WHAT IS THE SCIENCE OF THE NADIS OF SWAR YOGA OR NERVOUS SYSTEM?BREATHING SCIENCE -02

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NADIS ;- 03 FACTS;- 1-In the state of deep sleep the soul goes through the Nadis to the region of the heart and there rests in Brahman. Just as a man goes along the Ganga to the sea so also the soul goes through the Nadis to Brahman. So he attains Svarupa. When the time of death comes, what happens? 2-The outer form of our system is a mixture of the five elements. Internal to it are the Nadis. Internal to the Nadis is the energy or vitality. And internal to these is the mind, internal to which is consciousness. There is a tremendous shake up of all five Koshas at the time of death. What passes on is not consciousness as such, because that is everywhere. What passes is the mind. Mind and intelligence, when they are animated by consciousness, make the jiva, and when we talk of death we are concerned with the jiva. 3-Consciousness cannot move, but mind does. And when it seeks an exit, if it passes through the Sushumna-nadi, it reaches immortality because of having brought about a balance. When the mind passes through Sushumna, there is neither inspiration nor expiration. THE NADIS OR NERVOUS SYSTEM;- 07 FACTS;- 1-The Sanskrit word nadi derives from the root Nad, which means flow, motion, vibration. These nadis are creative energies of the subtle body. Just as the negative and positive forces of electricity flow through complex circuits, in the same way, vital force and mental force flow through every part of our body via these nadis. 2-There are 72,000 nadis in the body with three main channels up the spine, right, left and centre. These are known as ida, pingala & sushumna. The left nostril is connected to the ida network of nadis, the right nostril is connected to the pingala network of nadis and when both nostrils flow together, the main channel or sushumna network is stimulated. They connect at special points of intensity called chakras. 3-When these nadis flow freely, we are vital and healthy; when it becomes weak or congested, we struggle with poor mental and physical health. The brain & the spinal cord along with the nerves emanating constitute the nervous system of the body. The nervous system is divided into two main systems: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). 4- Central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves which gather information while others transmit orders. Peripheral nervous system is divided into two systems: somatic nervous system & autonomic nervous system. 5-Somatic nerves participate in the organism’s relationship with its external environment. Autonomic nerves are more involved in regulating vital internal functions. The autonomic nervous system is divided into two categories: sympathetic & parasympathetic nervous system. 6-The sympathetic nervous system goes into action to prepare the organism for physical or mental activity. The activation of the parasympathetic nervous system causes a general slowdown in the body’s functions in order to conserve energy. 7-The Nadis determine the nature and the quality of the nervous system, with its extensive network of nerves and plexus covering the entire physical body. A healthy nervous system is the secret of vitality and rejuvenation. THE GROSS & SUBTLE BODY;- 05 FACTS;- 1-The subtle or sukshma body is within the gross or physical body. The gross body cannot do anything without the astral body. Every gross centre of the body has its astral centre. Ida, pingala & sushumna nadis originate from mooladhara chakra at the anus and the root of the reproductory organ. 2-From there they separate and proceed into different directions to meet again at the ajna chakra located at the root of the nose between the eyebrows and approximately 2 1/2 inches into the brain. 3- Ida nadi emerges from the left side of mooladhara and spirals upwards to the spinal cord, passing through each chakra in turn, forming a criss-cross pathway which terminates at the left side of ajna chakra and end up in the left nostril. 4-Pingala nadi emerges from the right side of the mooladhara chakra and passes in an opposite manner to that of Ida, terminating at the right side of ajna chakra and end up in the right nostril. 5-Sushumna nadi is the spiritual channel that terminates at sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head. So, it is clear that the gross body & the subtle body have close relationship with each other. Practically, we can feel the desired effects that are produced through yoga, pranyama, meditation between these two centres. DESCRIPTION OF IDA NADI / SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM;- 06 FACTS;- 1-The word ida means "comfort" & is located on our left sympathetic nervous system. It begins and ends on the left side of sushumna. Ida has a moonlike nature and female energy with a cooling effect. It is also known as the chandra or moon nadi.

2-It courses from the right testicle to the left nostril and corresponds to the Ganges River. Ida is the introverted (passive), lunar nadi and controls all the mental processes & manages our emotions.

