Nadi- Literally, a river, a channel or passageway; the pulse; there are innumerable nadis in the human body, from the very subtle to the very gross, carrying substances into, out of, or throughout the body.
(Lad, M.A.Sc, Vasant, 2002)
In many eastern health sciences, nadis are considered channels or tubes in the human body that carry prana. Prana is also known as energy or life force. These energy channels, or nadis, can be found in both the physical and the subtle body (Kripalu, 2008). In Chinese medicine, nadis are known as the meridians. “Although unlike meridians, nadis are not defined in the limbs” (McAllister, 1998). According to yogic philosophy there are said to be 72,000 nadis in the human body (Johari, 2010).
Our life experience is the flow of substances and energies through these tubes, or nadis. In order to remain healthy, these tubes must remain freely open and unblocked. Painful life experiences can cause restriction in nadis, often leading to survival mechanisms such as “numbness” and “disassociation” (Kripalu, 2008). These blockages can ultimately lead to health problems. Coming back in touch with our true selves through opening these channels, or nadis is important for our health and wellbeing
(Kripalu, 2008).
There are nadis found within the physical body. These nadis make up the nervous system, the circulatory system, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic systems, etc. Any blockages in these nadis can result in physical health conditions (Kripalu, 2008).
Additionally, nadis can also be found in the subtle body. These nadis carry thoughts, feelings, and nerve impulses. When these nadis are blocked, we loose our ability to feel, to truly connect with others, to connect with our environment, and to even connect even ourselves. Various pramayama techniques aid in helping to keep these nadi channels open (Kripalu, 2008).
The chakras are also closely related to the nadis. According to website, Human Spiritual Structure: The Nadis, McAllister states, “the petals of the manipura chakra all correspond to nadis. The lotus aspect of the chakras is due to the nadis connecting to them. The seven chakras play a very important role in governing the energetic body, and the nadis are closely linked to them. Nadis are said to be subtle bodies of energies that connect to the chakras or special points of energy. They start from the central chakras and move outward where they become thinner.
Posted by CR BEAN
