Energy Channels or Nadis

                            ( Nadi Healing & Balancing, 'tube, pipe, nerve, blood vessel, pulse, नाडी)

Nadis : Body's Rivers of energy  

Nāḍī is a term for the channels through which, in traditional Indian medicine and spiritual knowledge, the energies such as prana of the physical body, the subtle body and the causal body are said to flow. Within this philosophical framework, the nadis are said to connect at special points of intensity, the chakras. All nadis are said to originate from one of two centers; the heart and the kanda, the latter being an egg-shaped bulb in the pelvic area, just below the navel. Ultimately the goal is to unblock these nadis to bring liberation.

Nadis are not nerves but subtle channels  for the flow of consciousness. The literal meaning of 'Nadi' is the flow. Just as the negative and the positive forces of electricity flows through complex circuits, in the same way Prana Shakti- vital force and Manashakti - mental force  flows through every part of our body via these Nadis. There are 72,000 channels which covers the whole body. Out of these three are main  for the control of flow of Prana  and consciousness within all the other nadis.

The breath within the breath. We need to look beyond the physical components of breath—the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other molecules that stream in and out with our every inhalation and exhalation. Beyond this breath—yet within it—is prana, the universal vital energy that is quite literally the stuff of life.

to harness this energy so it can fuel our physical, mental, and spiritual development. To do this, we need to look deeply into the mysteries of the mind and the subtle body. We have to  voyage into this inner landscape, mapping the many ways energy circulates within us. Among their most important discoveries were the nadis, the vast network of energy channels that makes each individual an integrated, conscious, and vital whole.

the fundamental nature of a nadi: to flow like water, finding the path of least resistance and nourishing everything in its path. 

The human body contains 72,000 nadis that channel prana to every cell. Some are wide and rushing; others are a mere trickle. When this system flows freely, we are vital and healthy; when it becomes weak or congested, we struggle with poor mental and physical health. The practices of hatha yoga are so effective because they strengthen the flow of prana in our bodies, invigorating the current so that it carries away obstructions that block the free flow of energy.

Because nadis—like the chakras (psycho -energetic power centers), prana, and other aspects of the subtle body—don’t show up under microscopes, medical science has relegated them to the realm of the merely metaphorical. But traditional yogis believe that the subtle body is real, and that understanding it and working with it complement and counterbalance the emphasis on gross physical anatomy that predominates our current yoga culture.

            The nadis are our energetic irrigation system; in essence, they keep us alive.

                                      The Srotas - channels in the body  are made up of Vayu. 

                                                               Simplified view of SUBTLE BODY

Introduction 

The human body is a miniature universe in itself. Hatha is composed of a syllable ha and tha ( हठयोग) & which means the sun and the moon respectively. The solar and the lunar energy is said to flow  through the two main channels (nadis);  Pingla and Ida, which starts from the right and the left nostrils respectively and move down to the base of the spine. Pingla is the nadi of the sun, while ida is the nadi of the moon. In between them is the (Susumna), the Channel (nadi) of fire, 

Ida इडा (Moon Nadi) controls mental process. Lies on the left of spine.

Pingla पिङ्गल, controls (Sun Nadi) vital processes. Lies on the right of spine, mirroring the Ida.

Sushumna सुषुम्णा,  very gracious, (kind)  awakens spiritual consciousness.

So these nadis are considered as  mental force, Pranic force and spiritual force. runs along the spinal cord in the center, through the seven chakras. When the channels are unblocked by the action of yoga, the energy of kundalini uncoils and rises up the Sushumna from the base of the spine.

The nadis play a role in yoga, as many yogic practices, including  shatkarmas  Mudras and Pranayama,  are intended to open and unblock the nadis. The ultimate aim of some yogic practices are to direct Prana into the Sushumna nadi specifically, enabling kundalini to rise, and thus bring about moksha, or liberation.

       Simplified view of SUBTLE BODY  (  सूक्ष्म शरीर )  Which run vertically in the body.

