Neti is a Hatha Yoga cleaning process. Neti is cleansing of the nasal passage of the respiratory system. By cleaning and affecting the mucous membranes inside the nose, they are stimulated so that the whole surrounding area is also strengthened, including the eyebrow centre, which is an important point of contact for the Anja Chakra, the third eye, or, physiologically, the pineal gland. The entire breathing system is affected by Neti. The little cilia hairs which clean the air passages by ’sweeping’ up the dirt are also activated as the mucous membranes are affected.

The nose and pharynx establish connection between the respiratory system and the exterior. A part of the pharynx is used in common by the respiratory and digestive systems.
The respiratory system consists of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Its function is to permit air to come in close contact with the circulating blood so that gaseous exchanges can occur.

When we inhale air we also inhale dust particles and germs. To prevent this foreign matter from entering the lungs, nature has designed a filtering system. In the nostrils the tough hairs first filter the gross dust particles and prevent them from entering into the lungs. Secondly, the mucous membrane is ciliated and the cilia remove particles and germs from the air as it passes.

The cilia act together to remove fluids or particles that come in contact with the ciliated surface. The air is warmed and moistened as it passes through the nasal cavity and comes in contact with the mucous membrane.

So we have the best conceivable exercise against the effects of air pollution. This is reinforced by the breathing exercise that goes with Neti: Bhastrika or the Blacksmith’s Bellows, which also cleans and oxygenates the blood, thereby bringing greater clarity to the brain.

Neti cleansing

Take a little cup with a spout (perhaps a teapot, or a neti pot), fill it with warm water (not too warm) and dissolve about a teaspoon of salt in it. Lean forward and tilt your head to one side. Stick the spout in the upper nostril, keep your mouth open and inhale in a relaxed way through your mouth. Pour the water into your nose very carefully so that it runs out through the other nostril. Your head should not be tilted too far to the side, just held at an angle, so that the water will run out easily. Pour one small pot of water through one nostril and one through the other in the same way.

When you have finished, close one nostril with a finger and blow hard out through the other several times, until the nose is dry and clean.

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