So what are nadis and Chakras

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates as wheel or disc. Nadi in Sanskrit derives from the word nad which means flow, motion or vibration. Nadis are the energy pathways of the body and there are 72,000 of them in our subtle body and connected by the chakras, which charges the nadis. The chakras function as valves, regulating the flow of prana. Through the nadis and chakras the prana is delivered to every cell of the body and this is enhanced through the breath and the asanas in yoga.

The following seven primary chakras are commonly described:


1. Muladhara Chakra - The base chakra located between the sacrum and coccyx is associated with the colour red and relates to a persons survival instincts and material/physical existence.
2. Svadhistana Chakra - The second/sacral chakra located around the reproductive organs and lumbar region is associated with the colour orange and relates to a persons feelings, desires and sensations.
3. Manipura Chakra - Located in the naval or solar plexus and associated with the colour yellow. This chakra relates to a sense of personal power and identity.
4. Anahata Chakra - Located in the heart region, this chakra relates to a persons ability to give and receive love and is associated with the colour green.
5. Vishuddi Chakra - The throat chakra is associated with the colour blue and relates to a persons ability to interpret and communicate what they have learnt.
6. Ajna Chakra - The third eye chakra, associated with the colour violet, relates to intuition, creativity and imagination.
7. Sahasrara Chakra - The crown chakra relates to cosmic consciousness and is associated with the colour violet.

Nadis




Of these 72,000 nadis, there are 3 that are considered the most important - Ida, Pingala and Sushumna and are purified through anuloma viloma.
Ida is the left channel - starts in Muladhara chakra, Ida ends up in the left nostril. Ida is white, feminine, cold, represents the moon, creative, slow, right brain, when more active metabolic activity of the body becomes low, lethargy and suspended mental activity.
Pingala is the right channel - starts in Muladhara chakra, Pingala ends up in the right nostril. Pingala is red, masculine, hot, represents the sun, logic, active, left brain, when more active heat in body increases and there’s more mental activity.
Sushumna is the central channel running up the body from just below Muladhara chakra to Sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head. This is the main energy channel that Hatha Yoga, prananyama clears the channel so that the kundalini energy flows freely through the sushumna to the Sahasrara chakra.
So that’s all about your energy body. Interesting isn’t it? Amazing when you’re practicing yoga how the prana circulates around the body, without you really knowing how…now you do! How wonderful!

Yoga & Pranayama

Meaning of Yoga and Pranayama and their unity
The meaning of Yoga is union – e.g. the unity of body and mind or on a deeper levels the Self and the Universe - they are one. The bridge between the body and mind is the breath and as you use the breath and become more aware you will soon come to realise what is within is also all around i.e. they are one.

Pranayama means control of vital energy or breath. In Sanskrit the word for breath is the same for the word life – Prana, this gives you a big clue about how important breathing is for your health and well-being, Yama means control – so the literally translation is control of the breath (or life which is prana). Yoga without prana is like the sea without water.

So to use yogic breathing, try to become aware of your breath and observe it, maybe as you are sitting down or lying down, allow the abdomen and chest to rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale, both being rhythmical, comfortable and smooth.


Benefits of yogic breathing
In addition to relaxing and calming the body and mind, when you observe and control the breath you gain other benefits
 Improves posture as uses muscles to support the spine and abdominal muscles
 Reduces stress, anxiety and tension
 You take in more oxygen which is delivered to every cell in the body
 It increases your metabolism – great for managing weight
 Tones the abdominal area
 Strengthens immune system


Just a little note to remember, the diaphragm separates the lungs and heart from the abdominal organs, and is above the solar plexus area. When you start to use the diaphragm muscle it becomes more flexible, psychologically this can release any emotions that have been stored up or suppressed especially if your digestive organs are linked to your stress, so breathing properly i.e. yogic breathing can release emotions or sighs as you release the energy, the prana, the life through your breath. So don’t worry about this it’s a great sign you are releasing something not just on a physical level and will lead to a more fulfilling experience of life and the breath.

Yoga and Breathing

Breath is life.

We are able to survive days without food or water, however deprive us of breath and we would only last a few minutes. Knowing this, it is amazing how little attention we pay to the importance of breathing.

It’s a great idea to start to think of your breath as your closest friend. From the moment you are born the breath stays with you until the moment you die. Unless you have breathing problems, you probably are barely aware of your breath, you take it for granted unintentionally of course. Just because your breath is automatic doesn’t mean you are breathing to your optimum though.

In yoga the breath is of utmost importance, for the breath delivers oxygen to every cell in our bodies and brain and it also gives us the vital energy (prana) from the air we breathe. So even if you do not practice yoga, you can still use the breath to benefit you. Proper breathing helps us to control the vital energy (prana) and thus control the mind, which helps deeper relaxation.

So how do you breathe correctly?

We've forgotten…
It is natural to breathe using the diaphragm and abdomen. If you watch babies, you will notice that they breathe in this way. As we become older, factors like stress and inactivity cause us to take shallow breaths. These shorter shallow breaths use only the upper chest. This is why I say most people have forgotten how to breathe… They breathe shallowly, usually through the mouth and don't use the diaphragm or only use it a little. Breathing like this only a small amount of oxygen and energy is taken in and only the top parts of the lungs are being used.
Breathing correctly means breathing through the nose, keeping the mouth closed, so that the nose warms and filters the air taken in, and involves a full inhalation where the abdomen expands causing the diaphragm to move down and an exhalation through the nose, where the abdomen falls causing the diaphragm to move up. Breathing like this uses more of the lungs and the diaphragm is actively being used benefiting you by taking in more oxygen, giving you more energy.

Which is the most essential stage of breathing - inhalation or exhalation?
You might think it is the inhalation, when in fact it is the exhalation that holds the key. Why? The more stale air you exhale, the more fresh air or oxygen you can inhale and this is distributed to every cell in your body giving you more energy and nourishing every cell in the body so that the body works at its optimum.

So start to observe your breath and breathe in life to the full!