There’s something powerful about starting the day by making space—literally. Here, we explore “Jala Neti”, the ancient yogic practice of gently cleansing the nasal passages with warm salted water.
This seemingly simple ritual is a gateway to:
🔹 Clearer breath
🔹 Sharper senses
🔹 Mental clarity
🔹 A grounded and mindful start to the day
It’s not just for those with sinus concerns—Jala Neti is a secular, healing practice anyone can integrate into their morning routine. In the post, I also share why I’ll be offering Neti pots to participants during my next retreat, guiding them through this deeply nourishing ritual.
There’s a quiet kind of magic in beginning your day by cleaning the inner passages of your nose. It may sound unusual at first, but the ancient practice of Jala Neti—gently rinsing the nasal passages with warm salted water—offers a powerful, grounding ritual for clarity, breath, and connection.
This isn’t a ritual reserved only for those with sinus issues or seasonal allergies. Even if you don’t suffer from these, Jala Neti can profoundly improve your quality of life.
What Is Jala Neti?
Rooted in ancient yogic traditions, Jala Neti is one of the Shat Karmas, the six yogic cleansing techniques described in traditional Hatha Yoga. These practices are designed to purify the body and prepare it for deeper breathing, meditation, and mental clarity.
In Jala Neti, we use a small pot, warm water, and natural salt to rinse the nasal passages gently. It helps remove dust, pollen, pollutants, and excess mucus. But its benefits go far beyond the physical.
A Secular Practice With Deep Benefits
Today, many people approach Jala Neti not as a spiritual obligation, but as a secular, accessible hygiene practice, like brushing your teeth or washing your face. Its effects are felt both immediately and over time. And the results are remarkable.
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You breathe more freely.
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You hear more clearly.
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You taste more fully.
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You feel more present and focused.
By clearing the nasal passages, you also reduce the number of impurities entering your system. This not only protects the respiratory tract but also helps to boost the immune system. Clean airways mean better oxygen intake, which directly supports your energy, vitality, and mental clarity throughout the day.
What Comes Next: Kapalbhati
After Jala Neti, it’s traditionally recommended to practice Kapalbhati, another one of the Shat Karmas. Kapalbhati is a dynamic breathing technique that utilizes forceful exhalations to cleanse the frontal brain region, clear stagnant air from the lungs, and cultivate inner focus.
The name means “shining skull” — and you can feel why. It brings lightness to the mind, improves mental clarity, and deepens your sense of presence. Together, Jala Neti and Kapalbhati form a potent duo for starting your day grounded, energized, and clear.
"The Gateway Within". Jala Neti is a gateway to inner clarity and presence. This serene and intimate practice offers a moment of purification, not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually. It is an invitation to begin the day with awareness, ritual, and breath. Drawing by Isabela Parekh
Why I’m Sharing This With You
During our upcoming retreat, I’ll be offering a Jala Neti pot as a gift to each participant. Before our morning breathing session, I’ll guide you through the technique, making sure you feel safe, confident, and ready to integrate it into your daily life.
Because when we start the day by making space—literally clearing the path—we create room for better breath, deeper awareness, and a more conscious connection to the world around us.
Let your breath flow freely. Let your senses awaken. Let your day begin with clarity.
Warmly,
Ludmila
Let’s begin our days with more breath, more clarity, and more presence.
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