HEALTH The DIY sinus cleanse

The neti nitty gritty


Yoga
Lee Kennedy

Neti is a practice that is very beneficial to the cleanliness of the eyes, ears, nose, throat and and lungs. The technique is not as hard or uncomfortable as one may at first think. You may be pleasantly surprised after even your first attempt, the method is so simple and suitable for all including your children. Once learned, the practice can be done in about three minutes every morning like showering and cleaning your teeth!
There are many different methods and stages. Below I outline the very basic method to get you started. The benefits can be felt almost immediately.
Your neti cleansing can remove all the dirt and bacteria-filled mucus from within the nose. It helps to drain the sinus cavities, which in turn helps to re-program the body’s natural mechanisms against nasal infections, such as sinusitis, hay fever, allergies and upper-respiratory complaints like sore throats and coughs. It is also very beneficial for those who suffer fom asthma and bronchitis.
It has a lovely cooling and soothing effect on the brain by drawing out excessive heat, and is therefore beneficial for headaches, migraine, epilepsy, depression and general mental tension. Neti is also excellent for those trying to give up smoking, since it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing and re-sensitises the nose to the actual pollution of ingesting smoke, thereby helping to de-programme the brain of the physical and psychological addiction.

Simple instructions
A special Neti Pot (available in O’Donnell’s Pharmacy on Bridge Street) is filled with warm, slightly salted water, about the same temperature of your blood. Sea salt is best, although regular cooking salt is okay to use to. Use about a quarter of teaspoon (you can taste the water, gargle and spit, just to be sure of the correct mix and temperature). Try to avoid using chlorinated tap water, use pure water – distilled is always a safe bet.
Lean forward over the sink, head half down and turned to the side. The nose cone is placed against one nostril and the position of the head and pot is adjusted to allow the water to flow out of the other nostril.
Only breathe through the mouth whilst the water is flowing through the nasal passages. After half a pot has flowed in one direction, change sides, so the water flow is reversed.
When the water in the pot is finished, the nose must be dried well. Try gently breathing in through the mouth and out the nose about ten times, then use some tissue to dry your nose further.

Lee Kennedy qualified with The BKS Iyengar Yoga Association UK, the YTTC and Ana Forrest of Forrest Yoga. She specialises in pregnancy-related yoga and also studied with Janet Balaskas, founder of the Active Birth Foundation, UK. Visit Yogadara.com or call 0863906343 for more information.