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When I started I tilted my head almost upside down in attempting to 'get the 'flow' going - but it's more of a passive thing, the water automatically comes out the other nostril when your head is at a slight angle.

I swivel my eyes (not head) to look back around at the pot, to create a good angle...

Gomukha - thanks for this. I have to admit to trying neti a couple of times, but I've never got it right (the water always seems to go up too high and it feels like a burning sensation ). I've stopped doing it actually (I'm a bit of a wimp, but it doesn't feel good).

Do you know what I could be doing wrong. Is the tilting of the head the main thing? Thanks for any help here.

The burning sensation might be the fresh water that's still in the spout. Before I place the nozzle in my first nostril I tip a little water out so that it's consistent with the salty water in the pot. However a friend has also mentioned that it started to suddenly sting for her after a period of using with no discomfort. We weren't able to pinpoint the reason then.

'Too high' - that phrase reminds me of when I'm in the sea and get dumped by a wave and the water forces it's way up 'too high'. So there's a sense of not having control. But I'm not sure what you mean by too high.
Perhaps you could be tilting the head too much over/ upside down?

If you can bend so that your head and torso are roughly in line (not bent or hunched over) that helps the position of the 'airways'- those being used for breathing (mouth and throat) and those being partitioned off from breathing (nasal passages).

Personally, before I place the nozzle I focus on breathing just with the mouth and chest, with the flappy bit at the back of the mouth raised to seal off the throat from the nose.

Tilting of the head is important, so the nostril is sort of the lowest thing, not the ear. Relaxing - or rather, 'being calm' is just as important, as my jala neti booklet informed me. Any anxiety about doing it right or doing it wrong would contribute to irregular or jagged breathing, which may result in an involuntary inhale via the nose (a no-no for initial jala neti) and discomfort. Perhaps calmly visualize the water going in and coming out.

If you can practice with the aid of a friend who can discuss what they see, that would be better than solo trial and error. However, it's worth trying again and getting used to. A spirit of curiosity and enjoyment too - it's fun stuff!

This is really helpful, I find neti hard (I am just a beginner at it - wooweeee) particularly when you say the nostril is the lowest thing...I think this is where I was going wrong, my nose tilted too far up. I will try being calm!! (That made me smile as it does make me quite tense acutally I feel like I'm drowning! (thanks again Gomukha )

No problemo !

Please post again when you make progress..

The other day I did it in front of my classmates, which was fun

Hi guys, I was reading this thread and thinking, I do the jala (water) neti whenever I feel a bit bunged up, and without too much hassle - but since I was introduced to Sutra (string) Neti, I've only done it a few times...

does anyone have any experience with this type of shatkriya?

Hey Rueben,

is the string neti when you swallow a long cheese cloth to clean the intestines? I've read something about that, it sounds bizarre and yet interesting.I'm not so sure I could do that though. I think pulling it out would freak me out and I'm sure I wouldn't be calm.........

Namaste~
Tracie

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DaceYoga

no, that's a type of dhauti... i think its hrid dhauti, or vamana dhauti... yes, it is quite an unusual practice. i've not tried it.

sutra neti you use a string or a rubber catheter up the nostril then down the back of the throat & out the mouth... its interesting, and initially, only to be done in the presence of someone experienced in the practice. it really does clear the nasal passages of blockages.

oh man that doesn't sound too good either. And you've done this? didn't it freak you out. I can imagine the sensation You are a brave man Rueben. Hows your other situation going? Do you feel the breakup was the right decision for you? I Hope so.....Om Shanti

Namaste~
Dace

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DaceYoga

Dace,

i've done the sutra neti a few more times now, i try to do it once a week, and i do the jala neti most days, after i've done kunjal kriya. i find it helps keep the amount of mucous in my system to a minimum... now, i'm sure if i minimised my dairy intake this would help the mucous as well, but i love cheese, milk & eggs, so thats not happening anytime soon!

as someone with mild asthma mucous in my system affect my breathing & if it affects that it affects my mood.

using these cleansing techniques 1st thing in the morning, before i hit the mat or the cushion is yet another way to prepare my body/ mind for the day.

as for the other situation. yes splitting up with my ex was the best decision i've made in years. i'm loads happier, and feel loads free-er. however. things have been getting a little hedonistic of late. no drama though, any period of change in life goes through a "clunky" stage.