Unblocking Breath, Unblocking Life: The Link Between Jalaneti, Deviated Septum, and Taking Action

Introduction

A friend of mine recently asked me about Jalaneti Kriya—a nasal cleansing technique using warm salted water—to help with his deviated septum. He was recommended this practice by an Ayurveda practitioner, but he was concerned about potential side effects.

Instead of giving a simple yes or no, I explained that the effects of Jalaneti depend on how, when, and why it is done. Factors like technique, frequency, body readiness, and underlying imbalances all play a role.

However, as we discussed further, something deeper emerged—his hesitation to even begin the practice. That hesitation wasn’t just a passing thought; it was part of a larger mind-body connection. His deviated septum, blocking the right nostril, seemed to mirror a psychological and energetic hesitation in his life.

This case study explores the physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of breath, action, and healing—while also emphasizing the importance of proper technique, the role of willpower, and why personalized guidance is crucial in practices like Jalaneti.

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Understanding Jalaneti and Its Impact on a Deviated Septum

What Is Jalaneti?

Jalaneti is a yogic kriya that involves passing warm saline water through the nostrils to cleanse the nasal passages. It is known for its benefits, such as:

✔ Clearing sinus congestion

✔ Enhancing breathing efficiency

✔ Reducing allergy symptoms

✔ Supporting respiratory health

✔ Balancing the nervous system

For people with a deviated septum (a condition where the nasal passage is misaligned, making it harder to breathe through one nostril), Jalaneti can be beneficial if done correctly.

The Importance of Technique and Guidance

A major issue I see is that many people Google techniques like Jalaneti, find general instructions, and start practicing on their own. However, without understanding the intricacies of the technique, they risk:

❌ Incomplete cleansing—leading to water retention in the sinuses, which can cause infections.

❌ Compensatory movements—where the body unknowingly adjusts in ways that disrupt the intended benefit.

❌ Unnecessary strain—leading to headaches, dizziness, or nasal irritation.

Even if a person follows all the steps described in a book or video, their body’s patterns, posture, and compensatory habits can make them do it incorrectly without realizing it.

A trained teacher, someone with experience in working with different bodies and cases, can immediately catch and correct improper technique—something you may never notice on your own. The mind tends to assume we are doing it right, but without a trained external observer, we simply don’t know what we don’t know.

That is why seeking personalized guidance is invaluable, especially for deeper yogic practices like Jalaneti, breathwork, and kriyas. If a person has a deviated septum, sinus issues, or any other condition, a personalized approach ensures:

✅ The technique is adapted to their specific needs.

✅ They get real-time corrections to avoid unintended harm.

✅ They receive a systematic approach that prepares the body gradually.

🔹 If you're interested in learning how to practice Jalaneti and other kriyas safely and effectively, I offer personalized guidance. Click [here] to explore my programs.

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The Bigger Picture: Breath and Action Are Interconnected

When my friend shared that he had a deviated septum blocking his right nostril, I immediately saw a connection—not just physiologically but psychologically and energetically.

In yogic science, the right nostril is linked to Pingala Nadi, which governs the sympathetic nervous system—responsible for action, drive, and decisiveness. A blocked right nostril can indicate hesitation, inertia, or difficulty initiating action in life.

And that’s exactly what I saw in him. When I offered to teach him basic breathing techniques to help initiate his journey of healing from the symptoms of deviated septum, his response was:

"I am hesitant."

I recognized that his physical blockage and behavioral hesitation were mirroring each other.

🔹 To learn how to get past this blockage at the root level physically and mentally, continue reading further.

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Why This Hesitation Matters: The Mind-Body Loop

A deviated septum can be seen as more than just a structural issue; according to the psychology of health and illnesses, it may also reflect an energetic and psychological pattern. Whether this condition was present at birth or developed due to trauma, it shaped his way of engaging with life.

From a spiritual perspective, such imbalances may be by design—challenges we are meant to work through in this lifetime.

