The Subtle Energy centres of the human body

You must have heard words like prana, nadis, and chakras in your yoga classes, whether in asana practice, pranayama, or philosophy. At the Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh, we dive deep into these important concepts to help students understand yoga completely. It becomes necessary, especially in modern times where yoga is approached as exercise, to integrate the subtle elements constantly operating within us. These potent forms of energy play an essential role in spiritual evolution, rising beyond the physical. According to Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Tantra, channelling prana through the nadis in a specific manner and the eventual purification and activation of chakras is the way to the final stage of the eight limbs- samadhi.

Prana

Prana is the life-force vital energy that creates and sustains nature and the human body. The prana present in the cosmos is known as the Mahaprana. When the Mahaprana comes in contact with the elements, it takes the gross form of prana within the body. This prana is responsible for human existence’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. It is present throughout the body, in the muscles, bones, veins, arteries, and tendons. 

Our breath manifests prana, divided into five main categories—the pancha prana also known as panch vayus 

1. Prana Vayu: Prana vayu is an uplifting prana in the thoracic area. It is responsible for respiration and circulation functions and moves upward and inward. 
2. Apana Vayu: Apana vayu is a downward-moving energy in the pelvic area. It is responsible for reproductive functions like menstruation, childbirth, and excretory functions.
3. Samana Vayu: Samana vayu is present in the abdominal area, balancing the prana and apana. It contributes to digestion and metabolism and moves horizontally in a circular motion. 
4. Udana Vayu: Udana vayu is the energy in our limbs, throat, and head. It is upward and outward-moving and responsible for motor coordination and sense perception. 
5. Vyana Vayu: Vyana Vayu support is all the other prana in the body. It helps with circulation, immune response, and neuromuscular coordination. 

When we are not conscious of prana, it is scattered throughout the body, blocked in certain areas, and unable to flow freely. Through practising pranayama in our Yoga Teacher Training Program in India, we unlock the potential of pranic energy to transmute blockages into healing and health. Integrating the various kinds of prana and channelling them in the central nadi (sushumna) is the ultimate goal of yoga. 

Nadis 

The channels through which prana flows in the body are known as nadis. These are subtle passages with a network spread out throughout the body. An uninterrupted flow of prana in the nadis is essential for optimum health and well-being. 

According to Hatha yoga, there are about 72,000 nadis in the body. Three are the most significant: idea, Pingala, and Sushumna. 

1. Ida nadi: Ida nadi runs across the left side of the spine, from the perineum to the crown of the head. It is associated with the moon, coolness, femininity, intuition, the right hemisphere of the brain, and the mental body. When we stimulate the left nostril, like in Chandra bhedi, we purify the ida nadi. 
2. Pingala nadi: The pingala nadi runs across the right side of the spine, parallel to the ida nadi. It is associated with the sun, heat, masculinity, action, the left hemisphere of the brain, and the physical body. When we stimulate the right nostril, like in Suryabhedi, we purify the pingala nadi. 
3. Sushumna nadi: Sushumna nadi is the central nadi that flows through the spinal cord. This is the pathway of the kundalini awakening that leads to samadhi.  It is said that only when the ida and pingala nadis are balanced can prana move through the Sushumna. The science of pranayama prepares one for kundalini awakening by purifying and balancing the Ida and Pingala nadis. 

Chakras 

Chakras are the energy plexus where two or more nadis intersect each other. They are said to connect the physical dimension to the energetic realm. It is believed that chakras have the seeds of our samskaras (karmic patterns), which, under the right conditions, are expressed as our desires and behaviours. Yoga Sadhana entails the purification of the chakras to rid oneself of karmic patterns and activate the chakras to liberate oneself from the cycle of rebirth. 

There are many chakras in the body, like thousands of nadis. Seven of these are the most powerful. All of them are present within the spine at an energetic level.

1. Muladhara chakra: Also known as the root chakra, it is the first chakra in our body. Present at the base of the spine, the perineum, this chakra is our connection to the physical body. It is associated with the earth element and grounding, security, and belonging attributes. When imbalanced, we experience a deep sense of fear, feel unsafe in the world, and cannot live in the present. At a physical level, any condition of the legs, like chronic pain or excretory problems like piles, needs purification of this chakra. 
2. Swadhishtana chakra: The second chakra, the sacral, is present in the pelvic area, a couple of inches above the root chakra. It is the centre of our desires, emotions, and pleasure and is associated with the water element. An inability to form meaningful, intimate connections, indulging in too much material pleasure, being unable to emote, and reproductive problems like infertility and PCOS are all signs of an imbalanced swadhisthana chakra. 
3. Manipura chakra: The last of the three base chakras is the Manipura, or the solar plexus. It is located just above the navel on the spine. It is the centre of our vitality, self-confidence, and abundance mindset. Associated with the fire element, it drives our passion and enthusiasm towards life. When imbalanced, we experience digestive problems like bloating and diarrhoea, mental problems, anxiety, and shame, and emotional problems like unreasonable anger and jealousy.  
4. Anahata chakra: Anahata chakra, or the heart chakra, is the fourth of the seven chakras. It is located in the centre of the chest, where the heart is. The emotions of unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness and gratitude arise from the heart chakra. It is attributed to the air element, creating expansion and freedom in our consciousness. Heart conditions, respiratory problems and emotional blockages like holding grudges are signs of disharmony in the Anahata chakra. 
5. Vishuddhi chakra: Throat chakra is the fifth chakra associated with the element of space. It is located at the base of the throat and is believed to be responsible for the purification of our body and the centre of endocrine function. Our ability to express freely, communicate confidently, and speak the truth comes from the throat chakra. Disorders of the thyroid, speech impairities, and lack of self-confidence are signs of an imbalanced throat chakra. 
6. Ajna chakra: One of the most potent chakras in the body, the Ajna or the third eye chakra, is strongly linked to the higher dimensions and the knowledge of the eternal truth. It resides on the forehead, between the eyebrows. Some texts believe that it is the home of our soul, the centre of wisdom, intellect, and vision. Disharmony here is expressed as nightmares, insomnia, an overactive mind, and lack of clarity. 
7. Sahasrara chakra: The last chakra in the body is the crown chakra. At this chakra, the union of Shiva and Shakti takes place, and the experience of samadhi takes place after the Kundalini awakening. Only when all the six chakras are purified and activated does the Sahasrara operate. This is our body’s connection to cosmic consciousness, the realisation of the Brahman (the source). Since it is the highest level of consciousness, it is not associated with any bodily and mind imbalances. 

Understanding the subtle energies within us helps us deepen our yoga practice beyond the physical body. We can cultivate introspection, awareness and consciousness to integrate all aspects of our existence, which is the intention of yoga.