Nadis : Body's Rivers of energy

"The Nāḍis penetrate the body from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head. In them is  Prana, the breath of life and in that life abides Atman, , which is the abode of Shakti."

As stated earlier , Susumna Nadi is the main channel for the flow of nervous energy and it is situated inside the spinal column or meru danda. Pingla and Ida intersect each other and also susumna at various places. These junctions are called chakras. or wheels and regulate the body mechanism as fly-wheels regulate an engine.

As Sushumna  flows inside the central canal of the spinal cord Ida and Pingla simultaneously flows  on the outer surface of the spinal cord, still within the bony vertebral column.

The sum total of chakras form a vertical  column in our bodies called sushumna . This column is a central integrating channel for connecting the chakras  and their various dimensions. It can be thought as a "super highway" on which these energies travel, just as our asphalt highways are channeled through which physical items travel from the  manufacturer to the consumer. We could say that the susumna brings psychic energy from the "manufacturer" as pure consciousness (Divine Mind,God, Goddesses,the force, the nature, etc.) to the consumer, which is the mental and physical individual here on the earth plane. One could view the chakras as being major cities located along the highways, each responsible for producing their  own kind of goods. Rather than cities however view them as sacred chambers in the temple of the body, where the vital force of consciousness can pool together on different levels.

Travelling besides and around susumna , there are also many back roads such as the Chinese acupressure meridians and the thousands of other nadis, subtle energy conduits, which Hindus have found within the subtle body. Nadis can be thought of as alternate channels such as the telephone network, gas lines, or steam beds where we have special channels for moving certain kinds of energy, all passing through the same vortex.

Ida, Pingla and Sushumna nadis  flow begins in Mooladhara  in pelvic floor. From there Sushumna flows directly upwards within the central canal while Ida passes to the left and Pingla to the right. At Swadhishthan  Chakra  the three nadis come together again  and Ida and Pingla Crosses over  one another. Ida passes up to the right. Pingla to the left  and Sushumna continues to flow  directly upwards in the central canal. The three nadis come together again  at Manipur chakra  the Solar Plexus and so on,  Finally Ida , Pingla and Sushumna  meet at the ajna Chakra.

Ida and Pingla functions in  the body alternetely  and not simultaneously.. If we observe our nostrils  we find that  generally one is flowing  freely  and the other is blocked. When the left nostril is open  it is the lunar energy  that is ida nadi is flowing.  When the right nostril  is free the solar energy -Pingla is flowing.

Investigations have shown that  when the right nostril is flowing  the left hemisphere of the brain is activated. When the left nostril is flowing  the right hemisphere is activated.. This is how the nadis or energy  channels are controlling the brain and events of life  also consciousness.

The awakening and functioning of life force and consciousness can take place only if the central canal Sushumna  is connected with Kundalini the source of energy  which is a very rare happening.

                                                  "Winter leads to blockage of channels. "

 Hence keeping warm opens up the channels.

Processed food like sugar  and butter may not  make healthy tissues and if they are not expelled from the body, will result in toxins and blocked channels. 

Nadi is a tubular channel in the body through which energy flows. Nadi is a Sanskrit word which translates as 'tube,' 'channel,' or 'flow. ' It is used to describe the network of channels which allow energy to travel through the body. There are three principal nadis in the body which go through the spinal cord 

Nadis are pathways of Pranic, mental and spiritual currents, which form a matrix throughout the physical body. ... They provide energy to every cell, and every organ through their vast network, carrying prana back and forth in every direction.

The three principal nadis are ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. Ida (इडा, iḍā "comfort") lies to the left of the spine, whereas Pingala (पिङ्गल, Piṅgala "orange", "tawny", "golden", "solar") is to the right side of the spine, mirroring the Ida.

