This presentation details about Nadi Shastra and Nadi Chikitsa

1. Nadis
Dr.Shamantakamani Narendran
M.D. (pead), Ph.D. (yoga science)

2. What are Nadis
► Word Nadi is derived from
Sanskrit word ‘Nad’ meaning
hollow stalk, sound vibration
and resonance
► Nadis are ducts, channels
which carry air, water, blood,
nutrients and other substances
throughout the body
► They connect at special points
called “Chakras”
► There are 101 main Nadis
(channels for Prana). Each of
these has 72,000 nadis each

3. ► Varahopanishad says that the nadis
penetrate the body from the soles of
the feet to the crown of the head. In
them is prana, the breath of life.
► All nadis originate from one of two
centres: The Kandasthana – a little
above the navel and the heart.
Twelve digits above the anus and
genital organs and just below the
navel, there is an egg shaped bulb
called kanda.
► On the physical level there is a
physical body, an organ and on the
subtle level there prevails a Nadi and
they almost occupy the same space,
thus influencing one another

4. Functions and Activities of Nadis
► Nadis carry a life force energy
known as Prana in Sanskrit. Prana
circulates inside Pingala while
apana circulates inside Ida.
► Sushumna circulates kundalini in
when awakened
► The rhythmical breathing and
special breathing techniques
influence the flow of nadis, the
energy currents

5. Five Pranas
Prana takes five separate forms. These five vital forces breathe life into our
body:
► Prana is inward and downward motion. Seated in the heart, it governs
respiration, swallowing and movements of the gullet.
► Apana is downward and outward motion. Seated in the anus, it governs
excretion and the kidneys, bladder, genitals, colon and rectum. It regulates
the sense of smell, makes the body stable.
► Samana is horizontal motion. Seated in the navel, it maintains digestive fire
and regulates stomach, liver, pancreas and intestine. By maintaining Samana
Vayu, all parts of our body are properly nourished and the energy supplied by
food is evenly distributed.
► Udana is upward and outward motion. Seated in the throat above the larynx,
it regulates sleep, controls all auto functions in the head and maintains body
heat. Udana is responsible for speech, music and humming, for “kundalini”
rising up in the spine.
► Vyana is circular motion, a combination of Prana and Apana by which these
two are held. Vyana is responsible for blood flow and lymph detoxification,
sweating and coordination of all systems. Vyana means “pervading one”.

6. Nadi Channels in our body

7. Purification of Nadis
► In order to awaken the kundalini, we need
to be able to withdraw the life force
(prana) from the Nadis and concentrate it
at the point between the eyebrows
► If the Nadis are blocked, then the prana
also encounters blockages when we try to
withdraw it
► Nadis are cleansed through performance of
Kriyas and also mantras.
► With more cleansing the body becomes
stronger. One must begin to see a 5 point
star, surrounded by blue light, surrounded
by yellow. One needs to penetrate this star
to enter the realm of cosmic consciousness

8. Types of Nadis
► Alambusa: Connects the mouth and anus
► Chitra: One of the nadis emanating from the heart through which
the creative energy (Shakti) of Kundalini passes to reach the
Sahasrara (crown). Of the 101 nadis, only the chitra splits into two
parts at the root of sushumna
► Gandhari: One of the nadis is behind the Ida nadi, terminating near
the left eye, regulating the function of sight
► Hastijihva: located in front of the Ida nadi, terminating near the
right eye, regulating the function of sight
► Ida: Starting from the left nostril, moving to the crown of the head
and descending to the base of the spine. In its course it conveys
lunar energy and is therefore called Chandra nadi. Its function is
cooling (tamas), inertia.

9. ► Kausiki : Terminates at the big toes.
► Kuhu : This is located in front of the Sushumna, its function is to
evacuate faeces.
► Kurma : Subsidiary nadi whose function is to stabilize the body and
the mind.
► Payaswini : One of the nadis terminating at the right big toe,
located between the pusa (which is behind the pingala nadi and
the Saraswati (behind Sushumna).
► Pingala : (= tawny or reddish) starting at the right nostril moving to
the crown and down the spine to the base. As the solar energy flows
through it, it is also called Surya nadi. Its function is burning
(rajas), action.
► Pusa : nadi situated behind Pingala, terminating at the right ear.
Its function is hearing.
► Raka : nadi creates hunger and thirst and collects mucus at the
sinuses.

10. ► Samkhini : Terminates at the genital organs, is situated
between Gandhari and Sarasvati. It carries the essence of food.
► Sarasvati : Nadi which is behind Sushumna nadi, terminating at
the tongue, controlling speech and keeping the abdominal organs
free from disease.
► Sura : Nadi which is between the eyebrows.
► Surya : The nadi of the Sun
► Sushumna : From the base of the spine to the crown of the head,
up the centre of the spine. Its function is Agni, Fire (sattva),
illumination.
► Varuni : Nadi flows throughout the body. Its function is the
evacuation of urine. Its position is between Yasasvini - and Kuhu.

