Jala Neti (often shortened to "Neti") is an ancient yogic cleansing practice that involves flushing the nasal passages with a saline solution using a specially designed pot called a neti pot.
How to perform jala neti
Use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water at a lukewarm temperature, mixing it with non-iodized salt (approx. 1 flat teaspoon of salt per 500 ml of water).
Lean over a sink, tilt your head to one side (e.g., to the left), and gently insert the spout of the neti pot into the upper nostril (the right nostril in this example).
Breathe slowly and naturally through your mouth as the saline solution enters the upper nostril and flows out of the lower nostril (the left nostril in this example).
Empty about half the pot, then remove the spout, re-center your head, and repeat the process on the other side.
After the water has flowed out, blow out any remaining water using the Kapala Bhati Pranayama technique (forceful exhalations) or by forcefully exhaling through each nostril individually while holding the other closed.
Benefits
Washes away allergens, irritants, dust, and accumulated mucus, making breathing easier and promoting nasal hygiene.
Thins mucus and helps reduce inflammation, potentially alleviating congestion, pain, and pressure.
By clearing the upper respiratory tract, it can be beneficial for conditions like asthma and reduce the tendency for mouth breathing.
Some sources suggest it can calm the mind, reduce stress, and potentially improve focus for meditation or other practices.
Some sources mention it may help with insomnia, improve the sense of smell, improve eyesight.