Jala Neti - The Yoga Practice of Saline Nasal Irrigation

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Jala Neti in Yoga and Meditation Practice

Many yoga students may not realise that the wonderful method of Jala Neti belongs to their own tradition of Hatha Yoga. In fact it is only one of many cleansing techniques the yoga masters developed and have been passing on for millennia.

Although much of the information on this website presents the common physical benefits of Jala Neti, the other less known benefits of Neti cleansing are even more relevant to the aspirations of the serious yoga student.

When sick, many people will try a particular health remedy for a while whilst they overcome an illness and then, as the symptoms subside, they frequently drop the therapy. But yoga techniques in general, and Jala Neti specifically, were not developed to be just tried out and discarded. They are intended to be used regularly, in conjunction with daily sadhana (yoga practice session), for much more than physical therapy.

With yoga, the sky's the limit - there is no end to the extent which one can take the techniques. The benefits, both obvious and subtle, go on accumulating as one grows and develops through yoga practice. Once you experience and understand more of the inner benefits of Jala Neti it can easily become a daily ritual maintained for a lifetime.

The Importance of Clear Nose Breathing
It is of course, good to get the gross dirt and bacteria out from the nasal passages, to remedy allergies and sinusitis, to lessen nostril air resistance, to reduce infections, to clear the head of sleepiness, and to balance the nostril airflow. But these things are simply side effects of Jala Neti (and preliminary ones at that) before we get onto the main show! And that is where Jala Neti's subtle pranic effects can be used to accelerate the deeper elements of your regular yoga and meditation practice.

One needs to be healthy in body and mind for the higher states of consciousness to dawn. If there is excessive mucus in the nose, lethargy in the body, lack of concentration or neuroses in the mind, success in meditation will not come. So some amount of physical cleansing is always necessary depending upon your own state of health. As well, mental cleansing needs to be attended to. Jala Neti, in conjunction with pranayama (breath and energy techniques), is of great help here too.

The Subtle Energies and Pranayama
As every good hatha yoga student should know, the purpose of Hatha Yoga is to unite the two polar forces of Ha and Tha, Prana Shakti and Manas Shakti, Yin and Yang, Male and Female. This union between the opposite forces inherent in human nature can be brought about through yoga techniques such as asana (postures), pranayama (energy control), mudra (gestures), bandhas (energy locks), Shatkarmas (cleansing) and many others. Most directly, through pranayama, the two types of prana can be awakened, balanced, unified then intensified so that successful meditation can occur. Advanced pranayama is therefore a necessary prerequisite for advanced meditation.

For the meditator and yogi, many benefits, both gross and subtle, can be gained through regular practice of Jala Neti and its various stages. And as Ajna Chakra (the third eye) awakens and the perceptions become more and more subtle, Jala Neti on a daily basis will keep the subtle energies flowing and clear for intuition to be more the guiding force in daily life.

For more information on Jala Neti relevant to Yoga and Meditation, please use the shortcut links following or navigate the website with the directory bar at bottom.