I receive many queries on jala neti. Some are very afraid to do it. Others feel headache after doing it. Rest are not able to perform jala neti properly, i.e. their complaints are that jala neti water do not flow from one nostril to other or their both nostrils are blocked. So, I try to compile all the precautions and safety measures of jala neti to the best of my knowledge and experience.
- Jala neti water should always be sterilized and used lukewarm only. Pour 2-3 drops of jala neti water on the back of the palm of your hand and if its temperature is comfortable, use it, else adjust the temperature of the water.
- Neti Pot should always be sterilized also. One should use neti pot of copper or ceramic. If possible, try to avoid plastic neti pot. I use Himalayan Institute’s Neti Pot, which is well customised to use.
- The salt used for making the neti water saline must be very hygienic and must not be adulterated. You can try sendha salt also for jala neti water. The salt should be moderate in quantity. Put 3-4 drops of this water on your tongue and see if this taste is comfortable, else adjust the quantity. It should be moderate.
- While doing jala neti, i.e. when you sit in kagasana or in standing half-forward-bent position, and have inserted the nozzle of the neti pot into one of the nostrils, breathe through mouth only and not through the nostrils, keeping it opened through the neti process. Else, the water will not flow from one nostril out of the second nostril.
- When you are done with both the nostrils, do kapalbhati (forceful exhalations, be careful if you are suffering from high blood pressure or consult your physician) in the same posture as used during jala neti until nostrils are dried. Else, many feel headache because of the accummulation of the water in the nasal cavities.
- The saline water dissolves the mucous membrane of the nostrils. Mucous membrane provides immunity from the microbes in the air as well as helps in conditioning the air before it reaches the respiratory system by adjusting its temperature. So, it is suggested that one should neti in clean environment, preferably at home or yoga centres where the air is clean and should not immediately go outside to the polluted environment. I found that many people after doing jala neti go from home or yoga centre to outside having extreme temperature variations – hot or cold, then also they feel headache because the mucous membrane takes time to regenerate after neti is done. Similarly, some people switches on the AC after doing jala neti and complains of the headache. So avoid this mistake.
- Beginners do not have free flow of water initially. This happens mostly in the mornings of winter. You can do warm up exercises – jogging, walking, or suryanamaskar followed by kapalbhati (avoid if you are suffering from high blood pressure or consult your physician.) before doing jala neti. Regular practice of jala neti is the only way to get success.