Neti - For A Smooth Respiration
To enjoy smooth respiration, you need to take care that both the
nostrils should be clear and the passage within them should be
completely open for the air to move. But with many people, it is
usually one of the nostrils that are open. Hence it is important
for you to clean the nasal passage. Yoga gives a kriya called
Neti which is useful for clearing the nostrils.
In Neti, a thick thread of about one foot made by interlacing
three or four thin threads and softened with butter or oil is
passed through one of the nostrils and is brought out through
the mouth. Hold both the ends of the thread together and rub the
nasal passage by pulling both the ends of the thread,
alternating to and fro. When you finish cleaning one nostril,
take out the thread from the mouth. Wash the thread properly and
insert it in the other nostril. Repeat the process. You can
replace the thread with a rubber catheter and derive the same
purpose. You can also perform a milder version of Neti by
pouring lukewarm water with a dash of table salt through a cup
with a spout into your nostril. You stoop slightly forward and
tilt your head to a side to pour water. Do not permit the water
to go down the throat but should come out through the other
nostril.
Drinking water through the nose can be another form of Neti. The
water should not be either too cold or too warm. Take this water
in a bowl, dip your nostrils slightly into the bowl and then
tilt it. Suck the water gently and let it go down the nostrils.
This will irritate the inside of the nasal passage initially,
since the upper side of the nasal passage is very delicate and
water will irritate it. But regular practice will teach you to
pass the water through the lower nostril, so there is no
irritation. This method is very useful in the warm climate as it
cleans the nasal passage and has soothing and refreshing effect
on the nasal canal, brains and eyes.
As per the tradition, water is kept in a copper vessel overnight
and is drunk through the nose early in the morning. Once you get
the experience, you can easily empty an entire glass of water
within a minute or two. You can then enjoy the yogic breathing
after cleaning both the nostrils. But people with a deviated
nasal septum or any breathing disorder should always take
medical advice before doing yogic breathing.