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a fresh and youthful appearance. It has a cooling and soothing influence on the brain and is beneficial in the treatment of epilepsy and migraine. It alleviates anxiety, anger and depression, removes drowsiness and makes the head feel light and fresh. Jala neti stimulates the various nerve endings in the nose, improving the activities of the brain and the overall health of the individual. A balance is brought about between the right and left nostrils and the corresponding left and right brain hemispheres, inducing a state of harmony and balance throughout the body and the systems governing circulation and digestion. Most importantly however, neti
helps to awaken ajna chakra. Practice note: Jala neti may be practised either in a squatting
position or standing with the shoulders and head bent forward. The latter is most suitable for doing neti over a sink while the former may be performed outside. After
some practice a full neti lota may be used for each nostril. Variations: Advanced practitioners may suck water up the
nostrils directly from a glass or bowl. This is the original form of this practice and is called usha paan which literally means 'water of the dawn'. Other liquids are also used by hatha yogis instead of water in the practice of neti. These include warm milk - dugdh neti, warm clarified butter or ghee - ghrita neti, or even yoghurt may be used. If oil is used instead of ghee it must be natural and without added chemicals. However, the most powerful form of neti is practised with urine, amaroli, and is known as swamootra neti. This form is particularly useful for alleviating inflammation of the nasal passages, sinusitis and migraine. Each liquid bestows a different benefit. None of these variations, however, should be attempted unless specifically instructed by the guru or teacher.
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