Sutra neti is also one of the classic shat karmas (Six cleansing activities) of ancient hatha yoga. Its benefits are extolled by the great treatises on Hatha Yoga and yoga hygiene as an important synergist in accelerating a yogic process. Although water cleansing or bathing of nasal cavities mechanically removes dust, irritants and impurities from the nasal passages and is thus beneficially soothing, Sutra Neti goes further stimulating and tonifying the nerves, glands, and organs of the entire nasal and cranial area including the eyes, sinuses, ears and cranium. For centuries, it has been a specific treatment in India for sluggishness, sinus headaches, congestion, eye and ear complaints, heaviness o fthe head, excess kapha (mucus), lack of alertness.
Care of the Sutra Neti String.
The more common strings are made from one foot long cotton thread or string half of which is dipped in beeswax stiffening it in order to allow its insertion into the nasal cavity without balling up. The beeswax cannot undergo sharp bends the nasal cavity without balling up. The beeswax cannot undergo sharp bends without cracking, so it is suggested that it is kept wrapped or protected alongside a without cracking, so it is suggested that it is kept wrapped or protected alongside a long stick, stick of cardboard, or similar stiff strip to prevent accidental sharp bends, hence cracking the beeswax. Otherwise, simply learn how to dip your own by taking 1/16" - 1/18" (2-3 mm) pure soft cotton string approximately one foot (30 cm) long and then dipping approximately half of it into a pot of pure melted beeswax. The string will stop dripping within ten seconds. Allow to harden with a clothes' pin and line or on clean piece of paper making sure that th ebottom tip has not become too fat or sharp. If a sifter string is desired melt in some cocoa butter with the beeswax. If there still is resistance or irritation apply coconut oil to the tip of the string just before insertion.
A second alternative, the use of a soft rubber catheter is by far the easiest to slip through, however, it gives the least amount of friction and stimulation. These one foot (30 cm) long 1/8"-3/16" (2-3mm) thinck catheters can be cheaply obtained at any surgical apply or medical supply store. They are also very easily cleaned.
BENEFITS
sutra neti is especially good before pranayama because of frictional massage the membranes are strengthened and able to work more efficiently, in their function of warming, cleaning, humidifying and disinfecting the air. This conditions the air in a sanguine manner before it enters the lungs. Also in regard to pranayama, the blood supply to the nerves of the air passages have already become energized through the sutra neti. It is believed that many infections as well as the diseases of asthma and emphysema are aggravated or created when people breathe through their mouths becuase their noses are too blocked, thus neti is beneficial. Many yoga practices cannot be performed correctly without being able to breathe through the nose.
Many sutra neti is excels in removing cattarh, snot, phlegm, kapha and the like. Sutra neti stimulates the nerves and related brain functions of the eyes, tear ducts, sinus, ears and head. Albeit, it increases mucus at first as it catalyzes a catharsis, flushing out the secretory glands and removing stagnation of the lymph, blood and nerves of the area and thus increasing resistance to infection. Sutra neti also clears away dried up mucous deposits and foreign bodies by stimulating fludi from underneath the deposits to help in the flushing process (inside out) but is best followed by jala neti to flush out any residue.
