Neti Sankalp - Beyond Medicines A Holistic Health Mission

Our work-life routine has somehow forced a desk-bound lifestyle upon us which has resulted in more sedentary hours and prolonged screen usages (i.e. mobile, computer, tv) deteriorating our health. This is to the credit of these two reasons that disorders related to head and neck like cervical spondylitis, vision problems, memory issues, stress, headaches etc… have become almost a part of our life. The ideal lifestyle of waking up in brahma muhurta, maintaining yoga practice, eating sattvic diet, having luxury of 7hrs of sound sleep seems desirable but has gone beyond our reach.

In India, we have always been blessed with a trustworthy background that ensured holistic health in the most natural ways possible. At Vedicus Foundation we have been continuously endeavouring to establish better informed practices that promote a simple yet more enabled lifestyle. We tend to do this by utilising our heritage wealth of ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy in tune with modern perspectives.

Neti Sankalp is the foundation step for establishing a preventive practice that reduces detrimental effects of our sedentary lifestyle, eye and brain stress due to prolonged working hours in front of screens. The regime would take only 5 or 10 mins of your routine but will surely help you to deal with the challenges of having a desk-bound lifestyle.

Vedicus Foundation feels proud in reaching to you for the propagation of Neti Sankalp mission and solicit you as an ambassador for the further propagation of these beneficial life sciences.

Why Neti

Blockage of nostrils or presence of impurities are an invitation for various disorders and it also affects the functioning of related organs. In neti karma the nasal route is used for detoxification so there are following reasons supporting neti topic.

Detoxification Helps : Neti is sequentially the first kriya under shatkarma (six yogic practices for body detoxification and internal cleansing) which involves purification of nasal passages by expelling out the foreign bodies and impurities. Cleansing of our nostrils becomes essential as they support the most important autonomous process of breathing; mechanically by filtering foreign bodies in the air, adding both, moisture to prevent dryness and warmth to suit the temperature internally. Thus nasal efficiency ensures that pure and required quantity of air reaches to the lungs for absorption of oxygen and proper coordinated functioning of the other organs.

Sinus Immunology : The sinuses are small, air-filled cavities that produces mucus to protect the nose from pollutants, microorganisms, dust and dirt. Besides they also play an important role in reducing the weight of skull and imparting resonance to the voice. There are four different sinuses ( i.e. frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, ethmoidal sinus, sphenoidal sinus) which all drains into the nasal passage. Neti helps to extract all the impurities and bacteria filled mucus from these sinus cavities. This in turn restores the sinuses efficiency with only air left in the sinus cavities which makes weight of the skull feel light and promotes better voice.

Nervous System Management : Ayurveda, one of the oldest medical systems native to India, states “Dvāram hi shiraso nāsā tena tad vyāpya hanti taan || (Cha. Si.)”. It means nose is the gateway of head and any administration of drug through nose cavity has direct effects on our central nervous system. So the practice of Jala Neti followed by Ghrita Neti promotes better memory and vigour, and helps in keeping words like stress, anxiety, depression at an arm’s length. This results in healthy nervous system and prevents various neurological and psychological disorders.

5 Min Schedule : Today where life has become a race against time, we literally run short of opportunities to follow a schedule. We deprive ourselves of the benefits for the sole reason of starting it at the “Right Time”. The neti discipline is a five minute regime that could easily make its place in your busy schedule and could be learned by a single guided session. The practise of neti has preventive and curative aspects for the various disorders. Thus in order to have maximum benefits of neti on physiological and psychological levels while continuing with your current routines, you can opt the practice schedule suggested under “Neti Sankalp” mission.

Benefits of Neti

Advantages of Neti has been so truly put in the adage “आँख कान अरु दांत के रोग न व्यापे कोए, नैन सदा निर्मल रहे नेति कर्म करे जो कोए”. So is the benefits of neti which naturally immunes over the problems like sinusitis, tinnitus, common cold, hay fever, allergies, H1N1 viruses like swine flu, congestion, sore throat, cough, snoring, migraine and facial pain etc. It releases muscle tension from head and neck, providing relief in conditions like cervical spondylosis. Neti provides a cure without medication for such problems and especially for a seeker trapped in mis-managed lifestyle turmoil, it helps in gaining better stability and control over body and mind. Per se :

• It reduces the adenoids inflammation making your airways open.
• It flushes the tear ducts that carries tears from the eyes to the nose, hence facilitates clearer vision.
• It is also beneficial for blockages and infections of the middle ear, by draining the tubes to relieve the pressure build up as well as removing germs.
• It helps to draw out excessive heat from the frontal portion of head where heavy thinking takes place which gets heated up with the increased stress.
• It also has subtle effects on the pineal and pituitary glands that govern the hormonal system, resulting in harmonized emotional behaviour.

