing. May those who feel isolated and lonely feel comfort from any love I have to share. May I ever strive to feel a kinship to all living beings. May my spiritual path always be measured by the amount of love I have for all beings. And if I see that my choices and actions lead to a decrease in this love, may I quickly redirect myself to the path which opens the heart again. May I always recognize when I withold love for others and thus quickly release and give it to them. May my love always be guided by a force of wisdom which transforms that love into what is most needed by those I love. And if that wisdom is not present may I quickly attain it. And if the wisdom is not readily apparent, please shower grace on me that I may not be discouraged and continue to seek to be a source of love. This is my happiness.

Bob Moog's body leaves us

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 08:25:00 -0400

As it said on the moogmusic.com home page as of this writing, Bob Moog's body has left us. But his wonderful creative mind will forever remain in the world of music he so greatly influenced.

Ironically, he wasn't a musician. He was an instrument maker. More specifically, an electronic instrument maker. He was the first person to design and produce synthesizers that were portable, affordable, and otherwise widely accessible to all musicians thus revolutionizing the world of music. He made it possible to literally make sounds that were out of this world.

When I began studying electronic music in high school, I was quickly made aware of his contributions. To my surprise and delight, I discovered that he had retired to an area outside of Asheville, NC only a 3 hour drive away from where I lived and he was teaching at UNCA. When it came time, I applied to UNCA and was accepted. Thus I had the great fortune of studying with him in 1991-92, his last year teaching there.

Through that experience I discovered that he was much more than an engineer. He was truly a delight to be with. He approached the world of sound with a sense of awe and discovery of a child. I remember when we got a new Kurzweil 2000 for the lab and we were setting it up. We played with it for about 5-10 minutes and then he turned it off. Why you ask?... Because he just had to take off the cover and see what was under the hood! All the while with the look of an eager child who has just dissected his first TV.

And though he had a background of logic and engineering he had a deep regard for the affection a musician has for their instruments and the spiritual connection it implies. I remember him talking about a recent visit he had from a reporter at the time. The reporter had brought one of the very first portable DAT recorders(a TASCAM I believe) to record the interview. When he was setting up the reporter dropped it and in great grief found that it no longer worked. So he conducted the interview without it. Then, while packing up the reporter again accidentally dropped it onto the floor. Out of curiosity, they tried using it and it worked. Bob then described with great amusement that moment as "the ultimate love tap". I will never beat a piece of equipment again without thinking of him and his love taps.

He also truly had a fascination with what musicians could do with an instrument no matter what their skill was. He seemed to recognize the infinite possibilities and saw each musician as the potential next creator of something fantastic. At least that's how he seemed to me.

Bob Moog showed a continued passion for life that I have rarely seen in others that to this day inspires me. I remember his talk on the first day of class with him so vividly. He said, "I am not going to teach you how to use a piece of equipment because it is technology, and technology is ever changing and inevitably will become obsolete. Instead, I want to teach you what I do. Read the manuals cover to cover for any new piece of equipment you get and try every feature... My goal is to teach you to teach yourself".

While that may sound like something a lazy professor might say he was still available to us in every way and supported our projects and research with his own insights and enthusiasm. He basically asked us what we wanted to achieve and said "okay, I'll do what I can to help you get there". He was extremely generous in this way.

Although I went completely acoustic with my music a few years later and for awhile even stopped playing, his teachings still inspired my everyday living. As with two of my other life changing mentors, Ed Littlefox and Tom Brown, Jr., he taught me to be a student of life, to never give up the learning process, and to be humble to the infinite possibilities.

Dr. Moog, may your passing take you to the grandest realms of music. I will cherish our time together always.

Outfoxed! (or how an animal made a fool of me)

