Adore Yoga Blog

It must be spring. The red eyes, runny nose and itching throat are dead giveaways. Every year it used to be the same, I’d suffer with the symptoms of hayfever until I couldn’t stand it any longer and dosed myself with anti-histamines. Then I discovered Jala Neti.

Neti is one of six yoga cleansing techniques (shatkarma) that are designed to purify the body and balance the flow of prana, or energy. It’s basically a nasal wash, but the technique is infinitely superior to the commercial ‘nose squirty’ products that I’d tried before.

All you need is a neti pot (you can buy one for $9 from Adore), some non-iodized salt and warm water. The neti pot is like a tiny teapot. You fill it with body-temperature water, add a teaspoon of salt and mix the two together. Then place the end of the neti pot's spout gently inside your right nostril, creating a seal. Tilting the head so your left ear is parallel with the sink, tip the neti pot up so that the water travels along the right nostril, across the septum and down the left nostril, from where it flows in to the sink.

When the pot is empty, repeat the technique on the second side. Then gently blow your nose a few times to remove any excess water. That’s all there is to it.

It doesn’t hurt and you won’t drown (you breathe through your mouth) and if the water does go down your throat the first time you try it, spit it out and try again, just tilt your head over a bit more so your ear is closer to the sink.

If you’re still not sure, take a look at this instructional video.

In parts of India, Jala Neti is practiced daily. Rather than just using it as a cure when you’re experiencing allergies or congestion (it works for colds too), neti is a powerful preventative medicine and a daily cleanse will help keep you sniffle free.

You can buy a neti pot from Adore, or speak to an expert Adore Yoga teacher about learning how to do this safe and effective cleansing practise.

Have you tried Jala Neti? How has it helped you combat allergy or cold symptoms?

"Auyrveda, India's traditional system of healing, teaches that living in harmony with the seasons is key to our health and wellbeing. I've invited Amanda Fraser, nutritionist with organicfood.com.au, to tell us about the best food to eat right now."
Nikola

All fruits and vegetables are at their best at a particular time of year. It therefore makes sense that they be consumed at their peak, when their tastes, colours and textures are in full bloom. Taking advantage of nature’s goodness in this way is also an important part of sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Fresh fruits and vegetables in season are unbeatable in terms of diversity, taste and nutritional value!

Spring is a time for new beginnings, when the flowers bloom, the animals come out of hiding, and when the sun graces us with its warmth.  Our delectable fruits and vegetables grow in variety providing us with much needed taste and colour.   Citrus fruits are at their end but are still available - juicy and delicious.  We start to see the beginning of our much loved strawberries, mulberries and blueberries.  Pineapples and Paw Paws are at their peak.  Spring is a time for the unbeatable green leafy greens and also beetroot.

After spring cleaning the house and the car, spring is definitely a time for ‘body spring cleaning’.  What better way to do it than to do it with all that nature has to offer: 

Water is the best cleanser.  Start the day with lemon and hot water – a great liver nudge and a great start to a healthy day. Continue with 8 cups throughout the day.  This helps eliminate all those toxins that winter may have left behind.  It also helps our cells rejuvenate themselves and get working efficiently again. 

Dandelion has a great effect on detoxification of the liver - luckily this comes in a conveniently packaged tea – easy! 
Pineapples contain bromelain which is great for digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Avoid all processed foods such as cereals, cakes, biscuits and replace with whole foods such as wholegrains, seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Fruit and Veges contain antioxidants.  These help to combat those free radicals and are an excellent cleanser. Cosume a variety 2-4 fruits and 3-6 veges per day.