Chapter 16 – Complementary Techniques
16.1 Neti
In the ancient Sanskrit treatises of Hatha-yoga, several techniques
of inner purification are described. A group of six of them are
called the ṣat karman, or ‘six actions’, which are:
- neti, a purification of the nasal cavity
- dhauti, purification of the stomach
- basti, a variation of an enema
Apart from their local action, dhauti and basti are cleansers of the
earth and water elements throughout the body. - trātṭaka, gazing at a candle or a minute object (see 5.6)
- nauli, in which the two abdominal muscles recti abdominis are
contracted one after the other, thereby giving an impression of
rotation. Nauli is a strong stimulant of the abdominal fire, and of
the fire of the body in general. - kapālabhāti, made of a short but intense hyperventilation.
These techniques do not only purify the physical and subtle bodies,
they also awaken the body of energy and its centres. Therefore
they can all be recommended to a sincere seeker.
Of these six techniques we will dwell on the first one, neti, for it
has a direct and remarkable action on the awakening of the third
eye. Apart from its effect on the frontal chakra, neti is also said
to purify all the channels of energy in the neck and the head,
thereby having a significant healing action on any disorder located
in these areas.
In the traditional way of Hatha-yoga, neti is performed with a
long-beaked pot called a lota. The lota is filled with salt water. The
yogis bend their head to one side, and the end of the beak is
introduced in the nostril on the other side. The water is allowed to
flow through one nostril and falls out through the other. The
same operation is then repeated on the other side.
For our purpose, there is a more efficient way of performing neti
which does not require a lota (long-beaked pot):
Take a mug, or even better, a vessel or small bowl that is shorter
but wider than a mug. Fill it with lukewarm water, about the same
temperature as inside your mouth. (Use clean, purified water.) Add