Dear All,
The discussion on Neti is quite interesting & important too ! Let me put my
views as a qualified Ayurveda & Yoga consultant on Neti & Nasya.

Inserion of fluid through nostrils ( may be jala i.e. water or sootra i.e.
rubber catheter ) in case of Neti of Yogic Shatkriya & different forms of
ayurvedic medications (viz. oils, juices of medicinal herbs, powders, medicated
ghee ) in case of Nasya of Ayurvedic Panchakarma. In both the scripts theseNeti
a well Nasya have their co relation with the paaification of increased vitiated
‘Kapha’ & known for their utility in the management of Urdhwajatrugat Roga (
Diseases of head & neck, sense organs, disorders of the parts above the level of
clavicle (Jatru).

As per gherand samhita Netikriya is advocated for –
“Sadhanat Netikaryasya Khecharisiddhim Apnuyaat I
Kaphadosha vinashyanti Divyadrushti prajayate II”

(Gh.S.1/51)
If we refer the various classical text books on Ayurveda with special
Reference to Panchakarma , then one would notice the fact that neither Ayurveda
nor Panchakarma or Shodhana Chikitsa of Ayurveda are only meant for
patients.Rather the main aim & object of Ayurveda is to keep or maintain health
of individuals ( Preventive aspect) & then second aim is to make those having
disease , free from diseases.
“swasthasya Swasthya rakshanam Atoorasya Vikar prashamanam cha I” ( Charak
Samhita)

But even while using these Panchakarma Modalities we do pay a special
attention towards their list of contraindications of each Karma along with the
list of indications.( Ke yogya ke ayogya ? ).I think this concept if we think
over & apply in certain Kriyas without changing or deviating the original
concept of Yogic shuddhikriya, , should make sense.

Certain specific Panchakarma procedures are described to be practiced in
certain seasonal set up only when specific doshas are increased in our body, so
that those doshas can be tackled well.For example Vaman is usually advocated in
Sharad Ritu when there is an increased level of vitiated Pitta , which can be
taken out of body through Vaman easily in that period.Basti is advocated in
Varsha Ritu which is a known period of increased vitiation of Vata or Vayu. It
will be interesting to note that these procedures are advocated for healthy
individuals for maintainence of their health.

Will there be the possibilities of utilizing certain Yogic shadkriya in
comjunction with ayurvediya Panchakarma ? So that they could enhance the requied
effect of the other one & work in synergy !
Here I would like to propose such model of Jaslaneti followed by Nassya (
tailbindu or Avapeedaka nasya).I think after doing these processes the utility ,
absorption of the second might get enhanced.I have already started working on
certain conditions at my centres.
1 JALANETI - (CLEANSING OF NASAL PASSAGE BY USE OF WATER)
Contraindications : Blocked nostrils. Salt not to be used if a person is
suffering from hypertension or if salt is contraindicated for any other reason.
Materials Required : Jalaneti cup, glass/tumbler, body-warm potable water,
common edible salt, spoon and a napkin. Saline water should be prepared by
adding half a teaspoon of salt in half a litre body-warm water. Adjust the
quantity of salt and temperature of water as per needs.
Technique : Stand comfortably, preferably before a basin or in a bathroom.
Alternatively, sit on a chair or squat in the open space.
Fill the Jalaneti cup with saline water. Hold the filled cup in the left palm,
keeping four fingers outside and thumb towards the body. Hold the cup firmly
fixing middle finger and thumb in the depressions provided on the respective
sides of the Jalaneti cup. Bring the chin towards chest and tilt the head
suitably towards the right side. Insert the spout of the Jalaneti cup in the
left nostril, keep the mouth open and breathe through mouth throughout. Raise up
the cup slowly taking left elbow up but without changing the position of the
head unless the change is absolutely necessary. Due to this, saline water will
enter from the left to the right nostril and glide down from it. Let the flow of
water coming out of right nostril be slow, smooth, continuous and uniform.
Repeat the above actions, now holding the filled Jalaneti cup in the right
hand for getting the flow of water out from the left nostril. This completes one
round of Jalaneti. Normally, one round of Jalaneti, practised preferably in the
moring, is enough. In special conditions, however, rounds of Jalaneti can be
increased and practised for more than once in a day and at convenient times, as
per needs.

