Pranayama and sinus issues

[zazenist]

I know that one of my biggest problems - in yoga, in meditation, in general - is good breathing. I have always had big issues with my sinuses, and it's almost always true that I have to breathe through my mouth because I can't get enough air through my nose. I've been evaluated for allergies numerous times, and took shots when I was a kid. I've also tried pretty much every OTC and prescription treatment for sinusitis over the years, and none of them have ever been very helpful. I've tried lots of dietary modifications, eliminations, etc and that has also not really provided any relief. I know that I have a fairly seriously deviated septum, and ENT docs have suggested I have it repaired surgically, but I've always resisted that. The most helpful thing has been a neti pot, but it far from eliminates the problem. But I feel that my breathing situation is negatively impacting my general well-being and is definitely holding back my spiritual progress. Can anyone make some suggestions as to what might help?

[Chestnut]

Have you tried Acupuncture? I go to an acupuncturist for tennis elbow, but one of the biggest ailments she treats in her clinic is allergies. She uses other methods of treatment depending on what the problem is, so needles aren't necessarily involved every time. You may want to look into it.
good luck!
Caroline

[Nichole]

you have tried many things to help with or to correct your breathing issues with no lasting or effective results.
you have acknowledged that it is negatively impacting your general well-being and is definitely holding back you spiritual progress.

if this is all true; may i ask you why are you resisting a surgical repair for your deviation? my loving suggestion for you is to dig deep into this question--you don't have to share what comes up on the forum unless you'd feel that it would benefit you in this work. this question and your answers are all for your benefit.

kind wishes for your good work,

[zazenist]

Thank you for the input so far.

Nichole: It's not psychological resistance, but practical. I have some health issues that make surgery of any kind risky, and there's a sort of drawn out process I'd have to go through before I could have anything like that done. It's not like I can say "well, sign me up for next week." Up to this point, it hasn't seemed worth the risk since the sinus problems aren't causing any other problems, medically. But I am now starting to wonder if I have exhausted my other options with relieving the sinusitis and should start preparing for the surgery since I am feeling increasingly stunted by it spiritually. If there are no other options, then I have to start coming to terms with the operation.

with metta...

[Nichole]

Zazenist,
I didn't know the term metta, or that it is synonymous with a term I did know--maitri, until I looked it up after becoming curious about your use of it. Thank you for sparking that--I have a real fondness of words.

With my respect, I was not suggesting that it was a psychological resistance, as I have very little education in psychology and no training to apply it in practice. I try to stay in integrity around that. After reading your post, my feeling, or my instinct, of what would be helpful to you was to suggest that you become curious about yourself and your resistance (to use your word) to the corrective surgery. Please know that I am not suggesting anything other than for you to be curious, to ask questions and to observe yourself. I can see very clearly that you are thoughtful and considerate. I can also see very clearly that you have a tremendous desire for Spirit and that you have almost worked this out already on your own because of that. As my mentor, Mukunda Stiles, reminds me so often: That which you seek, seeks you.

Kind wishes,

[Pandara]

Hi Zazenist,

My birth sign is Taurus and as such I have a few sinus problems as well, not as severe as yours, but still. Taurus rules the sinusses, throat, lower jaw as well as the cerebullum, liver and gall bladder. The Tissue Salt for the sign is Nat Sulp and nat sulph works specifically with the elimination if excess fluid from the body of which cattarh is one such fluid. I have found that a combination of the following tissues salts give great relieve for me: nat sulph and calc sulph usually helps a lot to alleviate the congestion and opens the nasal passages, especially my post nasal drip. Tissue Salts are completely natural, it is actually the twelve most important building minerals of your body and any imbalance in their composition in your body usually leads to a physical manifestation such as sinus problems etc. If you can provide me with your birth sign, I might be able to help you in getting the correct combination as I base my use of the Tissue Salts on Astrology.

I also find, as being said in this thread, that accupuncture helps a lot when my sinusses are severely blocked. Have you tried accupuncture yet?

However, I think you also have to explore the surgery thing a bit deeper, it sounds to me as well that your problem is more due to a physical situation and once you have explored and exhausted all the avenues availalble to you and none has brought significant relief, you might perhaps consider surgery.

I have spoken before of Tissue Salts on this forum, but find that very few people actually know about it, so perhaps it is worth your while to investigate. Tissue Salts are cheap and easy to use and completely natural. I treat most of my minor ailments with Tissue Salts with great success and saving me a lot of money.

Good luck.

[InnerAthlete]

Have you considered a dairy-free diet and neti once a week?

[justwannabe]

some people do netti with a string, if the neti pot does not clean out strong enough then maybe this is an option for you. also, have you tried single nostril breathing? Just a thought
seeker

[zazenist]

Thank yo so much for all the suggestions - I am truly appreciative.

Nichole - please don't worry, I never felt negative at all about any of your comments. They have been very helpful to me, and I thank you very much for your kindness. Metta is a term that's exchanged among the Buddhists I know - you're right, synonymous with maitri - it just sounds so wonderful to bless someone that way when you are taking leave, etc.

Pandara - I am not at all familiar with Tissue salts, so I thank you for giving me something else to look into. I have tried acupuncture, though for another ailment, so I agree that it's worth trying again for the sinus issues.

InnerAthlete - I have tried a dairy free diet - I was a strict vegan for about a year, but I never felt that it positively impacted my sinus issues. I do use a neti pot every day, and it has been the most helpful thing out of everything I've tried over the years.

tubeseeker - No, I haven't tried one nostril breathing - thank you for another suggestion of something to try.

I am seeing an ear nose & throat specialist today, getting a second? third? opinion, so maybe I will know something helpful after that.

Metta to all, and thank you again for your help!

[InnerAthlete]

Please do not do Neti with cloth or string unless you are being instructed to do so by a senior teacher who is there with you while you are doing. The risk of nasal infection is much higher and really not worth the benefit.

[victw]

I have noticed that during the winter pranayama becomes increasingly difficult for me. I suspect that it is related to the forced heat that dries out the air. I run a humidifier to keep the moistue in the air. I do not use the neti - but do use a saline solution as a nasal spray - I think of it as neti on the go.

I know this is probably an overly simplistic view of what for you is frustrating problem.

What I found more alarming was this idea that your difficulties in pranayama prevent your spiritual evolution.

I know the sutras include pranayama as a tool. But there are other tools. Have you discussed this problem with a senior teacher?

Best wishes.
Vic