Given these substantial benefits, we believe, one must be curious to opt neti in his/her routine and must share this heritage wealth with their family & friends.

To start with neti

Though based on the process in the scriptures neti can be broadly classified into four categories which is a stepwise process for the cleansing of nasal passages and gaining consciousness. As the first step the practice always starts from Jala Neti (जल नेति) which has three further stages. Under “Neti Sankalp” mission, we have synergised the process of “anulom vilom jala neti” the first stage of Jala Neti with the certain benefits of Ghrita Neti (घृत नेति) to devise a pragmatic solution for your lifestyle needs.

Nasal irrigation with Neti

The process of anulom vilom jala neti in the west is known as Nasal Irrigation technique suggested by doctors especially to the people suffering from cold and sinusitis. Requisites for Jala Neti are :

• Neti pot
• Lukewarm water
• Table salt

In anulom vilom jala neti we pour lukewarm salted water from one nostril which is allowed to flow out from the opposite nostril. We should start pouring from the airway which is more open or has a better airflow. Thus before start doing jala neti, checkout each side by closing it with one finger and blowing air from the other.

It is recommended to pour water into the nostril with the help of neti pot while positioning in Kagasana (कागासना) which is like sitting in squatting position. If a person is not able to do it in sitting position then it can be done in standing position and bending forward at an angle of 45 degree over the washbasin. We use clean lukewarm salted water which is said to be as warm as our blood and as salty as our tears for Jala neti. Therefore add half a teaspoon of salt to a litre of water and check the temperature by pouring the water over the skin of your hand. Temperature should feel soothing. Unnecessary cold or hot water would irritate or dilate the veins in the nose.

Generally 300ml-500ml of water is poured down through one nostril and then the same process is repeated from the other side. While pouring water from one nostril it is necessary to keep our mouth a little open to breathe.

After completing one round we will bend forward in standing position at an angle of 45 degree and blow the air with a little force from the nose by rotating our head right, left, up and down so that the extra water is flushed out.

Important Guidelines

• Neti as a foremost kriya should be practised at the start of your day which may be followed by asanas, pranayama or exercise routine.
• Secondarily you may also practice it in evening time with a gap of atleast 3hrs from the last intake.
• If doing neti for the first time, it may feel like hitting at the back of head. It's completely safe and will normalize within few minutes.
• Beginners makes the most common mistake of inhaling from the nose when doing neti. A conscious effort to inhale from mouth while keeping it open throughout the process should be made.
• Water may drain into your mouth while doing neti which is normal. You can spit it out afterwards.
• After neti you should not eat, drink or bath for minimum half an hour.
• You should restrain doing neti on heavy rainy days.

Ghrita Neti Simplified

From ages cows in India has been sacred for a reason. Our scriptures has stated the numerous benefits of cow’s milk, clarified butter, urine and even dung. Similarly Ghrita Neti (घृत नेति) - is a process done with Indian cow clarified butter that results in vigour, better memory and rightful practice helps the practitioner to achieve higher levels of consciousness. Here we are not inculcating the actual practice of ghrita neti as it needs to be in harmony with certain asanas schedule under the guidance of a Guru.

Nevertheless if only we instill two drops of lukewarm shudh ghee of Indian cow into each nostril after jala neti. Its potent enough to save us from H1N1 viruses and would promote a better memory, better eyesight & better hair.

For the morning routine if you are done with jala neti and your workout, you can pour two drops of lukewarm ghee into each nostril while lying down. Do not forcefully inhale after pouring rather let it penetrate slowly with normal breathing while staying in the lying position for ten minutes. If you have practiced neti but not exercised then it's better to pour ghee after bathing. For the evening routine you should pour the lukewarm ghee just before going for sleep.

You need to have pure ghee (clarified butter) of Indian cow. It may be hard to get original Indian cow’s ghee. So the best way would be if you could source the milk of Indian cow at some local dairy and derive the ghee at home. The process may seem cumbersome but it will be worth your efforts.

You can pour cow ghee into the nostrils throughout the year except for the winters.

Neti Sankalp: Take a pledge with us to practice neti at least twice a week & keep stress levels, common cold, sinusitis, tinnitus, hay fever, allergies, H1N1 viruses like swine flu, congestion, sore throat, cough, snoring, migraine and facial pain etc...at bay. Be an ambassador for the propagation of these beneficial life sciences.

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For enquiries, please email at : foundation@vedicus.com