The paradox is this:

- If someone is hesitant to act, how will they even start the physical process of healing?

- But without addressing the physical, how will they shift the mental block?

This creates a loop where the mind and body reinforce each other. The key is breaking the loop by consciously taking small actions to engage the body and rewire the mind. What helps achieve this is the willpower to do better than you are currently.

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The Role of Mind Reprogramming in Physical Healing

My Journey with Allergies

Despite years of practicing yoga including Jalaneti, breathwork, and body-centered poses, my allergies persisted for most part of my life. At times, they even worsened.

It was only when I addressed mental sensitivity—the way my mind reacted to situations, people, and emotions—that my physical allergies reduced.

Just as physical allergies are sensitivities to external substances, mental allergies are sensitivities to life experiences—certain behaviors, situations, or patterns that trigger an emotional response.

When I reprogrammed my mind, my body no longer needed to express those sensitivities through allergies. The intensity, frequency, and duration of my symptoms reduced significantly.

🌀 If you are struggling with hesitation, emotional sensitivity, or recurring physical symptoms, I also offer workshops at the mind level to help you go deeper into reprogramming these patterns. You can explore these programs [here].

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The Role of Willpower: The First Step Toward Change

While technique and guidance are crucial, they mean nothing if one does not have the willpower to change.

Many people remain stuck in the same patterns—not because they lack knowledge, but because they lack the inner push to reject their current state of being.

If you have spent years feeling stuck, hesitant, or unable to breathe freely, at some point, you must make a choice:

• Either continue living the way you are living—accepting your limitations, discomforts, and hesitations,

• Or decide that you will no longer tolerate it—and take the first step toward change but with patience and determination to work towards the end goal.

This shift in willpower is the true starting point of healing.

Too often, we wait for the "right time" to change. But real transformation begins when you tell yourself:

🚫 “I refuse to live like this anymore.”

✅ “I am ready to take action.”

The Power of Willpower in Breathwork

Breath is directly linked to how we engage with life. A blocked right nostril (and Pingala Nadi) can mean hesitation to act, but just as important is the decision to push past that hesitation.

This is where many people struggle. They want to heal, they want to breathe freely, but they don’t realize that a part of them is still holding onto the old way of being.

Healing starts when you actively reject stagnation.

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A Two-Way Healing Approach

1. Body-to-Mind Approach: Preparing for Jalaneti

Instead of starting with Jalaneti right away, I recommended:

• Simple Breathing Techniques (Surya Bhedana Pranayama—right-nostril breathing) to activate Pingala Nadi with the right technique and guidance if he is able to breathe properly first.

• Practices for Postural Alignment to ensure proper breathing with good diaphragm expansion and avoid compensatory tension.

• Mild Nasal Cleansing techniques like steam inhalation before progressing to full Jalaneti.

• Guided practice with a trained teacher to ensure correct technique.

2. Mind-to-Body Approach: Overcoming Hesitation

• Recognizing the Pattern: Understanding that hesitation is not just a habit but a reflection of blocked energy.

• Taking Small Actions: Deliberately making decisions without overthinking to rewire action-based behavior.

• Engaging in Challenges: Saying yes to new experiences, even in small ways, to train the nervous system to act.

• Journaling and Reflection: Observing moments of hesitation and pushing through them.

The results may not coming immediately but continuing to attempt while focussing on small efforts everytime will help one reach their goal.

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Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Jalaneti and other kriyas are powerful tools, but, they must be learned and practiced correctly for true transformation. If you:

• Are struggling with breathing issues, allergies, or a deviated septum,

• Feel stuck in patterns of hesitation or overthinking,

• Want to learn safe and effective yoga and kriya practices,

💡 I offer one-on-one coaching, structured courses, and guided workshops to help you integrate these practices properly. If you’re ready to go deeper, you can explore my programs [here].

🔹 Your breath is not just about oxygen—it’s about how you engage with life itself. Learn to unblock your breath, and you unlock your potential.