Functions and activities

In Yoga  theory, nadis carry Prana, life force energy. In the physical body,  the nadis are channels carrying air, water, nutrients, blood and other bodily fluids around and are similar to the  arteries, veins, bronchioles, nerves, lymph canals and so on In the subtle and the causal body, the nadis are channels for so called cosmic, vital, seminal, mental, intellectual, etc. energies (collectively described as prana) and are important for sensations, consciousness and the spiritual aura. 

Night and Day

Three nadis are of particular interest : The Sushumna (most gracious) nadi is the body’s great river, running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, passing through each of the seven chakras in its course. It is the channel through which kundalini shakti (the latent serpent power) —and the higher spiritual consciousness it can fuel—rises up from its origin at the Muladhara (root) chakra to its true home at the Sahasrara (thousand fold) chakra at the crown of the head. In subtle body terms, the Sushumna nadi is the path to enlightenment.

Caduceus :Symbol of modern medicine

Sometimes the three main nadis are related to the Caduceus of Hermes: "the two snakes of which symbolize the kundalini or serpent-fire which is presently to be set in motion along those channels, while the wings typify the power of conscious flight through higher planes which the development of that fire confers

The Ida (comfort) and Pingala (tawny) nadis spiral around the Sushumna nadi like the double helix of our DNA, crossing each other at every chakra. If you visualize the caduceus, the symbol of modern medicine, you’ll get a rough idea of the relationships among the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna nadis. Eventually, all three meet at the Ajna (command) chakra, midway between the eyebrows.

The Ida nadi begins and ends on the left side of Sushumna. Ida is regarded as the lunar nadi, cool and nurturing by nature, and is said to control all mental processes and the more feminine aspects of our personality. The color white is used to represent the subtle vibrational quality of Ida. Pingala, the solar nadi, begins and ends to the right of Sushumna. It is warm and stimulating by nature, controls all vital somatic processes, and oversees the more masculine aspects of our personality. The vibrational quality of Pingala is represented by the color red.

The interaction between Ida and Pingala corresponds to the internal dance between intuition and rationality, consciousness and vital power, and the right and left brain hemispheres. In everyday life, one of these nadis is always dominant. Although this dominance alternates throughout the day, one nadi tends to be ascendant more often and for longer periods than the other. This results in personality, behavior, and health issues that can be called Ida-like or Pingala-like.

Ida-like individuals have lunar, or nurturing, qualities but may lack the verve to sustain a strong yoga practice. They are full of potential, but unless they develop their Pingala side may never manifest that potential in either worldly affairs or spiritual development. Pingala-like individuals have solar qualities: type A personalities, lots of creativity, abundant vitality. But unless they develop their Ida side, they may lack the quietude, introspection, and receptivity necessary to yield to the grace of spiritual awakening.

The Ida and Pingala nadis are sometimes in modern readings interpreted as the two hemispheres of the brain . Pingala is the extroverted (Active), solar  nadi, and corresponds to the right hand side of the body and the left hand side of the brain. Ida is the introverted, lunar nadi, and corresponds to the left hand side of the body and the right hand side of the brain  (there is a contralateralization). These nadis are also said to have an extrasensory function, playing a part in empathetic and instinctive responses. The two nadis are believed to be stimulated through different Pranayama  practices, including nadi Shodhana, which involves alternately breathing through the left and right nostrils, which would theoretically stimulate the left and right sides of the brain respectively. 

Vajra Nadi is located within Sushumna Nadi. It initiates at the level of the Sacral Chakra and rises up from that point. Vajra Nadi is responsible for the movement of the Astral Body (Pranic movement).

The ten main nerves are Sushumna, Ida, Pingla, Ganghari, Hasti, Jiva, Poosha, Yashaswini, Alamboosha , Kuhoo and Shankhini.. 

• The nerve Shankhini would activate Mooldhara Chakra. The serpent power kundalini rises towards higher levels.

Nadis Sodhana Pranayama, also known as alternate nostril breathing, is a great way to lead into your morning meditation practice. It is a controlled breathing practice designed to purify the nadis (energy channels). There are over 72,000 nadis in the body.