3-When Ida is flowing, the breath will be more in the left nostril & the mental energy is dominant. That time any kind of mental work may be undertaken. It is like nectar and gives strength and nourishment to the soul and the body. If Ida flows for a long time beyond the normal schedule, this signifies some imbalances in the mental processes.

4-On a physical level, the left channel controls the left-hand side of the body and the right hemisphere of the brain. People, who make excessive use of this channel, are emotional, often dwell on the past, often feel guilty and are easily dominated by others.

5-In extreme cases, they may fall prey to lethargy and depression because this channel feeds also into the skull area; pressure on the brain becomes excessive. The entire system is thrown off balance causing problems such as mental breakdown, epilepsy and senility (decay of the brain)

6-.Ida and Pingala are responsible for the two sides of human nature coexisting within every individual. Ida is the introverted, mental side of our personality and represents the lunar, subjective and receptive aspect of our being. When the flow of Prana in Ida Nadi is predominant, mentality predominates over vitality and the Jnanendriyas (organs of outer knowledge or sensory input, the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin) are activated. PINGALA NADI / SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM;-

05 FACTS;- 1-The word pingala means "tawny" & is located on our right sympathetic nervous system. It begins and ends to the right of sushumna. Pingala has a Sunlike nature and male energy with a heating effect. It is also known as surya or sun nadi.

2-Its courses from the left testicle to the right nostril & corresponds to the Yamuna River. Pingala is the extroverted (active), solar nadi & controls all the vital processes & manages our physical energy. When pingala is flowing, the breath will be more in the right nostril & the physical / vital energy is dominant. That time any kind of physical work may be undertaken.

3-It is responsible for the growth of the body. If pingala flows for a long time beyond the normal schedule, this signifies some imbalance in the pranic body. On a physical level, the right channel controls the right-hand side of the body and the left hemisphere of the brain.

4-People, who make excessive use of this channel are aggressive and dominating (ego). In extreme cases, the entire system is thrown off balance, causing problems such as often blinded by ego & then decisions and actions taken not only disrupt the lives of others but also lead to heart disease.

5-Pingala Nadi corresponds to the extroverted, expressive side of the personality and represents our solar, dynamic and objective aspect. When the Prana flows predominantly in Pingala Nadi, vitality predominates over mentality and the Karmendriyas (motor organs or organs of action, the hands, feet, sexual organs, anus and vocal cords) are activated. Symbolically, Ida can be understood as the receptive, feminine side of our being and Pingala as its masculine, expressive counterpart. SUSHUMNA NADI & PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM;-

05 FACTS;- 1-The Sushumna nadi is located on our central parasympathetic nervous system which is also known as middle path. The central channel begins in the triangular bone or sacrum and rises along the spinal column until it reaches the top of the head.

2-When ida and pingala nadis are purified and balanced and the mind is controlled, then sushumna, the most important nadi, begins to flow. The physical organs & mental organs function simultaneously & it indicates that the mind is blissful, calm, pure, balanced.

3-The spiritual energy is in power & time is good for concentration, meditation and worship. A person entering this state never complains of dispersion of mind.

4-When sushumna flows, kundalini awakens and rises through the chakras. In subtle body terms the sushumna nadi is the path to enlightenment. At a physical level, this channel coordinates our involuntary or autonomic nervous system activities such as heart beat, breathing & reflex.

5-We do not have conscious control over these activities. The parasympathetic nervous system, together with the sympathetic nervous system, constitutes the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for our spiritual evolution and our physical, mental and emotional balance.

SWAR YOGA &BALANCE BETWEEN TWO NADIS;-

09 FACTS;-

1-Swara Yoga concerns the realisation of man’s essential nature as the balance between these dual and complementary polarities.

2-According to Swara Yoga, the flow of Prana in Ida Nadi is equilibrated with the flow of breath in the left nostril and the flow of Prana in Pingala Nadi is similarly related to the breath in the right nostril. The third Nadi is Sushumna and Prana is induced to flow in this Nadi only when Ida and Pingala, the mental and vital sides of the personality, are functioning in perfect balance.

3-This can only occur when an equal volume of breath is moving in and out of each nostril. At that time, the awareness is neither introverted nor extroverted but remains balanced between the two. This is when

Sushumna Nadi flows and the state of Meditation (Dhyana) dawns effortlessly. While there is inequality of the flow of breath in the nostrils, Meditation will not supervene, and this is the case in our daily lives.

