Hatha Yoga Kriyas from Yoga in Daily Life - The System by Paramhans Swami

“Hatha Yoga is the path of practice and purification - internal, as well as external. It is therefore an additional path to the four traditional paths (Bhakti, Gyan, Karma and Raj Yoga). Regular practice of these exercises requires willpower and discipline and that is why this path is called Hatha Yoga. HA-THA, also means sun and moon. This refers to the union and harmony of the sun and moon principles, which result from the practice of Hatha Yoga.
There are six purification techniques that pertain to Hatha Yoga, called Shat Karma Kriyas or Shat Karmas.”

Although pouring saline water through your nostrils may seem the farthest thing from Yoga you could imagine, it has a Yogic history dating back hundreds of years. The technique is easy and requires only a neti pot (called a neti lota) and a warm salt-water solution (see Yoga In Daily Life - The System page 353). In a standing or squatting position pouring the water through one side of the nose and then pouring the water through the other and then most importantly drying the nostrils with gentle forceful breaths, make sure you don't blow the remaining water in the ears or sinus passages. It takes only a short time to master the technique and once mastered takes only a few minutes to perform the practice. You may ask, why? Well, the nasal passages play a very important part in purification and cleaning the air as it enters the body through the nostrils. The tiny hairs, called cilia, trap the larger particles in the air and the mucous lining traps smaller foreign particles and bacteria, the sinus passages secreting a runny mucous to remove germs and infections. By running warm water that is body temperature and an amount of salt which is the same salinity as the blood the solution harmlessly removes any build up of particles and germs that don't get blown out or swallowed, leaving the nasal cavities feeling clean and free of foreign objects. Due to gravity and the vacuum pressure created by the flow of water the sinus passages are also drained relieving running sinuses and sinus pressure. Also the eyes get the same effect, a drawing out of the tear ducts, which leaves the eyes bright and clear. Jala Neti also affects the nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system (the flight or fight response) and the parasympathetic system (responsible for relaxation and repose), which correlate to the Ida/Pingala Nadis (energy channels), the left and right nostrils and the left and right brain hemispheres are brought into balance and better physical and mental health can be achieved by the cleansing effect of Jala Neti.

Everyone can benefit from the practice of Jala Neti and it can be done every day. The benefits include:

• removes all dust dirt and bacteria from the nostrils
• strengthens vision and relieves tired eyes
• relieves headaches, hay fever and allergies
• beneficial for asthma and bronchitis sufferers- improves sensitivity of the olfactory nerves
• memory, visualization and concentration stimulated- harmonizing effect on the nervous system
• helps against respiratory complaints e.g. coughs, sore throats, sinusitis

Avoid the practice of Jala Neti if you have chronic nosebleeds, severe cold or earache.

Neti Pots are available at your Yoga in Daily Life centre or can be ordered from our National Centre in Sydney. For more information on the technique of Jala Neti see Yoga in Daily Life - The System by Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda.

Many thanks to Sheila at http://www.healthandyoga.com/ for additional information.