Allergy sufferers, I empathize with you! How can we comfortably slip into ujjai amidst the congestion and perpetual sneezing? Los Angeles sizzles under the arid and gusty spell of the Santa Ana winds this fall season and allergy sufferer or not everyone I talk to notices some effect on their bodies from our crazy climate. Slathering on extra layers of moisturizer becomes a necessary extra step in my daily routine. Hydrating well is also another important thing to consider especially physically active people. Not only does the dry heat whip you across the face, but it also depletes essential fluids and nutrients from your body. I am always sipping on coconut water during ballet class or rehearsals because it hydrates better than water. For those of you who do suffer from hay fever or seasonal allergies I discovered something that helped me tremendously: the neti pot! Neti potting is an ancient form of nasal irrigation used in the Ayurvedic tradition. Neti potting is becoming much more main stream in the western culture these days.  The neti pot is a little glass teapot that you fill with 8oz of warm water and then dilute ¼ tablespoon of natural sea salt in the water. The water shouldn’t be too hot, but pleasant. Standing over a sink take the tea pot holding the spout up to one nostril and tilt your head away from that nostril and slowly let the water pour out the teapot and into your nose. You control the intensity by leaning your head more or less to the side. As the water flows in it swishes and rinses out your sinuses before it exits out the other nostril. Repeat for both nostrils. Using your neti pot can be a little messy the first time and takes a little getting used to but after several attempts it becomes easy as pie. Bye Bye allergies, hello clean crisp air...who am I kidding, I live in LA.