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Rationale Behind the Above Statements

The ancient science of yoga has been preserved for many thousands of years by particular traditions and methods of teaching. Prior to the advent of worldwide travel and communications, the techniques of yoga were passed on only by word of mouth from Guru to disciple, that is from a bona fide master to an initiated student. This is known as "direct teaching" where one who really knows what they are talking about and doing, instructs another, personally and directly in the techniques deemed appropriate for that student at that time. Yoga techniques were not taught for health and fitness nor fun and games but for the very serious business of spiritual development and evolution of consciousness. Yoga's therapeutic benefits were merely side effects of the main purpose. These teachings were performed in isolated places, under strict guidance, to a selected few, far away from the interferences of everyday life.

Since only late last century, when a few yoga masters started spreading the new yogic renaissance to the West, has knowledge of the 'hidden' yoga practices become popularised and freely taught to the uninitiated. Although it was the intention of these Gurus to spread the true purpose of yoga, it was frequently received by Western aspirants as a health and fitness regime or else an esoteric philosophy which could be embraced without the necessary practical application. Even today, much of yoga's real substance and its holistic approach to the human condition is still neglected by many yoga teachers.

Recently, with the information revolution many, many more people now have access to this knowledge, both the exoteric and the esoteric. But access to information and untutored experimentation are two different things.

Now we are not suggesting that yoga knowledge should go back into the forests, but rather, we believe that it is the responsibility of yoga initiates and teachers to ensure that modern people do not toy or dabble with the techniques, as many of them can be quite powerful with unpredictable side effects when used injudiciously by those not ready for them nor should people lose the essence of what yoga is truly about. Also, we want nothing other than the reputation of yoga to grow positively so that it's claims as a healing modality can be shown to be true. For these reasons we have always taught by way of the "direct method", and not just openly disseminated all of yoga's information.

Jala Neti is not in any way difficult nor dangerous, however we have found over many years, that some students do encounter difficulties on their first attempt. This is invariably due to things like nervousness, structural nasal blockages, chronic mucus blockages, allergies, history of nose bleeds or a history of prescription medications.

For all the above reasons we don't recommend people sell Neti Pots by mail order to novice individuals who wish to teach themself.

Some links to other yoga groups, who may or may not teach Jala Neti, are included on our Links Page.