Chakras and Nadis

The concept of chakras and nadis is one of the most distinctive aspects of yogic anatomy. These are not physical structures visible on a dissection table, but functional models of how energy moves through the body-mind system. In the same way that concepts like “stress” or “mood” do not correspond to specific anatomical structures but nevertheless describe real functional states, chakras and nadis describe patterns of pranic activity that have practical significance for practice.

The Nadi System

A nadi is a channel through which prana flows. Different texts give different numbers of nadis in the body — the Goraksha Samhita mentions 72,000, while the Shiva Samhita gives 350,000. Three nadis are of primary importance:

• Sushumna: The central channel running through the spinal column from the base of the spine (mooladhara) to the crown of the head (sahasrara). Sushumna is the channel through which Kundalini travels when it awakens. It is the primary goal of all Hatha Yoga practice to clear and activate Sushumna.
• Ida: The left channel, associated with lunar, cooling, receptive, and feminine energy. Ida carries the energy of the left nostril and corresponds in function to the parasympathetic nervous system — rest, digestion, and restoration.
• Pingala: The right channel, associated with solar, heating, active, and masculine energy. Pingala carries the energy of the right nostril and corresponds to the sympathetic nervous system — activity, alertness, and metabolic activity.

Ida and Pingala spiral around Sushumna from the base of the spine, crossing at each chakra, creating a pattern sometimes depicted as resembling the caduceus (the medical symbol of two snakes around a staff). The practice of Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril pranayama) is specifically designed to balance the flow in Ida and Pingala, which opens the condition for prana to enter Sushumna.

The Seven Chakras

The chakras are energy vortices located along the Sushumna nadi. Each governs a specific physical region, psychological function, and level of consciousness:

1. Mooladhara (Root Chakra): Located at the base of the spine. Associated with survival, security, grounding, and the element Earth. Bija mantra: Lam.
2. Swadhisthana (Sacral Chakra): Located in the lower abdomen, below the navel. Associated with creativity, sexuality, fluidity, and the element Water. Bija mantra: Vam.
3. Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra): Located at the navel. Associated with will, digestion, power, and the element Fire. Bija mantra: Ram.
4. Anahata (Heart Chakra): Located at the centre of the chest. Associated with love, compassion, balance, and the element Air. Bija mantra: Yam.
5. Vishuddha (Throat Chakra): Located at the throat. Associated with communication, expression, truth, and the element Space. Bija mantra: Ham.
6. Ajna (Third Eye Chakra): Located at the point between the eyebrows. Associated with intuition, perception, intelligence, and the mind itself. Bija mantra: Om.
7. Sahasrara (Crown Chakra): Located at the crown of the head. Associated with pure consciousness, cosmic awareness, and union with Brahman. It has no bija mantra — it transcends sound.

Working with Chakras in Practice

Specific asanas, pranayama techniques, mudras, and bandhas are associated with specific chakras. Mula Bandha, for instance, stimulates Mooladhara. Jalandhara Bandha regulates Vishuddha. Trataka activates Ajna. Understanding these relationships allows practitioners to work with the subtle body in a directed way. At Medhya Laya, chakra theory is taught not as esoteric mysticism but as a practical framework for understanding the energetic effects of specific yoga practices.