Neti and Tongue Cleaning
Hatha yoga hygiene practices
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The Neti Pot Doctors and alternative health practitioners around the world recommend the regular practice of nasal cleansing using saline solution as part of a regular regimen of health and well-being. While the practice of nasal irrigation may have originated in India, today there are large numbers of people in Europe and North America who have added this simple technique to their daily hygiene.
What is Nasal Cleansing (NETI)?
Many people practice Neti on a daily basis to keep their sinuses clean and improve
their ability to breather freely. Some people who are endeavoring to give up
smoking find that regular neti aids in speeding up this process they feel so
clean and pure that to smoke afterwards is appalling to them. Most find neti
a soothing and pleasant practice once they master the practice. If you are one
of the many people who find that your nasal passages are blocked as a result
of the effects of pollution, dust, pollen and other irritants, you may find
this simple cleansing technique of invaluable benefit to you.
The practice of nasal irrigation, known as Neti, has been used by practitioners of Yoga and Ayurveda in India for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Neti is one of the six purification techniques undertaken prior to the practice of yoga to help prepare the body for the yoga practice. It is referred to in the original yogic texts known as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Gheranda Samhita. It is described at some length in the Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnu Devananda, published in the USA as early as 1960. Some yogic teachers consider it valuable in cleansing the energy channels and balancing the right and left hemispheres to create radiant, energetic health and wellness, which is the foundation upon which true yogic practice can come to fruition. While there are advanced techniques using various herbs and herbal oils, the simplest technique, known as "jala neti" uses water (jala) for the cleansing process. Lukewarm water is used to gently open up the nasal passages. Use of a neti pot or vessel is recommended to ease this process. Advanced practitioners may use this pot also for the herbal or oil administration (referred to as "nasya") as well.
How to do Neti
Nasal Hygiene
A recent University of Wisconsin study found the neti pot provided a simple drug-free treatment for sinus infections. Patients reported fewer headaches, fewer side effects and decreased use of antibiotics. Nasal cleansing, known as neti, has been used by practitioners of yoga and ayurveda in India for hundreds of years. First-time users may find the water doesn't drain (adjust your head tilt) or the water stings (add baking soda to the salt water).
Blame it on the weather--or on increased knowledge of the pots--but this year, neti pot use is on the rise. "I must have sold 100" and need to order more, said Patricia Kuehfus, the owner of Pathways Body, Mind, Spirit Shop in suburban Colonie. She also sells Sinucleanse, a natural saline solution, to accompany the pots. "If you're starting to get a cold, it stops it. If you have a cold, it helps healing," she said.
Particularly in our modern world that is filled with pollutants, allergens and dust, it is important to keep nasal passages clean and healthy. Many health practitioners consider the nasal passages to be the doorway for most illnesses. The nasal passage actually is one of nature's means is protecting us from illness, with its finely tuned mechanism of hairs and mucus membranes, both intended to catch and restrain external factors from entering our bodies. Unfortunately, this filtering mechanism can become overloaded through high exposure to dust and particulates and pollution factors. Cleansing the filter regularly allows it to operate more efficiently, thereby helping our bodies remain strong, fit and healthy.
It is no surprise that with the assault of chemicals, fragrances, pollution, dust, pollen, etc.. that our nostrils are under enormous stress and there is an enormous rise in the number of people thereby suffering various forms of nasal congestion and respiratory illnesses. Modern day diet also tends to favor foods that increase the body's production of mucus, thereby creating an imbalance and clogging up the nasal passages and sinuses. Flushing removes excess pollens and pollution and soothes dry nasal linings.
An effective and healthy nasal filtering system is an important part of the body's immune defense system. Practicing regular nasal hygiene can be an important part of keeping this system functioning at its peak efficiency and maintaining a healthy, balanced life energy
There is no need in your daily hatha yogic practices to go to stage 2 neti but if you wish too- you will reap the benefits.
Descriptions of stage 2 and 3 Jala neti
In stage 2 of Jala-neti water is taken with a special pot through one nose and
taken out through mouth and in stage 3, water is drunk by mouth full and taken
out through nostrils. Since both the stages are advanced practices, so they
should be learned under a qualified and experienced yoga master. It is highly
recommended you should do stage II and III in expert Certified guidance.
For your help, I am detailing Jala Neti Stage 2. 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 first master the simpler version of Stage 1. Ideally, this stage of Neti should be supervised by a teacher on your first few attempts, however many people manage to succeed unaided.
First one potful of water is done as per Stage 1 to clear out the frontal nasal passages, 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. A few gentle blows out into the sink is satisfactory before refilling the net pot.
On the second potful - whilst the water is running through from one nostril to the other - it is gently sniffed backwards and spat out of the mouth. The easiest way is to draw one slow, long inhalation through the nose to "bubble" the water as it goes through. Do not do quick sharp snorts or you may send water up the ear tubes and sinuses. On the exhalation, that water is spat out the mouth. One or two slow sniffs will make half a pot disappear quickly!
Repeat on the other side for several slow sniffs to drain the pot. A third potful may be done to repeat Stage 2 if desired. Although not dangerous, one should try not to swallow any water when sniffing backwards. Extra care must be taken to dry the nose properly after Stage 2, as more water floods the nasal passages and may cause irritation for some time if not completely dried out.
Repeat the full drying process as many times as it takes. 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.
Tongue Cleaners 
A tongue cleaner removes more mucous, bacteria and debris from the tongue than
anything else and with terrific ease and efficiency. This has been proved through
the experience of oriental civilizations that have used tongue cleaners for
centuries to have the lowest incidence of tongue diseases & disorders. Tongue
cleaning and neti are one of the best cures for bad breath and also decrease
the likely hood of catching colds and flu's.
Cleaning the tongue
We have neti pots for sale in the Centre and are awaiting a supply of tongue cleaners.