Yoga Study

YOGASANA The Nadis • The Koshas FITNESS The Nadis The Energy Channels of the Body

The Nadis may sound like a 90s all-girl rock band, but they are actually System. Sushumna is the central channel that runs the course of the the energy channels through which Prana travels. Prana is the divine spinal cord and runs the Central Nervous System. energy which gives us life and consciousness. It is said that there is a Ida and Pingala begin in the brain at the Pituitary gland. Then they network of 72,000 Nadis that transport this energy to all parts of your weave themselves in opposite directions left and right as they travel body. In an anatomical sense they correspond to the nervous system, down the path of Sushumna along the spine. Where these three nadis but in the yogic tradition we learn that they also influence the astral intesect, we have the centres of energy that we call the Chakras. and spiritual aspects of ourselves. There are six of these intersections starting with the Ajna Chakra, the When the Nadis are working as they should, then you will feel healthy third eye, and ending at Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spine. and generally happy. But all is not so simple for us, modern humans, so There are several ways in which one may move energy through the in general there are usually blockages in the system causing us to feel nadis and balance the chakras. Two of these are through the practice out of balance or unwell. of hatha yoga, the physical practice of connecting the body and the There are three Nadis that run through the body between the base breath, and through meditation. By practising hatha yoga regularly of the spine and the crown of the skull. Ida starts in the left side of in combination with meditation, you will begin to feel more balanced the body and runs the Parasympathetic Nervous System. Pingala and better connected with your inner self which will improve your begins on the right side of the body and runs the Sympathetic Nervous overall health and sense of wellbeing. © Jen Brown 2015

The Koshas The Layers of Experience Anandamaya Kosha In addition to the Chakras and the Nadis, we have the Koshas. The Vijnanamaya Kosha Koshas, as shown by the rainbow emanating from the person, are Manomaya Kosha Pranamaya Kosha the five layers, or sheaths, of a person’s being. Yogis believe that each Annamaya Kosha individual is capable of connecting with divinity, but in order to open that connection, one must be able to penetrate these layers to get to the deepest part of one’s soul. By doing so, it is said that one will find Ida Nadi bliss and oneness with the universe. The practice of yoga is one way in Pingala Nadi which we can delve deeper into ourselves and penetrate these layers to reveal a more enlightened version of ourselves. © Jen Brown 2015 Yogasana Fitness The outermost layer is Annamaya Kosha, shown as red in the graphic. It represents our physical body. It is a very important layer because it is repsponsible for nourishing and healing the body. This includes nutrition and exercise, such as yogasana, the poses practised in class. The second layer, Pranamaya Kosha, shown as yellow, is the energy body. This regulates the physical and mental energies through the Chakras and Nadis. To connect with this layer we practise the fifth and sixth branches of yoga Pranayama and Pratyahara, control of the breath and control of the senses, respectively. By drawing our awareness to the breath and the senses this layer will work harmoniously with the others. The third layer, Manomaya Kosha, shown as green, contains our thoughts and feelings. By practising Dharana, concentration, you will be able to explore this layer. When well-balanced you will have rational and logical thoughts, which will then influence your actions and interactions with others. The fourth layer, Vijnanamaya Kosha, shown as blue, is the layer of wisdom, intuition and consciousness. The seventh branch of yoga, Dhyana, or meditation, is the practise by which we can connect to this layer. Individuals in touch with this layer are wise and act honorably towards others because their actions are thoughtful. The final layer, Anandamaya Kosha, shown as pink, is the sheath that contains bliss, pure and unchanging peace, joy and love. We are all capable of connecting with this layer, but only after we are able to go beyond the other layers. Once you are able to do so, you will have achieved Samadhi, the final branch of yoga, which is meditative absorption by which one feels a sense of enlightenment by connecting with something divine beyond one’s physical body and conscious mind. © Jen Brown 2015