RUBBERNETI (CLEANSING OF NASAL PASSAGE BY RUBBER CATHETER)
Contraindications : Growth of bone or flesh in the nostrils, septum deviation
or blocked nostrils.
Materials Required : 1) Rubber Catheter (surgical quality) of suitable length
and diameter. Clean the catheter thoroghly. Dip it in boiling water before and
after use for making it hygienic. Use the moist/wet catheter only. 2) Clean
napkin. 3) Clean hot and cold potable water.
Technique : Stand before the basin or in a bathroom/ open space or sit in a
chair or squat. Take wet catheter in the right hand. Open the mouth, tilt the
head a little up and back. Give a slight inward curvature to the tapered end
side of the moist/wet catheter and gently insert that end of the catheter in the
right nostril. Along with the inhalation, gently push the catheter inside. If
needed, one can close the left nostril while inhaling by right nostril to
increase the force of inhalation which will enable catheter to go inside along
with forceful
inhalation. But the force should not be more than required as otherwise the
catheter may go more to the upside and touch the olfactory nerves which may
cause intense pain.
Coughing or irritation felt at the throat are the sure indications of catheter
having entered in a throat. At that stage, stop pushing the catheter further
inside. Now wide open the mouth. Enter the pair of thumb and the index finger or
that of index finger and the middle finger inside the throat and catch the
tapered end of the catheter. Slowly pull the catheter out from mouth,
simultaneously loosening the other end of the catheter. Catch hold of upper end
of the catheter in the right hand thumb and index finger and its lower end
coming out from the mouth in the left hand thumb and index finger. Keep the
mouth open and give a gentle massage to inner layer of the nasal passage by
gently moving the catheter to and fro for 3 to 5 times. If required, the number
of massaging movements can be increased provided they are done comfortably and
with the least efforts.
Gently pull the lower end of the catheter out from the mouth simultaneously
loosening the other end of the catheter for facilitating the catheter to come
out comfortably. The upper wide open end of the catheter will cleanse the nasal
passage and remove dirt while coming out from the mouth. Clean the catheter
thoroughly both from inside and outside before using it again. Do the same
action of Rubberneti through the left nostril. Cleansing right and left nostrils
with the rubber catheter will complete one round of Rubberneti.
After completing the practice, clean the catheter thoroughly inside-outside,
shake off water from the catheter, wipe it with a clean and dry cloth. This
should be done meticulously as otherwise lapse in it may prove dangerous. Keep
the catheter in an air-tight box of a suitable size and* preferably of a round
shape.
Notes :
1. One round of Rubberneti may be practised daily or as and when
required,
preferably in the morning. One can practise Rubberneti from any of the
nostrils first.
2. In the beginning, one can lubricate the tapered end of the
catheter with a
suitable edible oil or ghee for ensuring smooth and comfortable
movement of catheter inside the nostrils.
3. Nails of index, middle and thumb fingers must be well trimmed and
filed so hat they don't hurt the mucous membrane while taking out end of the
catheter from the mouth.

Benefits :
1. Cleanses the nasal passage thoroughly.
2. By gentle massage, refreshes nerve ends at the inner layers of
nostrils.
3. Increases the resistance and tolerance level of
delicate inner layers of the nostrils and the nerve ends.
4. Helps to prevent and cure functional types of cold , asthma,
bronchial troubles and breathing problems. Improves the overall health of the
ear, nose and throat.
5. Prevents and restricts septum deviation and troublesome growth
of bone or flesh in the nostrils. Improves breathing.
6. When practiced along with other nasal cleansing processes like
Jalaneti, Shwasana-Marga Shuddhi, Kapalabhati, benefits get enhanced.

Classical References of Neti – As per the references of Hatapradeepika –
“Sootram Nihanti Susnigdham Nasanale praveshayet I
Mukhanirgamayet cha Neti sidhau Nigadyate II
Kapalashodhani chaiva Divyadrishshti pradayini I
Urdhwajataroggoghau Netihi Ashu Nihanti cha II ( H.P.2/30 – 31)

As per gherand samhita Netikriya is advocated for –
“Sadhanat Netikaryasya Khecharisiddhim Apnuyaat I
Kaphadosha vinashyanti Divyadrushti prajayate II”

(Gh.S.1/51)
Divyadrushtim Prajayate – Improvement of visual acuity or third eye is
initiated ?

Here I would like to say , I am with Dr.Bhate at certain points, that Neti
should be done initially than Nasya for getting better absorption of Nasya drug.

I hope this information may help Jane MacRoss to know the correct methodology
of performing Nasya.

Thanking you,
With warm regards,
Prof.Dr.Aashish Phadke
M.D.(Ayurved)(Mumbai),M.I.I.M.(Gold Medal),
Dip.in Yogic Education(Yoga Vidya Niketan - Mumbai),
Dip.in Yoga (Centre for Yoga - Dept. of Philosophy ,University of Mumbai )
www.ayurvision.com

> Is there a description anywhere of how to do this correctly - I thought the
water had to come out of the mouth - if it doesn't how do you stop it?