Nadi, Beyond Biology

The channels of subtle, physical and causal energy of human beings are called “Nadis”. Prana (Energy that is needed to stay alive) flows through Nadis, which are connected to Chakras (Centre points), to each and every cell in the body. In yoga, the goal is to harness this energy and to fuel our spiritual, mental and physical development.

Let’s understand more about the Nadis
Many Yoga texts suggests that in the system there are 72,000 nadis in total, According to Shiva Samhita there are 3, 50,000 of them. There are three important nadis that are Ida, Pingala and Sushumana.

Sushumana- Originating 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 centre channel. It is “vairagya” meaning it has no colour. It is the channel through which kundalini shakti (the latent serpent power) —and the higher spiritual consciousness —rises up from its origin at the muladhara (root) chakra to its true home at the sahasrara (thousandfold) chakra at the crown of the head.

Ida – Located on the left side of Sushumana, it is associated with the lunar energy. It has a cooling effect and is represented by the colour blue. It relates to the feminine aspects of our personality.

Pingala – The solar nadi is in the right of Sushumana. It is the channel for solar energy which is warm in nature and overseas the masculine side of our personality and is represented by colour red.

Ida and Pingala are the indicator of personality and behavior. If the ida side is dominant, You may have more of the feminine qualities and if your Pingala side is dominant the masculinity in you would have the dominance regardless your gender. Through Yoga, One can strike a balance between the two and create physical and emotional equilibrium (which is associated with the activation of shushumna). You’ll also be developing your awareness, deepening your practice, and clearing the way for your spiritual growth.
Yoga has the power to transcend you to the dimensions you might have never thought of.