Nadis: Pranic Energy Channels of the Body

In a previous article on the physiology of yoga, I wrote about Pancha Kosha (the five layers of existence) and mentioned the topic of the Nadis or energy channels. In this article, I’ll talk about Nadis in a little more detail. Remember this is a very basic overview written for those just entering the subject of yoga physiology and tantra practice.

In classical yoga physiology, nadis are energy pathways that form a matrix throughout the human body. These channels are not considered physical, measurable, or dissectable structures. They are “that which underlies and sustains life within the body.” In higher states of meditation and yoga practice, nadis can be perceived as flows of light, heat, color, or sound.

The nadis are conduits of Prana (Qi or life force). Classical texts suggest that there are between 72,000 and 7.2 million nadis. These are large numbers and are more philosophical than practical. For our practice, we will deal with only five main Nadis: Ida, Pingala, Arohan, Awarohan, and Sushuma. With regard to our practices, these channels are the main conduits for the flow of energy.

• Sushuma: the central channel, runs from the mooladhara chakra near the perinium to the top of the head and is considered the channel of balance.
• Ida Nadi: it follows a path to the left side of the body and represents the moon or cold energy.
• Pingala Nadi: runs down the right side of the body and represents the sun or hot energy.
• Arohan Nadi: travels across the front of the body between mooladhara chakra and the top of the head.
• Awarohan Nadi: travels down the back of the body between the top of the head and the mooladhara at the base of the body.

(These last two channels, the Arohan Nadi and Awarohan Nadi they are mainly used in the advanced practices of Hatha, Kriya and Tantric yoga, so I will save the discussion on these topics for a later writing).

As for Ida and Pingala, the flow of these channels (moon and sun) represents the constant ebb and flow of human existence. To see the importance of this concept, we can look at the term “Hatha” yoga.

The term Hatha itself means Going and Pingala in which the word “hatha” is made up of two root mantras: Ham representing solar energy or Pingala; and Tham which represents the lunar energy or Going. Therefore, the main premise of Hatha Yoga is to find a natural balance of these two forces within the body.

Like acupuncture in Chinese Medicine, or the use of marma points in Ayurveda, the Asanas (postures) used in classical Hatha Yoga are designed to improve health by releasing blocks of prana and facilitating the free flow of vital energy. All over the body. Any other use is simply gymnastics.

As mentioned, Pingala represents the solar polarity. It produces physical vitality, dynamic activity and tension. It is outgoing strength and generally dominates during daylight hours.

Going represents the lunar polarity. It is cold in nature and corresponds to the parasympathetic nervous system. Ida is related to relaxation, thinking and passive activity. Going It is generally dominant during the night hours and during sleep.

Going and Pingala dominance is directly related to the flow of breath in the nostrils. At any given time, one nostril is more open than the other. When the airflow is strongest in the left nostril, it indicates that Going is dominant. When the flow is strongest in the right nostril, it indicates that Pingala is dominant. When you are sleepy or sleepy, you will likely notice that your left nostril is flowing more easily. On the contrary, when you are physically active, the right nostril will be more active. Observing this phenomenon, ancient yogis devised breathing and meditation techniques to regulate energy flows in order to regulate the experiences of the pranic body.