72,000 Nadis

Our body consists of 72,000 Nadis (or channels). The 72,000 nadis spring from three basic nadis – the left, the right and the central – the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. The word “nadi” does not mean nerve. Nadis are pathways or channels of prana in the system.

The Three Nadis

Ida (Feminine and Creative Principle)

Ida is associated with lunar energy. The word ida means "comfort" in Sanskrit.. Idā has a moon like nature and feminine energy with a cooling effect. It courses from the left testicle to the left nostril and corresponds to the Ganges river. 

Pingala (Masculine and Analytical Principle)

Pingala is associated with solar energy. The word Pingala means "orange" or "tawny" in Sanskrit. Pingala has a sun like nature and masculine energy. Its temperature is heating and courses from the right testicle to the right nostril. It corresponds to the river Yamuna. 

The Ida and Pingala nadis are often seen as referring to the two hemispheres of the brain. Pingala is the extroverted, solar nadi, and corresponds to left hemisphere. Ida is the introverted, lunar nadi, and refers to the right hemisphere of the brain. Ida nadi controls all the mental processes while Pingala nadi controls all the vital processes.

Sushumna (Gracious Principle)

Sushumna interpenetrates the cerebrospinal axis, and in  swara yoga  is associated with both nostrils being open and free to the passage of air. The lunar channel Ida is pale in color and located on the left side. It is associated with feminine attributes, the moon and an open left nostril. The solar channel Pingala is red in color and located on the right side. It is associated with masculine attributes, the light of the sun, and an open right nostril. Sushumna connects the base chakra to the crown chakra.  It is important in Yoga. In Raja Yoga  or Yoga of Patanjali, when the mind is quietened through the Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas  and Pranayama, the important state of Pratyahara  begins. A person entering this state never complains of Dispersion of Mind. This is characterized by observing the movements/jerks in Sushumna in the subtle body.

The practices of Yoga work together to force Prana into the central Sushumna channel, allowing  Kundalini to rise, leading to Moksha, liberation. The  Shatkarmas purify the nadis, while the Mudras  trap prana, and other practices (not shown) force the prana out of the Ida and Pingala channels.

Unblocking The Channels

The purpose of Yoga  is Moksha, liberation and hence immortality in the state of  Samadhi  union, which is the meaning of "yoga".  This is obstructed by blockages in the nadis, which allow the vital air, Prana  to languish in the Ida and Pingala channels. The unblocking of the channels is therefore a vital function of yoga. The various practices of yoga, including the preliminary purification or Satkarmas,  the yogic seals or mudras, visualization, breath restraint or Pranayama, and the repetition of mantras work together to force the prana to move from the Ida and Pingala into the central Sushumna channel. The mudras in particular close off various openings, thus trapping prana and directing it towards the Sushumna. This allows  Kundalini to rise up the Sushumna channel, leading to liberation.

Unblocking the channels also leads to other benefits like better sleep, oxygen intake, and heart health.

Creating Equilibrium

Bringing ida and pingala into equilibrium is a major focus of hatha yoga—so important, in fact, that the term hatha symbolizes this balance. Although the word hatha literally means “forceful” in Sanskrit, it is composed of ha and tha, two esoteric bija (seed) mantras that have arcane meaning and power. Ha represents the solar qualities, the vital force, of pingala; tha represents the mind and the lunar qualities of ida. Balancing sun and moon, or pingala and ida, facilitates the awakening and arising of kundalini, and thus the awakening of higher consciousness. In fact, some yoga teachings hold that as long as either ida or pingala predominates, sushumna stays closed and the power of kundalini lies dormant.

The most powerful method of balancing ida and pingala is Nadi Shodhana, alternate-nostril breathing. (Literally, the Sanskrit means “nadi cleansing.”) This practice is effective because the ida nadi is directly connected to the left nostril, and the pingala nadi to the right. A few rounds of this basic Pranayama technique at the end of an asana practice are an excellent way to help restore equilibrium between the two nadis and to compensate for any imbalance you may have inadvertently caused during your practice.

