To Wash the Nose
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
A neti pot is what cleanses the nose and sinus passages. A necessary ingredient to equalizing the flow of breath is to cleanse the nostrils first. Breathing through both nostrils is said to assist in harmonizing both the active and passive systems of the body, so the neti wash is useful before a meditation of this sort. Search on the internet for neti pots, if you would like to purchase one, and you will find them.
Jala Neti
Yoga manuals describe jala neti as purification with water. The water draws out extra mucus and dirt and draws water from swollen turbinate structure inside the nasal passages. It also triggers drainage of the sinuses. Daily practice makes a person more immune to common colds, congestion of the sinuses, and other types of respiratory infections.
Mix 1⁄4 tsp of salt and lukewarm water in your neti pot. Some people use more, some people use less. Bend toward the sink, turn your head sideways, and put the end of the neti pot into the uppermost nostril and let the water flow into it. Allow the water to flow out of the lower nostril. If you need to, lift your head up and back to allow the water to flow within the nasal passageways before you let it escape. Then blow your nose, getting rid of excess water and mucus. If there is a problem clearing the sinuses, bend down toward the floor, your head lower than your hips, and continue the clearing process.
Repeat these steps with the other nostril.
Sutra Neti (String Neti)
A rubber catheter with a cotton string attached is threaded through the nostril and then drawn out through the mouth. A string by itself can also be used if it is stiffened with wax. These implements must be sterilized prior to use. This cleanses the nostrils, strengthens the mucus membranes, and is good for the eyes. (An instructor is recommended.)
The practice of nasal irrigation, or in India, where it is a daily practice, known as jala neti and sutra neti, is an ayurvedic yoga technique where nasal cleansing is accomplished using a special instrument called a neti pot. The neti pot is used in jala neti where water is poured into the nasal cavity and through the nasal sinuses to clear mucus, a clogged nostril, or a clogged tear duct. Sutra neti is a different technique where a string is inserted through the nasal passage. Both techniques facilitate sinus drainage of the sinus passage which improves pranayama breathing and yogic breathing in general. In the yoga manual a nasal wash or nose wash is recommended for better health.