Mon, 08 Aug 2005 23:56:00 -0400

During the mid 90's I spent most of my time in the woods learning primitive skills, tracking, and about nature in general. It was on one winter night that I had a particularly amusing event involving a fox. I had gone to Hanging Rock State Park in January and setup camp in the public campground. On that evening I had the entire campground to myself, well mostly... You see, it was a cold clear night with a 3/4 moon shining brightly and since the trees had no leaves it was fairly easy to see the ground, but not easy enough. As I was making my dinner, I noticed the shadowy figure of a fox making the rounds from one campsite to the next looking for scraps. Eventually he made it to the edge of my campsite sniffing the air as he passed through the outskirts to see what kind of food I had. Keeping just out of the light of the fire he quickly moved along. Since I had an interest in tracking, I immediately went to check to see if I could make out his tracks and mark the trail so that I could follow them in the morning. Well as I said the moon wasn't enough. The area I saw him pass through was hard packed dirt and rock that didn't lend to an easy track sighting. So I went back to cooking my dinner kind of dissappointed. Maybe I'd find his trail in the daylight but even then I knew finding the first print was going to be difficult. My dinner was done (nothing fancy, I just heated up a can of beenie weenies I think) so I ate my dinner and continued to enjoy the beautiful night sky. But as I was eating I noticed the shadowy outline of the fox again. Apparently, he had made a complete circle because he was going along the same path that I saw him earlier. Maybe he was coming to see if I had finished and had any scraps yet. I thought to myself, "I can place the empty can for him to lick right in the middle of some soft soil so that I can get a good first track to follow". But I realized that the sharp edges of the can left by the can opener could cut his mouth or tongue so I just watched him as closely as I could to try and mark with my eyes at least one place where he stepped. Again, he came to the same outer edge of my fire cautiously glancing towards me as he quickly passed through my campsite. Once more, I went over to try and see if I could find a track. Sadly, I'm nowhere near as good as my teacher and found myself at a loss again. I figured there was good chance he would come back again since he had already repeated his path once. I was going to be ready for him the next time. I finished eating my dinner out of the metal cook pot I had and placed in a patch of soft soil that would be close to the path he had used knowing that his keen fox smell wouldn't let him pass it unnoticed. There he would lick my bowl clean and surely leave a formidable first track for me to start my trail in the morning. So I waited there under the clear moonlit sky. What a wonderful evening. About 10 minutes went by as I looked in the direction he had come from before. Sure enough, I saw the moonlight catch his fur as he darted this way and that making his way back to my campsite. This time when he reached the edge of my site he stopped. Though it was probably only a split second it seemed as time came to a stop. I could see in that split second his eyes get a full survey of the scene. First the yummy food coated pot, then the human 10 feet away watching his every move. I was so excited and knew I was about to get my track. Little did I know or could have predicted what his next move was going to be. In one blazingly swift move he leapt into the air to pounce my pot and in one continuous movement pick the pot up in his mouth and run off into the woods. Clang kiClang Clang Clangity Clang my pot went off into the night as I hit my palm to my forehead with a good "Doh!" How silly of me to think he would just casually lick my pot in front of me and leave. I had asked for a tracking lesson and I got more than I bargained for. Now I was going to have to track down my pot in the morning and who knows how far he ran with it. Up until that point in my life I had hardly followed a trail of a fox more than 15 feet because it was so tedious because of their soft stepping. I usually had to take about 20 minutes a track before I could distiguish the subtle outline on most surfaces except for mud which is easiet for least common. The next morning I got up and began the task of tracking down my pot. My wish had been granted and I was easily able to make out his first 3 tracks. But then...his tracks lead to a flat rock surface. Now my teacher, Tom Brown, Jr. had taught me the necessary skills to follow tracks across rocks and pavement by looking for flattened pieces of dust that would reflect light differently but I had only tracked about 10 steps under this tedious difficulty in the past. But this time I couldn't quit because I needed my pot. Over the next three hours I made my way off the mountain top down into the valley following his trail. It was neat to see places where the pot had hit the ground and even chip a small rock leaving a whitish scuff mark. Finally, I looked up from a track in the direction he was headed and saw my pot on the other side of a mountain laurel bush. In the end, he had probably carried it about 100 yards across a mostly rock landscape. I just wanted a track for a short trail to follow, maybe ten steps or so, because I was a lazy tracker when it comes to rocky terrain. But there was no room for a slacker on this day as the joke was on me. I had been outfoxed!

Jnana or Bhakti?

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 21:53:00 -0400

Delightful moments around Amma

A Jnani or a Bhakta?
A couple of friends (Chitra and Jayashree) were having a discussionthat slowly progressed into an argument. One of them believed in thepath of knowledge while the other was a supporter of devotion. It wasthe jnani vs the bhakta.

The jnani argued that "maya" or delusion attacks even an advancedspiritual aspirant causing him to fall away from the path. In responsethe bhakta said that a person on the path of devotion, because of theirattitude, will have less trials and tribulations. For example, sheargued, the devotee holds on to God helplessly always think you areeverything and I am nothing whereas the jnani has the belief thateverything is within me. For the bhakta, the attitude that "I amnothing" will eventually result in the ego being wiped out, but for thejnani, since he believes that "I am the Self", at every step, thechances of developing the ego are more. The path of the Jnani is morearduous since every trace of ego has to drop before the goal can bereached. To get there, the Jnani's ego will receive a lot of blows andhe has to walk on the path with the sole strength of his dedication.

