The importance of jala
neti in yoga dates back to thousands of years. To realize the benefits
from yoga it is imperative that you can breathe fully through the
nose and in advanced cases also regulate the quantum of flow through
the individual nostrils.
In fact, Pranayama
- one of the most important facets of yoga is responsible for bringing
about tremendous changes in our body and mind. Pranayama is all
about regulating and controlling the breath and thereby the life
force in us.
Therefore, yogis begin
their practice of yoga by doing jala neti, which ensures the desired
condition for regulating breath flow.
Jala neti is also responsible
for the stimulation of the pituitary gland in the brain, which is
of tremendous significance in yoga. This stimulation awakens the
energy center behind the forehead called the Ajna Chakra. This energy
center must be sufficiently stimulated for higher states of meditation.
Therefore jala neti
is an essential prerequisite for meditation too.
Relaxation is also
a very important aspect of yoga and you will notice that you relax
best when your breathing is unobstructed and freely flowing. This
ensures an abundant supply of oxygen at the right temperature to
stimulate relaxation. Here too, jala neti provides the desired result.
Thus, neti forms an
integral part of yoga.
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