To spread the original, universal and eternal truth, path or law of yoga, which remains forever the same in essence, yet always adapts to the time and place.

The Nadis in Yoga
The word Nadis comes from the Sanskrit root nad


"Nad" means movement. In the Rig Veda, it means stream. In Yoga, nadis are the channels of Kundalini energy.The Nadis thus are channels, but not only nerves (snayu). The subtle channels or Yoga Nadis are the channels of mind and the channels of chitta, the feeling self or being. The gross channels of subtle energy are visible as cords, vessels or tubes, including acupuncture meridians, nerves, muscles, arteries, veins, lymph,...

Ayurveda mentions 72.000 different Nadis. Tantra Yoga identifies 14 principal nadis of which the following three are the most important :

  Sushumna
  Passes through the spinal column, originating in the Muladhara Chakra and terminating in the Sahasrara Chakra, diving in an anterior and posterior branch before reaching the Ajna Chakra. The Sushumna generally remains dormant when the other Nadis flow strongly and is activated only when the breath comes through both nostrils simultaneously. It can also be activated through pranayama and Swar Yoga and operates automatically at dawn and dusk, calming down the system and making meditation easy.
  Ida
  The Ida Nadi starts and ends to the left of the Sushumna, but is also connected with the left testicle in males. It terminates in the left nostril, stimulating the right side of the brain. It is feminine in energy, carries pranic energy and is one of the most important mental nadis. As it nourishes and purifies the body and the mind, it is also called Ganga in Tantric scriptures. When Sushumna is not working, activating the Ida Nadi is the best way to facilitate meditation.
  Pingala

The Pingala Nadi starts and ends to the right of Sushumna. It is the carrier of solar, male energy, adding vitality, physical strength and efficiency. It is also purifying like Ida Nadi, but cleansing like fire. It is activated by the breath in the right nostril where it stimulates the left side of the brain. Bhedana pranayama is used to activate this nadi and is recommended for physical activities, debates and, indeed, duels.

 

Click for a larger image of the nadis in the headThe remaining of the 14 principal nadis are Gandhari, Hastajihva, Yashasvini, Pusha, Alambusha, Kuhu, Shankini, Sarasvati, Payasvini, Varuni, Vishvodara.

The Kuhu Nadi for example causes ejaculation together with the Chitrini Nadi. The mastering of this nadi is the main objective of the Vajrauli exercise, allowing the male aspirant to raise the seminal fluid from the second chakra to the Soma Chakra within the Sahasrara Chakra, along with the vaginal fluid from his female counterpart. It is this practice which is often known as Tantric Sex, which created a lot of attraction to Tantra in the West.


About this page

Wil GeraetsIntroduction to the Nadis extracted by Wil Geraets from the "Chakras" book, which offers detailed information on all 14 principal nadis and the Tantric techniques related to them, as well as from the "Breath, Mind and Consciousness" book, which contains 37 activity descriptions for left nostril dominance and 40 for right nostril dominance, as well as a lot more detailed information on Swara Yoga techniques. Click here for all extracts from this book.


Related pages

Related video : Full Class - The Seven Chakras (120')


Sanatan Society is an international networking association of students of the late Harish Johari, joining efforts to promote his teachings of yoga philosophy, tantra, worship, art and love. Sanatan Society stands for the original, universal and eternal truth, path or law of yoga. Though it is Hindu in origin, Sanatan Society is not limited to any religion, race, time or country, nor in fact to any particular organisation. More about Sanatan Society...


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