The jnani however was not satisfied. "You mean to say that Godfavors a bhakta more than a jnani. Impossible," she said. Defiantly thebhakta said, " When I get a chance I will ask Amma".

Sure enough, Amma gave her an opportunity that same day.

After explaining the details the bhakta asked, "Amma can you givethe verdict for this argument?" Amma simply smiled at first andcontinued with her darshan. She then turned to the bhakta and said,"God is not partial and showers His grace equally on all. A jnani islike a child who sits on the floor drinking milk from the bottle. Abhakta is like a child who sits on his mother.s lap and feeds on hermilk. The mother has to hold this child from falling off the lap". Thebhakta smiled interpreting Amma's words to be in favor of her argument.But Amma continued, "the mother will still watch over her child sittingon the floor with the same amount of care and attention".

What is yoga?

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 10:33:00 -0400

I thought it would be nice to share what yoga means to me. The following is what I wrote for my yoga teacher's training on my test. It has not been through any revisions so please forgive me if it seems like it just came out of the top of my head because it did. Or maybe, just maybe it was from the bottom of my heart. :)

It also outlines an ideal that I must admit I am a long way from living 100%.

What is yoga?

Yoga evolved from the ancient science originating in India of exploring the human body, heart, and mind to develop tools for attaining a sense of union with God or the divine. Although most people think of poses, contortions, and otherwise deep stretching, this is only the tip of the ice berg. In fact, there are many yogic traditions and techniques that may never involve what some people know as "Sun Salutations".

In truth, yoga is anything that brings you closer to God whether it is prayer, singing, dancing, helping at a homeless shelter, meditating, or giving someone a hug. And a true yogi is a person who attempts to make every aspect and action of their life a means to that goal.

Hatha yoga, the form of yoga that many people in the general public are aware of, is only one starting place for this path. By going to a class and doing asanas (the names of the yoga poses), breathing and maybe chanting, a person becomes more aware of their own body and mind. Out of this awareness the student develops the ability to see firsthand what actions and thoughts lead them towards peace or towards suffering.

Paying attention to how holding a certain posture opens up the chest and lungs makes breathing easier and in turn providing more vitality and oxygen to the brain. Then the student notices a chain reaction. Because breathing becomes easier, more energy is available to do things like smile at a neighbor or let someone jump in front of you at the checkout line.

By bringing love into ones heart and peace to the mind a yogi is able to accomplish great changes in the world by starting within. Thus doing as Mahatma Gandhi instructed, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

That...is yoga.

The Four Immeasurables

Wed, 25 May 2005 09:48:00 -0400

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.

May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

May all beings have the happiness that is free from sorrow.

May all beings abide in equanimity, free from attachement and aversion which holds some close and others distant.

-Buddhist prayer to develop "The Four Immeasurables", Love, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity.

Stainless steel Neti pot review & comparison to the ceramic Neti pot

Sun, 22 May 2005 08:39:00 -0400

If you already know what a neti pot is you may want to just skip to the actual Jala neti pot review and comparison at the end of this article. For those of you who don't know or if you do and just want to read about my own story of how neti came into my life then keep reading.

So what is a "Jala Neti pot", you ask. Well, it's become one of my new best friends. I was given one in 2002 and told it would help with my post nasal drip or sinusitis problem. It is a method of nasal irrigation or nasal lavage that has been around for centuries and helps clear the sinuses, nasal passages, and even improve vision(I'll explain this one later).

It's a pretty simple concept. The neti pot looks like a little teapot. You prepare a salt water aka saline solution and heat to body temperature. Then, by placing the spout in one nostril and tilting the head with the spout staying in the upper nostril, begin pouring the saline solution. Gravity then takes the water inside and down to the lower nostril and out.

Well the first time I tried it, I heated the water too hot and the second time I put too much salt in the water so both times it was very uncomfortable. So my neti pot sat on the shelf for 3 years until this past January. With the encouragement of one of my yoga teachers, Kaoverii, I decided to give it another try.

This time I got better instructions from my teacher and the web on how to prepare the salt water solution for neti and I finally had success. WOW! What a difference. I was able to breathe through both nostrils with ease. Inhaling felt like I was tasting an exquisite dinner except I wasn't eating food, I was inhaling the vibrant air around me. I actually went around smelling things just for the shear pleasure of it. And to my surprise, no one had mentioned to me that it also cleaned the tear ducts. Using the neti pot seemed to also wash a milky grey layer off my eyes so that colors seemed more vibrant and vivid. And to top it all off, I found myself naturally wanting to breathe deeper and in turn I felt more relaxed and energized throughout the day.

