Brian Thompson said:

This is something I myself need to look into as I continue to have sinus type problems.  It is the worst for me in the winter months, summer brings relief.  Especial after workingout and sweating and the cold air hitting my face really seems to have an affect.  I am wondering if this practice woudl help even in those times.

Is this the correct website for Baba?  ** you don't have permission to see this link **

Neti Kriya is a proven technique for avoiding colds, sinuses, improving eyesight and hearing power. People who practice neti rarely have a headache, this coupled with Bhastrika and Kapalabhati pranayams (breathing exercises) will surely relieve you of the irritating sinus problem that you are having. Though I have caught colds - this is because I am careless - but I have rarely if ever had a headache or a cough. Sinus is a highly avoidable problem, it robs a person of energy and enthusiasm, makes the face puffy and gives a tired look. Also there are many muscles in the chest and the abdomen that get exercised by these breathing techniques, they become a very effective tool for fighting obesity, asthma, diabetes and high BP/cholesterol. People who regularly and extensively practice the above breathing techniques soon get cleared of arterial blockages.

I am sure you have visited Baba Ramdev, he is 65, no wrinkles or grey hair and laughs like a boy. His emphasis is on Pranayams and Ayurvedic Medicine. Do follow him he is an authority on yoga and internationally a huge success.

I read in the news that 60 to 120 million Americans are going to suffer from symptoms of swine flu this year and up to 90,000 could loose their lives. I shiver to think of my country, we have four times your population and just do not have the same hyegiene conditions. I was very serious of my recommendations on avoidance of swine flu through practicing neti, it is worth the effort and will surely improve the quality of life of the practitioner. Even if one is fearful of trying neti I suggest when you shower, just cup your palms under the nose and try drinking a little water through it by making a sucking action with the base of the tongue. Or else take a little warm saline water in the mouth and expel it through the nose. Sounds difficult? Actually easier than brushing the teeth.

Of late the environment has been plagued by a large number of problems which have assumed pandemic proportions, namely Bird and Swine Flu. These and similar problems are here to stay. So it may be worth our while to address these problems both as society and individuals. The UN and various countries are doing what they can for their people but we as individuals can do a great deal to keep ourselves and our families free from the deadly virus.

First and foremost I am not a doctor but a layman, so anyone who wants to accept my views should evaluate them on scales of common sense, and accept them only if they appeal. As I understand if dust is collecting on a table all we need to do is to keep wiping it at regular intervals and the table should stay clean. Most air borne virus are located in the nasal cavity and the throat, of course swine flu goes down to the lungs.  If we keep the nose and throat clean, no virus should affect a normally healthy person.

In yoga there are cleaning exercises. The most basic exercise is Jal Neti . In this exercise warm water mixed with  a little salt is taken in a utensil shaped like a tea kettle. Bend down, turn the head in one direction, the spout of the kettle is put in the nostril on the top, the warm saline water is poured into this nostril and it flows out of the other nostril. The process is repeated with the other nostril. As the water flows through the nose it gives a very thourough wash to the nose and the sinuses. Have no fear as the warm water is very comforting. After the wash the water in the nose should be removed by turning the head in either direction in a bent position. Some breathing exercises called Kapal Bhati & Bhastrika done after this nasal cleaning exercise expel all remaining drops of water in the sinuses. In modifications of this exercise, water milk and clarified butter can be drunk through the nose.

Immediately on completing this exercise one feels a new pleasure in breathing, the head becomes very light and the sinuses become clear. They say a person who regularly practices neti never has cold, headache or insomnia. We all suffer from the effects of air pollution, if neti is done after a hard days work, it washes off the effects of excessive spm in the air. The breathing exercises advised above help keep the trachea and the sinuses dry. One finds that there is no cough and little formation of phlegm. These breathing exercise are a superb workout for the abdomen, chest, lungs, diaphragm, neck and facial muscles. For a demonstration of the breathing exercises do visit the website of Baba Ramdev an Indian Yoga Guru. These exercises should help us ward off many modern day ailments.

It is recommended that the above exercises be learned from someone has been practicing them regularly.

Warm Regards

Ravi