Nadis: Pranic Energy Channels of the Body

In a previous article on Yoga Physiology, I wrote concerning the Pancha Kosha (the Five Layers of Existence) and mentioned the subject of Nadis or Energy Channels. In this text, I’ll discuss Nadis in just a little more detail. Please remember this remains to be a really basic overview written for those just entering the subject of yoga physiology and the practice of tantra.

In classical yoga physiology, nadis are energetic pathways which form a matrix throughout the human body. These channels aren’t regarded as physical, measurable or dissectible structures. They’re “that which underlies and sustains life inside the body.” In higher states of meditation and yoga practice the nadis will be perceived as flows of sunshine, heat, color, or sound.

Nadis are conduits for Prana (Qi or vital life force). The classical texts suggest there are somewhere between 72,000 and seven.2 million nadis. These are big numbers and are more philosophical than practical. For our practice, we are going to concern ourselves with only five primary Nadis: Ida, Pingala, Arohan, Awarohan, and Sushuma. As regards to our practices, these channels are the principal conduits for energy flow.

• Sushuma: the central channel, runs from the mooladhara chakra near the perinium to the highest of the pinnacle and is taken into account the channel of balance.
• Ida Nadi: follows a path up the left side of the body and represents the moon or cool energy.
• Pingala Nadi: runs up the correct side of the body and represents the sun or hot energy.
• Arohan Nadi: travels the front of the body between the mooladhara chakra and the highest of the pinnacle.
• Awarohan Nadi: travels the back of the body between the highest of the pinnacle and the mooladhara at the bottom of the body.

(These last two channels, the Arohan Nadi and Awarohan Nadi are primarily utilized in advanced Hatha, Kriya and Tantric yoga practices, thus I’ll save the discussion on these topics for a later writing).

As for Ida and Pingala, the flow of those channels (moon and sun) represents the constant ebb and flow of human existence. To see the importance of this idea we will look to the term “Hatha” yoga.

The term Hatha itself signifies Ida and Pingala in that the word “hatha” is product of two root mantras: Ham representing sun energy or Pingala; and Tham representing moon energy or Ida. Thus, the foremost premise of Hatha Yoga is to search out a natural balance of those two forces inside the body.

Very similar to acupuncture in Chinese Medicine, or using marma points in Ayurveda, the Asanas (postures) utilized in classical Hatha Yoga are designed to enhance health by freeing up blockages of prana and facilitate the free flow of significant energy throughout the body. Every other use is just gymnastics.

As mentioned, Pingala represents the solar polarity. It produces physical vitality, dynamic activity, and tension. It’s the extroverting force and customarily dominates in the course of the sunlight hours.

Ida represents the lunar polarity. It’s cold in nature and corresponds with the parasympathetic nervous system. Ida pertains to rest, pondering, and passive activity. Ida is mostly dominant in the course of the evening hours and sleep.

Ida and Pingala dominance is directly related to the flow of breath within the nostrils. At any given moment one nostril is more open than the opposite. When the flow of breath is stronger within the left nostril, it indicates that Ida is dominant. When the flow is stronger in the correct nostril it indicates that Pingala is dominant. When you find yourself sleepy or drowsy, you might be more likely to notice the left nostril flows easier. Conversely, if you end up physically lively, the correct nostril will probably be more lively. Observing this phenomenon, the traditional yogis devised respiratory and meditation techniques to control the flows of energy to be able to regulate the experiences of the pranic body.