Ida Pingala and Sushumna: Three Nadis for Self Awareness

Being a yogi does not simply mean being in touch with your physical body. Rather, it is all about having a true relationship with your mind, body, and spirit. The subtle body goes along the physical body. That is why knowing about all the subtle mechanisms of a human body is crucial. So, being aware of Ida Pingala Sushumna can serve you in the long run.

Learning about the three major yoga nadis helps you move towards the spiritual realm. Not just that, you become aware of the mental mechanisms that are responsible for the perfect functioning of the human being. With that said, let us first understand what are yoga nadis. Then we can move forward. Read on.

What are Yoga Nadis?

Originated from the Sanskrit word ‘nadi’ that roughly translates to a tube or a flow. In other words, nadis are also known as channels.

Nadis are present in the subtle human body. It means you can’t find them physically present inside your body. Rather, you can only access them once you are aware of the chakra points, energy flow, bandhas, and other subtle elements.

The basic idea that governs yoga nadis is that the energy flows from the lower part of the human body to the highest part through a channel. This channel is nadis that offers a free path for energy flow.

Yoga Nadis are one of the most crucial parts of the astral body. Activating these yoga nadis lead to self-enlightenment.

Ida Pingala Sushumna: A Brief Introduction

Out of 72,000 yoga nadis present out there, only three are major. These are Ida, Pingala, Sushumna yoga nadis. Ida and Pingala cover either side of the body. Whereas, the Sushumna Nadi is one of the most important nadis that balances out the other two nadis.

Ida Nadi

Ida Nadi is also known as the passive left channel for energy flow. Since its nature matches that of the Moon, therefore, it is also called a lunar energy channel.

Moreover, Ida Nadi represents the feminine energy flowing throughout the human body. As far as the pranic energy is considered, the Ida Nadi is passive and deals with the Yin energy channel.

In the subtle body, Ida Nadi is located on the left side of the Sushumna Nadi. Ida Nadi takes birth from the base of the spine and goes towards the head. When it reaches the Third Eye Chakra, it merges with the Pingala Nadi.

The white color represents the true nature of the Ida Nadi. Moreover, it boosts our mental energy. People having dominant Ida Nadi are intuitive and nurturing. However, they lack the confidence and bravery to tackle worldly issues.

Pingala Nadi

Another major nadi out of the three yoga nadis is Pingala Nadi. It is also known as the active right channel. Since the nature of the Pingala yoga nadi matches with the sun, therefore, it is also known as a solar energy channel.

Furthermore, Pingala Nadi represents the masculine energy flowing throughout the human body. With the active nature of this Nadi, it deals with the yang energy channel in the human body.

The Pingala Nadi flows to the right side of the Sushumna Nadi. Moreover, the energy that flows through the Pingala Nadi complements the energy that flows through the Ida Nadi.

Similar to the Ida Nadi, the Pingala Nadi took birth at the base of the spine in the Root chakra. After intersecting each other at various energy points of the subtle body, Pingala Nadi merges with the Ida Nadi at the Third Eye chakra.

Since the Pingala Nadi is linked with the Sun, therefore, its vibrational quality color is red. People having active Pingala Nadi are creative and upfront. However, they lack empathy and perception in life.

Sushumna Nadi

This is one of the most important yoga nadis present in the subtle human body. The Sushumna Nadi flows through the center of the body in a close alignment with the spine. Also, it is called one of the most gracious energy channels present in the human body (subtle).

Just like Ida and Pingala Nadis, the Sushumna Nadi takes birth at the base of the spine, that is, the Root chakra. However, it goes straight towards the head after intersecting with the Ida and Pingala Nadis. Most importantly, the Sushumna Nadi is neutral, unlike the other two major yoga nadis.

Sushumna Nadi symbolizes a perfect balance. Therefore, it has characteristics of male & female, active & passive, solar & lunar. This perfect balance helps you to walk slowly towards having spiritual enlightenment.

Since the Sushumna Nadi helps a yoga practitioner to attain spiritual awakening, therefore, it is also known as the Brahma Nadi. Brahma signifies a Brahman or in the spiritual context, the ultimate being.

With a consistent flow of energy through the Sushumna Nadi, you tend to enter the spiritual plain by entering the Samadhi.

As you can see, the above-mentioned three yoga nadis truly play a major role in enhancing your life. However, to let yoga nadis work efficiently and perfectly, they should be in a perfect balance with each other. For that, make sure you check out the following points that help you know how to balance them.

Also Read: Yoga bandhas and their benefits

Practices to Balance Ida Pingala Sushumna

Prana is the key that helps you balance the Ida Pingala Sushumna yoga nadis. However, you cannot just rely on breath meditation. To activate and balance the yoga nadis, you need to inculcate different yogic practices into your yoga routine.

Hence, don’t forget to check out the following points. Keep reading.

Nadi Shodhana

Also known as Alternate Nostril breathing, Nadi Shodhana helps in pumping fresh oxygen into the subtle nadis present in the astral body. Breathing through the left and the right nostrils helps in cleaning the left and the right hemisphere of your brain.

Furthermore, practicing Nadi Shodhana aligns the masculine and the feminine energies present inside the subtle body. This helps in balancing the Sushumna Nadi. It releases stress that ensures the release of hormones is in check.