After one month of daily use just once in the morning my post nasal drip became almost non-existent. I no longer have to check to make sure I have tissue with me before I go out the door and I don't feel the need to drink water with lemon all the time(which was my way of clearing out the back of my throat of mucous). It also put an end to my sometimes excessive nose picking (I confess :).

And when a wave of flu/cold hit, all my friends were sick for 10 days or more. I was free and clear by the third day and I never got congested. I just dealt with the fever and lightheadedness.

I quickly adopted my neti pot as an important part of my morning ritual alongside brushing my teeth. Also, like brushing my teeth, I can hardly stand having to go more than a few days without it. Thus was the case when I went on a yoga retreat in the Joshua Tree desert in California. Unfortunately, I didn't take my neti pot with me because it was ceramic and I was worried it would break while I traveled. After the third day I could hardly stand it anymore. My sinuses were so dry and full of dust and campfire soot I had to do something.

As you can see from the picture at left, I found a temporary solution. Yep, I just took a water bottle that had a pull-top. Worked like a charm. In fact, in some ways it was almost more effective but a more experienced yogi will probably tell you that there is a danger of getting water where it shouldn't go. This is why I'll add that you should only give a very light squeeze to the bottle. Because of the vacuum created in the bottle, one nice side effect is that it creates a bubbling in the nose when the bottle is trying to draw back in. This bubbling gently agitates the nasal passages to loosen and remove some of the more stubborn particles. I only needed about 2 oz. of water per side as opposed to 8 or more required of a neti pot. Lastly, I didn't have to do much in the way of heating the water because it was already warm enough from sitting out in the sun. If you've never done neti and are tempted to try the water bottle I highly urge you to get some proper instructions from a yoga teacher or at least read the instructions at the following website on how to use a neti pot. http://www.falconblanco.com/health/neti.htm

Once I decided to try the water bottle a few other brave souls wanted to learn neti too so I ended up giving a little class. I would have never thought I'd ever be teaching this as a class but it was so much fun. Here are some pictures of me demonstrating jala neti to the group while camping in the desert. This was absolutely great for our dried out campfire smoke clogged noses.

Unfortunately, the water bottle isn't as sanitary and there's also the question of getting plasticides in your nose so I only recommend it if you are getting desperate. This prompted me to begin a search for a better neti pot that I could take with me while traveling. This led me to eventually find the stainless steel neti pot pictured above.

Stainless Steel Jala Neti Pot Review

Not only is it a more durable neti pot but it has many other advantages in comparison to the ceramic neti pot you find in health food stores.

First of all, the conical tip of the spout really makes a good seal in just about any nostril size. My ceramic one had a larger oval opening that was somewhat difficult to keep the seal with my small nostrils.
The angle of the spout is a lot easier to line up with the nasal passage and doesn't require you to keep tilting your head up further and further as the water runs out.
The neti pot holds 15 oz. of water, enough to give both nostrils a thorough flush without having to refill. (actually I'm able to get 16 oz. in it but you have to mindful to spill it over the rim when you first tilt. The ceramic one only holds 6 oz. of water and I found I had to fill it 4 times(2 per nostril). This is a hassle and also takes up more time which means getting up earlier to allow more time to do neti. Who wants to do that?
It's real easy to mix your salt into the water right in the pot. The stainless steel won't break from clanking a spoon around in it and if you use warm water straight from the tap you don't even have to use another pot to heat your water. I personally use filtered water and heat it in the microwave so I have to use a glass or ceramic bowl to heat my water.
It also came with much better neti pot instructions than any other neti pot I've seen. The company that makes them also makes an awesome neti pot instructional video and since I was also buying one as a gift I got the video free. I've read many different instructions on how to use a neti pot but after watching the video I found it much easier. Particularly the drying of the nose step. This is difficult to understand fully from a book. They even demonstrate stage 2 jala neti which is a much more effective complete nasal passage cleaning. The video makes it very simple to learn and adopt.
Lastly, stainless steel is a lot easier to keep clean and sanitized.

UPDATE: Please check out the Jala Neti Library I was able to revive which gives a lot more information on the practice of Jala Neti(Nasal irrigation).

Desert Spirit Yoga Retreat '05

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 23:44:00 -0400

This is just a quick note about my recent trip to California for a yoga retreat in Joshua Tree. Here's a link to the photo gallery. If you came here specifically in search of neti photos, here they are.

It was truly a wonderful time.

Thanks Darren and Christopher!