11. ► Vijnana - Nadis are vessels of consciousness.
► Visvodhari - Nadi has the function of absorption of food. Its position is
between Hastijivha and Kuhu.
► Yasasvini - nadi. (Before Pingala, between Gandhari and Sarasvati situated
between the left ear and the left big toe. In addition to the various primary and minor
nadis, the Shakta Tantra and Kundalini/Laya Yoga traditions emphasis is placed on the
central nadis which represented concentric (hence increasingly subtle) channels along or
in front of the spine, and along which are strung the 7 chakras. These 4 'central' nadis
are;
Sushumna-nadi -Starts from the Kanda-mula , lying just below the Muladara chakra
and goes upward centrally within the vertebral column.
Vajra -nadi - Starts from the starting point of Sushumna and goes upwards, lying
within Sushumna
Chitrini -nadi -Starts at the starting point of the Vajra nadi and goes upward, lying
within the Vajra nadi.
Brahma-nadi or Brahmarandra-nadi - Starts from the orifice of Swayambhu-linga in
the Muladhara chakra and goes upwards, lying within Chitrini - .
The chakras are actually said to be strung along the fine Chitrini nadi, rather than
the Sushumna as is commonly stated in the West.

12. Nadi Therapy (Chikitsa)
► Nadi Chikitsa is the oldest Indian traditional method of
healing different ailments for which it provides permanent
cure for most of the declared incurables.
► It is a system of kneading, stroking and activating different
parts of the body.
► It can relieve pain, stimulate, relax and tone the muscles.
► Massage work help the muscles under the skin and also the
deeper layers of muscles well.
► It also stimulates blood circulation

13. Types of Diseases Cured by Nadi Chikitsa
All diseases are the result of blocks or congestion in the nadi system.
► Cervical dystonia
► Brainstem stroke
► Knee problem
► RA Problem
► Polio
► Migraine
► Sciatica
► Back pain
► Cervical Spondylitis
► Frozen Shoulder
► Slipped Disc
► Parkinson’s Disease
► Neuromuscular Disorders

14. Beneficial Effects on the body
► Wonderfully beneficial for de-stressing the whole body by dispersing
toxins from knotted muscles, improving blood-circulation and helping
to oxygenate the brain.
► Total relaxation, producing a state of calm, peace and tranquility,
reducing nervous tension (stress, anxiety).
► Deeply relaxes the muscles, reducing aches and pains, neck rigidity
and headaches.
► Increases and improves the circulation of blood to the head, neck,
shoulders and face, with vital nutrients to repair and rejuvenate skin
tissue, cells and muscles.
► Stimulates the immune system from the break down of toxins in the
muscles and cells.
► Increases flow of Oxygen to the cells, opening and releasing physical
and emotional stress.

15. ► Stretches and mobilizes the tissue in the neck and shoulders
to alleviate the rigidity and replace it with flexibility.
► Improves circulation to the scalp, stimulating the skin and
helping hair growth.
► With increased blood and oxygen flow one can reduce neck
rigidity, headache, eye strain and enhances concentration.
► Irritability is reduced after receiving a massage and deep rest
is felt, helping sleep problems.
► It is a healing technique that focuses on the deeper layers of
muscle tissue.
► It releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through
slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted
areas. It is used to release chronic muscle tension through
slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction.

16. Diagnosing disease – Nadi Shastra
► Nadi Shastra is the art of pulse reading.
► Nadi readings were practiced to diagnose the disease of the patient. Just by
reading the pulse, the disease and ailment is diagnosed along with what
might have caused the problem.
► The best time to check the pulse is in the early morning, physiologically the
least active time of the day. Three fingers are used to check pulse points, the
middle, index, and ring, with the index finger placed closest to the wrist
crease
► At first, the three positions are palpated simultaneously, lightly, with medium
pressure and strongly
► After this, each position is checked separately. Different systems are used
where the pulse at each position is identified with certain organs
► When the pulse is taken, attention is given to the frequency, amplitude and
quality of the pulse.
► A normal pulse is distinct, discernible to the fingertip upon medium pressure,
and can still be palpated with the application of heavy pressure

17. ► Nadi Shastra has two critical aspects - one is the identification and
the other is the treatment. Treatment is a very critical aspect.
► Treatment is largely in the form of kadas.
► Kadas are made from herbs that are boiled in water. The treatment
aims at
cleansing these channels, pacifying the disease and nourishing the
body.
► It provides longevity, immunity against the disease.
► Successful pulse reading involves touching, feeling, observing, and
experiencing not only the rate, rhythm, and volume of the pulse; but
also its movement, amplitude, temperature, force, and consistency
in the body.
► Various problems such as infertility, obesity, hypertension, paralysis,
mental disorders, severe joint pains and skin diseases can be
detected by Nadi shastra.

18. How is Massage different from Nadi Chikitsa
► Nadi Chikitsa is a system of kneading, stroking and activating
different parts of the body. It can relieve pain, stimulate, relax and
tone the muscles
► Massage therapy helps the muscles under the skin and works under
deep layers of muscles. It stimulates blood circulation

19. Acknowledgement:
• SVyasa