The Nadis

The nadis are the subtle body’s energetic blood stream. They are what prana flows through allowing the body to be animated. The mind rides on prana, so the smoother the flow the clearer the mind. In Chinese medicine, this system is known as the meridians. It is where these channels cross over along the spine that the chakras are created.

Every organ or organ system in the body is fed by a corresponding nadi or meridian, therefor it is essential that prana, or energy, is flowing freely and there are no blockages in these channels. No prana, no life. Blockages are created by unprocessed physical or emotional damage to the body. The nadis are stimulated through the practice of asanas, pranayama, proper diet and other subtly energy techniques.

The meridians also connect to hundreds of tiny electromagnetic reservoirs along the skin, known as acupressue points. when these points are stimulates the energy running along the meridians is redistributed, which, if it has been blocked, can relieve the physical or emotional pain.

(Acupressure is the oldest energy medicine system in the world, and it was soon followed by acupuncture, which is essentially the same thing but modified with the use of needles.)

Throughout my yoga classes we strategically apply pressure to these acupoints as we are moving into asanas to ensure that we are receiving maximum energy flow, cleansing and balancing from the physical movement. We also “sweep” meridians, in which we briskly trace the path of the meridian using our owns hands to encourage circulation. Other techniques are used to ensure that the energy is not running homolaterally and also to make sure that energy is being release and received efficiently, allowing for renewal and cleansing of prana. Asanas are implements to twist and massage the channels, and pranayama is used in order to encourage in the clearing of blockages and a healthy flow of energy. In essence we are able to take conscious care to stimulate both the subtle and physical bodies in order to exponentially increase the overall effectiveness of the practice.

❤ Britta