Coming into Balance

To practice Nadi Shodhana, sit in a comfortable meditative position. Make a fist with your right hand, then partially re-extend your ring and little fingers. Lightly place the pad of the thumb on your nose just to the right and below the bridge; lightly place the pads of your ring and little fingers on the corresponding flesh on the left side of your nose. Gently pressing with the ring and little fingers to close the left nostril, exhale fully through the right. Then inhale fully through the right, close it with the thumb, release the left nostril, and exhale through it. Inhale through the left nostril, close it with the fingers, release the right nostril, and exhale through it. This completes one round of Nadi Shodhana.

Benefits :

- Revitalization
- Enhanced Lung Function
- Lung Cleansing
- Calmness
- Soothed Nervous System
- Temperature Regulation
- Enhanced Sleep Quality

In addition to using Nadi Shodhana, you can experiment with using the asanas themselves as a method of balancing Ida and Pingala. At the beginning of a practice, sit and observe your breath to see which nostril—and, hence, which nadi—is dominant. (If you can’t tell, try a few rounds of alternate-nostril breathing—it should be immediately clear which side is freer and which feels more inhibited). If the left nostril dominates, Ida is in charge, and you might consider focusing your attention on invigorating asanas—such as back-bends, standing poses, inversions, and twists—to engage the Pingala nadi. If the right nostril dominates, the cooling, calming energy of seated poses and forward bends might be most beneficial.

You can also bring awareness of Ida and Pingala into any asana practice by pausing between poses to notice which nadi dominates your breathing. Notice your mind-states as well; you will find they closely correlate with which nadi is ascendant. Are you agitated and active (Pingala-like) or calm and receptive (Ida-like)? Through this checking-in process, you can begin to identify which poses activate one nadi or the other, and which are particularly effective—for you, at least—in creating physical and emotional equilibrium. You’ll also be developing your awareness, deepening your practice, and clearing the way for your spiritual growth.

Great Seal (Maha Mudra) (महा मुद्रा )

Mahāmudrā literally means maha -  great or noble  and mudra -  means shutting, closing or sealing. In this sitting posture the aperture at the top and the bottom  of the trunk are held fast and sealed.

Formation :

Sit and stretch the left leg. Bend the right knees so that the right heel touches the anus While taking a long breath forward and hold the toe of the left leg.Try and touch the tip of the nose to the left knee and hold the breath for few seconds.Then exhale slowly and come back to the original position. Perform the same way with the right leg. This is Maha Mudra.

Effect :

Maha Mudra helps in activating kundalini Shakti. Sushumna nerve gets activated. Inspiring Kundalini to rise towards higher chakras. Practice this mudra 10 minutes.

Benefits :

• Constant practice of Maha Mudra  may improve Tuberculosis, leprosy, Ulcers at anus, piles also controls diabetes.
• Body and mind becomes radiant because of Sushumna nerve getting activated.

TRIPHALA

As an immunity booster : Triphala clears the micro channels in the body, builds immunity and banishes allergies, cough, cold, and fevers.  Triphala is an ancient herbal mix , a combination of powder form of three fruits Amla , haritaki and bhibitaki. It offers solutions to various health and body conditions.

Black pepper (Kali mirch) / Piper nigrum

Intake of this fine powder mixed with ghee, honey and sugar relieves shortness of breath and clears the channels.

Blockage of channels

CURD

• Despite being beneficial, normally curd has a tendency to block channels. Hence eating curds at night should be avoided as one has to sleep after dinner.. The digestive process continues at a very slow pace during sleep. Even healthy should avoid eating curd at night. Patient of Asthma, cough, cold, sinusitis,  arthritis and fever must not eat curds even during the day as these disorders are caused due to the blocking  of the srotas- channels.

 Winter Season

  Winter leads to blockage of channels. Hence keeping warm opens up the channels.