Ujjayi Breathing

This pranayama technique is also known as Ocean Breath. Being one of the most practiced breathing techniques, it helps in grounding and calming your mind and senses. You become aware of the breathing sensations while practicing the Ujjayi breathing.

Hence, a warm feeling overlaps your mind and body. It also regulates the heat and temperature of your body that ensures Sushumna Nadi is perfectly balanced.

Kapalabhati

When it comes to having physical as well as psychical effects, the Kapalabhati breathing techniques are one of the best that serve you. It consists of an active inhale and exhale throughout the process. Moreover, practicing the Kapalabhati helps in cleansing various chakras.

Furthermore, this burns out your belly fat that helps in easy digestion. When you practice this breathing technique perfectly, you feel a slight sensation in your head. That is why it is sometimes called the Skull Shining breathing technique. Also, it helps in clearing any blockage present in the Sushumna Nadi.

Kumbhaka

The basic concept around which the Kumbhaka pranayama or Kumbhaka breathing technique revolves is breath retention. It came from the Sanskrit word, that is, Kumbha. This has a rough translation that means pot. So, in spiritual orientation, this means the human torso is a carrier of air like a pot.

Moreover, breath retention has two parts. One is inhaling that is known as Antara and the other is exhale that is known as Bahya. Hence, consistently practicing the inhale and exhale fills your body with fresh energy. In short, it cleanses the Sushumna Nadi without any hassle.

Bhastrika

When it comes to the release of toxins, nothing works like Bhastrika practice. Not just that, practicing Bhastrika pranayama bring bouts of renewed energy into your astral body. Practicing Bhastrika pranayama increases heat in your body. This helps in improving blood circulation that helps you stay in your optimum state.

It also helps in purifying the chakras. Therefore, practicing the Bhastrika pranayama helps in balancing the chakras that further support in balancing the Sushumna Nadi.

Dirga

It is a pranayama style that has three-part breath. In simple language, you breathe in and out using three distinct body parts. The first body part is the lower belly. It consists of the area just below your belly button.

The second body part used for Dirga pranayama is the lower chest. In the final step, you breathe in and out using the lower throat part. In all three steps, you breathe in and out through the nose. However, there is the active participation of three body parts. Hence, you become aware of the subtle body that helps in balancing the Sushumna Nadi.

Sitali

This is also known as cooling breath. Practicing Sitali pranayama has a positive effect on your mind and body. It heals over-accumulation of heat inside your body. Thus, the breathing practice used in Sitali pranayama ensures your mind and body are cool.

This further helps in breezing in the fresh air that ensures the Sushumna Nadi is perfectly balanced. Not just that, it works on the other two yoga nadis that helps in staying in alignment with each other.

Bhramari

Also known as Bee Humming Breath, Bhramari pranayama helps in calming your mind. It ensures there is minimum movement in your brain. Hence, you become aware of the changes in your psyche when you consistently practice Bhramari pranayama.

The exhalation that you do while practicing the Bhramari technique imitates the Black Indian Bee. This boosts your vibrations that help in lowering the mental tension. In short, you feel relaxed that balance the Sushumna and other yoga nadis.

Viloma

Viloma comprises two words, ‘Vi’ & ‘Loma’. Vi signifies against and Loma denotes hair. So, it means going against the flow. This breathing pattern uses interrupted breathing that is used to improve the functioning of the lungs.

Moreover, practicing Viloma helps in extending the breathing period. Therefore, it helps in mastering control over the breath. In short, you become conscious of how the air moves inside your body. Hence, it helps in balancing the Sushumna Nadi.

Chandra

Chandra Bhedana is the counterpart of the Sun or Surya Bhedana pranayama exercise. Practicing Chandra Bhedana helps you by calming your mind. Moreover, it cools down your senses that increase your control over the breath.

In short, it helps in balancing the Sushumna Nadi along with other yoga nadis.

As you can see, the above-given breathing techniques can help in balancing the Sushumna and other major yoga nadis. All you have to do is to learn them from a yoga master. However, for that, you must join a yoga teacher training course.

Moreover, if you think what is the need to do all that hassle, check out the following points. These will help you know how activating and balancing Ida Pingala Sushumna helps you out. Roll forward.

Benefits of Activating Ida Pingala Sushumna

Easier Energy Flow

No doubt energy is unlimited in the human body. However, it burns out pretty fast. So, you need to learn how to direct it so that you can make the most of it. That is where the activation of Sushumna and other yoga nadis plays a major role.

You have a firm grip over the flow of energy. Hence, you know how much energy is harnessed inside your body. In short, you get to do every little work when the energy is used systematically.

More Control Over Body

Activating Sushumna and other yoga nadis gives you more control over everything. Whether it is your physical body or astral projection, everything is under your control. You stay conscious for a long time that helps you use minimum energy for everything.

Moreover, moving your body minimally helps you master the physical as well as the psychical plain.

Spiritual Enlightenment

Spiritual enlightenment is one of the major benefits of balancing and activating Sushumna and other yoga nadis. The flow of prana through the yoga nadis pulls you out of the mental chaos. Moreover, you stay in an alerted state of mind.

This further helps you enter the deep spiritual plain without any hassle. In short, you enter the Samadhi state that helps you become one with the higher being.

Chakra Activation

Practicing different breathing exercises helps in the activation of different chakras. Some breathing exercises activate the lower chakras. Whereas, some yogic breathing activates the crown chakra that makes spiritual awakening much easier.