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!