Welcome to Atharva Ayurvedic Wellness’s new blog post. It always motivates us to write when we receive feedback from our reader’s. Last week I received an email from one of my subscribers to write about Ida and Pingala channels, and respecting my reader’s suggestion, today we are going to learn about the two important channels and their spiritual importance.
Before we start to learn about the channels, we should understand yogic anatomy and the physiology of our bodies. First, let’s look at what we understand by the words “my self.” We understand that “my self” is a composition of body and mind (that applies to emotions and thoughts also) and energies. A normal human cannot see the energies but we know them by inference (Anumana). When we see the smoke coming out from the mountain, we can assume that there must be a fire somewhere in the mountain, although we did not actually see the fire. Based on our experience, we can tell that there is the presence of fire in the mountain. Similarly, the processes taking place in our bodies, tell us about the presence of energies. Prana is a vital energy within us that connects the individual soul with the physical body. The air which we breathe in, is the grosser form of the Prana. Prana is a vital power because it is the cause of our existence and all the physiological and energetic processes are taking place because of Prana. If we can learn and try to regulate our Prana, we can live a healthy life.
The life principle — Prana — and the functioning of the life, are described in ancient texts. Breath has a sound, which is known as Swara or sound. The sound of breath is swara. Swara deals with various channels from which Prana vibrates and it also helps to maintain the flow of prana for experiencing longevity and better health. Swara is subtler than Pranayama. When we breathe, the flow of air is not equal in both nostrils. The frequency of the flow of breath keeps changing, as per the energetic & physiological requirements. The frequency of the breath slows down in one nostril and starts to flow with a higher force in the other, that is described as Swarodya or “rising of the breath.”
This vital force “Prana” is supplied to the body through the Nadis, astral tubes or channels. There are 72,000 channels in our bodies, and they are part of the astral body. Those channels cannot be seen by the physical eyes, although the flow of Prana can be felt through the astral channels with a deep inward alignment. The Muladhara Chakra (Root chakra), is a seat of Kundalini from which twenty channels originate — ten go upward from the Naval and ten travel downward. Among all these channels Ida, Pingala and Shushumna are the most important channels because the Prana flows from these three channels.
Ida is Chandra Nadi or (Lunar Channel) and can be determined by the flow of breath through the left nostril and this channel has a feminine energy. Pingala or Surya Nadi (Solar Channel), can be determined by the flow of breath from the right nostril and it has a masculine energy. These two channels function alternatively — each for a period of around an hour. These two channels are not gross sympathetic chains, but they do correspond to the right and left sympathetic chains. If we balance these two channels, we welcome in the “harmony and wisdom” to handle any situation wisely.
Shushumna is the most important channel of the three main Nadis. This nadi is also known as Agni or the fire channel. When the breath changes its flow from one nostril to the other, in a short interval of breathing it is termed to be in Shushumna, and this stage is called Vishuvat. During this stage, one should rest, for if we do not rest, it can create restlessness. There is also another type of Sushumna flow and in this one, the flow of breath changes — simultaneously flowing through both of the nostrils. It is known by its balanced flow, with one concentrating the mind on any one of the six Chakras. Actually, one should concentrate on the chakra which is not active or sluggish. This stage is the best time to meditate as the natural tendency of the mind is now calm during this phase. This phase cannot last for a long period of time, so use this phase to meditate.
Using proper practice and under a master’s guidance, one can learn to control the functions of the three channels and can still the prana in Shsuhumna. One who can still the prana into Shushumna can cleanse the mind and can transcend time. To transcend time means to be able to reach beyond our birth and our death. After stilling the Prana into Shushumna, one should direct the prana towards the Brahma randhra (Thousand petals chakra), to experience the super stage of consciousness.
We previously learned that Ida and Pingala flows hourly from the point of sunrise. It means in a day that the breath flows from Ida twelve times and from Pingala twelve times. This shows a general functioning of the nadis and is a representation of good health.
Normally, Sushumna does not function when a person is engaged in actions, either mental or physical. Sushumna (flow of breath simultaneously from both the nostrils) functions when the mind gets concentrated and controlled — away from all desires.
The Lunar days also influence the energy channels. As one of the ancient writings of literature states, “The moon is born from the mind of the cosmic being.” The moon is also regulated by the mind of a cosmic being, and an individual mind is a part of the cosmic mind. Therefore, the individual mind has a connection with the moon. On the “new moon” day, the flow starts for the day with Ida or Chandra Nadi. Thereafter, it regularly changes its course at the end of each hour of the day, from Ida to Pingala and Pingala to Ida. This procedure continues for three days. On the morning of the fourth lunar day (of the bright half), the flow starts from Pingala or Surya Nadi, with hourly changes as mentioned above and this, too, continues for three days. Thus, there is a change in the flow of breath on every fourth lunar day morning. If, on any day, the flow starts with Ida, the fourth day from that is marked by a flow in Pingala at sunrise. The reverse is the case with the dark fortnight. This is a natural process in a normal and healthy individual.
The flow of breath from each nostril has significant importance, as it correlates with some health issues. During the flow of Surya Nadi, the metabolism is more regulated providing strength, vitality and good digestion. During the flow of Chandra Nadi, the digestion is slow, and Ama is produced, which can create many issues.
While sleeping on the left side, the Surya Nadi functions and the sleep will be sound and well, because Chandra Nadi is at rest. If Chandra Nadi flows while sleeping, it will be a disturbed and restless sleep. Therefore, Yogis suggest sleeping on the left side.
The knowledge of these important channels can help to avoid inauspicious circumstances, and can protect us when we can regulate the breath flow through Ida (the left nostril) throughout the whole day — from sunrise to sunset. And then breathe through Pingala (the right nostril) throughout the night— from sunset to sunrise. This is the practice of svira Sadhana. Great yogis practice this technique to acquire sidhhis (achievements).
This flow can be regulated by some practices. For example, when Ida flows, place the left palm on the ground (while sitting on the ground in Sukha Asana or Padmasana). Then press the left elbow on the left side, just underneath the ribs, applying a little bit of pressure. Slightly incline your body towards the left side. The flow of breath will change from left to right. The same should be done on the right side with the right elbow, if you wish to change the flow from right to left. There are some other techniques of meditation on Tatvas which can help to regulate the flow of breath. Bhashrika Pranayama is the best practice to change the flow from one channel to other.
There are other practices that can also help to regulate the prana energy and to achieve siddhis, those practices should only be performed under the guidance of masters.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article, if you have any questions feel free to contact me and we can discuss this in more detail. Thanks for taking the time to read this article, and thanks to “anonymous” for the feedback which inspired me to write this blog. See you next month with a new interesting subject. Until then, stay healthy