The Neti Pot Solution

By Slava Surya Kolpakov

As we approach the colder time of the year, many people turn to natural ways to prevent colds, sinus infections, and the flu. In the U.S., sinus problems are the #1 reason people see a doctor. Have you ever gotten water in your nose when swimming in the ocean? Do you remember how the salt water cleans out your nose better than anything else?

Nasal cleansing, or Neti, does just that. Jala Neti refers to cleansing the nasal passages with water and has been used by practitioners of Ayurveda and yoga for thousands of years. A simple yet very powerful technique, Jala Neti works wonders for chronic sinusitis, and allergies. It has a remarkable effect on upper respiratory tract infections dislodging and washing out allergens, dust, and other pollutants. You will be surprised at how easy it is to perform.

Ideally, a Neti pot should be used. A Neti pot can be found at your local Whole Foods Market or a yoga studio. First, make the saline solution: dilute a pinch of non-iodized salt in a glass of filtered body-temperature water. Pour the saline water into the Neti pot.

Over a sink, tilt the head forward and to the side so that one side of the nose is higher than the other. Insert the spout of the Neti pot into the upper nostril. Let the water run into the nostril, through the sinuses, and out the other nostril for a few seconds. Switch sides a couple of times.

A burning sensation indicates that too much salt was used, or the water is too cold or too hot. In between and after the rounds, blow the nose gently to cleanse any mucus. When finished, dry the nostrils with gentle Kapalabhati breathing, each nostril separately and then both at the same time.

Happy Neti!

Meditation

By Pat Iyer

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, my backaches, my mind races, thoughts darting in and out of my consciousness…did someone say that this is easy and supposed to be good for me? For many people, sitting in silence, freeing the mind is no easy task. We are a nation of movers and shakers, making each moment count. The quiet of our cars is filled with music, talk radio, or a ringing of the cell phone and we are so conditioned to filling ourselves instead of emptying. Meditation need not be a chore but integrated in something we can do for ourselves each day. The practice of meditation is merely to be mindful of our surroundings and ourselves so that we exist totally in the here and now, in this very moment in a way that does not distract but opens.

There are many ways to meditate. Sitting on a cushion in the silence is not the only way to rest the mind from all of the clutter we hold on to. Indeed meditation can be done through mindful activ ity like prayer, the repetition of “mantras” or words whereby we focus on the energy of the word to clear our mind, focusing on our breath and listening to the voices of our body and soul. The benefits of meditation can also be experienced through activity that requires our body movement. Walking meditation has long been practiced as a way to mindfully engage the body, totally focusing on each step you take. Doing any activity whereby you are totally engaged in what you are doing and freeing your being are forms of meditation. Exercise can even been a form of meditation for focusing on your body processes and movement clears the mind to infill you, rejuvenate you, and connect you. Any artistic endeavor, music, gardening, even housework can free the mind while working the body. The key is exploring the paradox of being mindful and mindless, creating a balance between engaging the self and freeing our thoughts.

The benefits of meditation are well documented. Decreasing stress and anxiety, reducing p ain or blood pressure, opening ourselves up to our inner wisdom and freeing our mind from the prison of our thoughts are just a few of them. The most difficult aspect of meditation is not the sitting and being still but merely taking the time to do so and discovering a way that works best for our own individual nature, not being discouraged by attempts that make it difficult to connect.

Make time to connect, free yourself for in that freedom comes the discovery of a world that is truly yours.

395 Washington St Braintree, MA 02184

Braintree T Station (Approx 3/4mile)~ Take left out of Station until you reach Union Street. Take left on Union Street, go under the overpass, and go to end where you'll come to Washington Street. Take right on Washington Street. Open Doors is 3/4 mile on left, directly across from Seven-Eleven.

West of Braintree~ Take Route 95N to Exit 12 onto 93 North (or Route 128 South). Keep to your right going towards Route 3 South. Take the first Exit (Exit 18) on Route 3 South (Braintree, Washington Street, Adams T-Station Exit). At the end of the exit take a right onto Washington Street. OPEN DOORS is one block past the second set of lights (1/4 mile on the right), directly across from the Seven-Eleven.

Boston or North of Braintree~ Take Route 3 South. Take the first Exit on Route 3 South (Braintree, Washing Street, Adams T-Station Exit). At the end of the exit, take a right onto Washing Street. OPEN DOORS is one block past the second set of lights (1/4 mile on the right), directly across from the Seven-Eleven.

South of Braintree~ Take Route 3 North. Take the first Braintree exit (Union Street). Go 1/2 way around the rotary and exit right onto Union Street and follow to the end. Take a right onto Washington Street. OPEN DOORS is about 1/2 mile on the left, 2 blocks past the second set of lights. OPEN DOORS is directly across from the Seven-Eleven. There is ample additional free parking at the municipal parking lot behind OPEN DOORS.