Neti Yoga - What is Hatha Yoga?

The Neti pot is directly rooted in yoga and I believe it is owed to its users to have access to as much information about it as possible. Yoga is a spiritual and ancient science of personal exploration which has an infinite application. It is similar to modern sciences on the basis that is also has many branches of study and practice.  The word Yoga translates to oneness, union or bringing together and this exactly what the many different sections of Yoga are all striving to achieve. This should be done through transcendence of dualistic conflict and being one with the universe.

Hatha yoga is a branch of the yogic science, concerned with the harmonization of forces with the mind and body. The way for its practitioners to achieve the harmony is through various methods of physical and mental cleansing, with one of them being nose rinsing. The word Hatha, is composed of two syllables; ha and that. Ha means solar force, also called Prana Shakti, while the means lunar force, also called Manas Shakti. Solar force is the physical, dynamic, outward, and life giving form of human energy. Lunar force is the inward, mental, and reflective expression of energy.

According to yoga philosophy in the Hatha yoga branch, it is widely accepted by its members that these two forms of our makeup have to become balanced for a healthy and spiritually attuned existence. The techniques of this branch work on purifying and cleansing all of the sensory, and action organs of the human body. In both, the psychic and physical realms this creates a harmonious flow of energy with the Solar and Lunar parts of the human framework.

It is not unusual for the term Hatha Yoga to be misunderstood to solely represent the postures and exercise techniques of Yoga. There is a certain number of yoga teachers that refer to their classes as teaching Hatha Yoga when in fact they contain breathing exercises, meditation and a bit of relaxation techniques. In this concept none of these correctly represent the term Hatha. According to classical yoga texts, Hatha Yoga consists of only 6 Shatkarmas or arrangements of cleansing techniques:

-          Neti

-          Dhauti

-          Nauli

-          Basti

-          Kapalbhati

-          Trataka

Legendary Yogi Masters built a wide range of methods for mind and body cleansing. When performing these techniques, their only aim was to purify and balance the elements of human consciousness to the highest level for only the grandest purposes.  This was not only done for health, but the external and internal cleansing meant to enable immortality, self transcendence and enlightenment. Our current living conditions are so full of unhealthy food, and polluted air and water sources that these exact techniques can be just as effective in improving our own life quality, and to a certain degree enlighten our lives.

The nose rinsing process of sinus irrigation seems rather yucky or disgusting to most Westerners, but it is our duty to educate and explain how this method works. It is the healthiest, gentle, and natural way of cleaning out our sinuses and its inclusion into our daily routines can become effortless and extremely beneficial.