More about the Nadis and Meridians

What are the nadis?

The term "Nadis", comes from the Indian word for movement or "Nad".
According to Tibetan, Indian and Chinese teachings, the human body has approximately 72.000 nadis (normally described as nerves, arteries or blood vessels).

The human body is also constituted by an intricate system of energy wheels, known by chakras.
There are 7 major and 21 minor chakras in the human body, being are supported by a complex net of energy channels (nervous centers), of nadis and meridians (see picture of ancient Indian tree of life or nadis system).

What are meridians?

"Rivers of vital energy"

Meridians are perceived as a net of energy channels that cross the human body, charging it with the "Chi" energy.
According to acupuncture, there are 12 major meridians ruling specific body organs: lungs, stomach, spleen, heart, large intestine, small intestine, kidneys, gallbladder, gall bladder, urinary bladder, "san jiao" and pericardium (heart protector).

And both nadis and meridians ( also called the "maps of the human body energy"), carry the kundalini energy from the base of the body to the upper parts, revitalising in the process both body, mind and soul.

In this context, both chakras, nadis and meridians are extremely important for Reiki, for the practice of Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Acupuncture, Ayurveda and Pranic Healing.
And without having knowledge of their functioning, one cannot fully understand Reiki and other forms of energetic healing.

Why are the nadis and the meridians so important for Reiki?

Because, both nadis and meridians conduct the "Chi" energy into the human body, being the channels responsible for it's harmonious flowing in the direction of the chakras. Besides, they also conduct "Chi" to the outer layers of the aura, helping to heal and remove karmic blockages, negativity and entities.

And Reiki is responsible for harmonising and restoring both the functioning of the chakras, nadis and meridians, detecting possible blockages, imbalances and dysfunctions on the level of the aura layers.
Reiki also helps the natural flowing of the Chi and Kundalini energy in the body, acting as a stimulant for the chakras.

What are the "Ida", "Pingala" and "Sushumna" nadis?

The human body has thousands of minor nadis and 14 major nadis.
From these 14 major nadis, there are three very important for Reiki and healing in general: the "Ida", "Pingala" and "Sushumna".

The human body is also divided into left and right side, yin (feminine) and yang (masculine).
The left side is ruled by a nadis called "Ida Nadi", responsible for the back of the brain and right side of the body. This nadis is ruled by the moon and described by having feminine energy -- "yin".

The "Pingala Nadi", rules the right side of the body and has a link to the front side of the brain. This nadis is ruled by the energy of the sun, and can be described has having masculine energy -- "yang".
Both "Ida" and "Pingala" nadis, work and interact together, crossing each other's path and finally meeting at the third-eye chakra -- "Agnya".

The third eye chakra, is the center responsible for the development of our inner vision and intuition, making the link between man, the collective subconscious and the divine conscious.
Therefore, both nadis when meeting at this point, are also accounted for the creation of our notions of past and future on a subconscious level.

Besides the "Ida" and "Pingala" nadis, the human body still has a third nadis called "Sushuma" or "Great Nadi".
The "Sushumna" or Fire Point is located in the center of the spinal column, intercepting both the Ida and Pingala spiral movements. These movements result from a flowing of kundalini and chi energy through the chakras.

The origin point of the nadis

Both "Ida" and "Pingala" nadis, originate at the base of the column in the "Kanda point". They meet then at the "Yukta Triveni Point" (or three streams), following their path through the spinal column.

Then both "Ida" and "Pingala" make their ascending spiral movement upwards, passing by all major chakras and meeting at the third eye chakra or "Mukta Triveni point" (Mukta stands for "liberated").
From here they separate, going through different nostrils, meeting again at the "Sushumna", in the perineum (the base of the spine).

How to purify and clean the nadis, meridians and chakras?

Reiki and Yoga are good practices to purify and clean both meridians and chakras (specially for those individuals who desire to achieve higher states of consciousness and purify their energy channels).
In terms of yoga, this can be achieved by putting into practice some of the following techniques:

Pranayama (breathing techniques);
Samanu (purification of the nadis);
Asanas (exercises to correct body postures);
Meditation with Mudras and Bandhas (hand positions and body postures);
Positive thinking;
Concentration;
etc.

Different types of yoga for self-growth and soul purification

Hatha;
Kundalini;
Ashtanga;
Tantra;
Bikram;
Raja;
Kryia;
Integral;
Iyengar;
Kripalu;
Laya Yoga;
Mahavidya;
Svara;
Karma;
Bhakti;
Mantra;
Jnana;

For more info on Yoga classes in Amsterdam or Amstelveen, view our links and recommended professional practitioners.