Nasal congestion upon getting close to the floor

Greetings,

Upon beginning sun salutations, at home, my nose becomes completely blocked within seconds of my first down dog. This only occurs in the front room, as far as I can tell, though no other room in the house affords enough space to practice. After 30 - 45 minutes, it’ll clear up enough to consider ujjayi but until then, I can only breathe through my mouth.

I’ve been visiting a studio recently and I never have any trouble there. I don’t experience any problems, home or elsewhere, other than when I try to practice yoga. Obviously, quite frustrating.

In this room is an Ikea couch (synthetic), an area rub (synthetic) and a fireplace. The floors are wood. There are a couple of candles on the mantle and a pillow or two on the couch. That’s it! None of these things seem to irritate my sinus when I shove my face in them deliberately. However, 2 seconds after inverting and I’m unable to breathe. If I assault my nasal cavities with afrin, I can avoid the symptoms but I’d rather find the cause.

Does anyone have any suggestions that might help to isolate the irritant? I’m not able to clear that room of its furniture. I could try to move furniture in another room to practice but that will make my practice that much harder to maintain.

I have been practicing yoga, with some interruption, for more than 10 years. I’ve never had this issue before. In fact, any congestion I experienced usually cleared up with persistent ujjayi breathing by the third sun salutation.

thanks in advance

The culprit may be dust mites; they collect and breed in fabrics. Neti pot before and after may give some relief.

Levous,
The problem you are facing is also the problem with some of my clients. I observed, in them, something on floor e.g. dust, fabrics, chemicles used in polishing the furniture/wooden floor, and; etc. have been causes of the problem. Other factors that triggered their problems were having polyps in nasal passage, deviated septum (bony growth inside the nostrill), congestion in the chest or abdominal cavaty, etc.
I aggree with above contributor on advising Nethi (Jala). In addition, Taila Nethi (pouring two drops of clarified butter or musturd oil or almond oil into each of nostrills at bed time and after taking a bath in the moning and; Anuloma-viloma (Nari-shodhan pranayama) without holding breathing for 5 to 10 rounds will definitely benefit.