4-Bringing ida and pingala into equilibrium is a major focus of hatha yoga—so important, in fact, that the term hatha symbolizes this balance. Although the word hatha literally means "forceful" in Sanskrit, it is composed of ha and tha, two esoteric bija (seed) mantras that have arcane meaning and power.

5-Ha represents the solar qualities, the vital force, of pingala; tha represents the mind and the lunar qualities

of ida. Balancing sun and moon, or pingala and ida, facilitates the awakening and arising of kundalini, and thus the awakening of higher consciousness. In fact, some yoga teachings hold that as long as either ida or pingala predominates, sushumna stays closed and the power of kundalini lies dormant.

6-The most powerful method of balancing ida and pingala is Nadi Shodhana, alternate-nostril breathing. (Literally, the Sanskrit means "nadi cleansing.") This practice is effective because the ida nadi is directly connected to the left nostril, and the pingala nadi to the right.

7-A few rounds of this basic Pranayama technique at the end of an asana practice are an excellent way to help restore equilibrium between the two nadis and to compensate for any imbalance you may have inadvertently caused during your practice.

8-yoga distance learning The Yoga Danda or rod, which is traditionally used by Yogis to manipulate the flow of the breath in the nostrils, is fashioned of suitable length to pass from the ground to the armpit of the meditating individual.

9-The ancient Yogis found that by leaning slightly upon this rod and applying sustained pressure in one armpit the flow of breath in the opposite nostril is enhanced. They utilised this principle during Meditation practices to maintain balance between the two nostrils, equilibrating the flows of Ida and Pingala Nadis, so that Sushumna Nadi might remain open and successful Meditation continue.

TWO HEMISPHERES OF THE BRAIN;-

04 FACTS;-

1-The dual nature of the human psycho physiological framework is reflected in the very physical structure of man’s brain and central nervous system. Neurophysiological and psychological research studies have been able to demonstrate clearly that the two hemispheres of the brain are actually responsible for different abilities and characteristic modes of expression of human individuality.

2-The right hemisphere has been found to assume responsibility for the holistic,(concerned with wholes or complete ) intutional and psychic side of our perception which are Ida Nadi functions, while the left hemisphere has been found responsible for our logical, rational and analytic faculties and sequential and linear modes of thought – all Pingala Nadi functions.

3-Further, the left sensory and motor cortex regions of the brain are known to be responsible for the movement and sensation of the right side of the body, while the right cortex assumes responsibility for the left side of the body. This reciprocal innervation occurs via the ascending sensory and descending motor nerve tracts, which cross over to the right side of the midline within the brain stem and spinal cord.

4-In terms of Swara Yoga, therefore, the right side of the brain is activated when the left nostril is flowing; the left brain is activated when the right nostril flows, and whenever both nostrils flow equally, every faculty of the human brain is functioning in an optimal and integrated manner as Sushumna Nadi awakens. Then Meditation is directly experienced.

BEHAVIOUR ASSOCIATED WITH LEFT AND RIGHT HEMISPHERES:-

IDA NADI-LUNAR- FEMININE;-

1-Rational

2-Objective

3-Law

4-Math

5- Extrovert

6-Active

7-Temporal

8-Thinking

9-Logic

10-Intellect

11-Analysis

12-Digital

13-Rich and Varied Vocabulary

14-Recognition and grasping power

15-Imaginal perception defective

16-Recalls names of objects easily

17-Verbal

18-Speech

19-Power of conversation increased

20-Answers are give in detailed explanation

21-Talkative

22-Explicit(clear)

23-Partial

24-Cannot distinguish between male and female sounds

PINGALA NADI -SOLAR-MASCULINE

1-Mystical

2-Subjective

3-Art

4-Poetry

5-Introvert

6-Passive

7-Here and now

8-Feeling

9-Emotion

10-Intuition

11-Understanding

12-Analog(of a system of measurement)

13-Rich imagery(describing something symbolically)

14-Recognizes faster

15-Imaginal perception improved

16-Recognizes objects easily but cannot recall the name

17-Non verbal or Spatial(relating to)

18-Difficulty in conversing(exchange views)

19-Short and simple answers

20-Silent

21-Implicit

22-Holistic

23-Can distinguish between male and female sounds

24-Recognizes non verbal sounds like tones and tunes

........SHIVOHAM.....