Kundalini Yoga Glossary
Ida Nadi
The left of the body's three main subtle energy channels, also called Chandra Nadi.
Meaning
What Ida Nadi Means
Ida Nadi, also called Chandra Nadi, is the left of three central channels described in the subtle body, alongside Pingala, or Surya Nadi, on the right, and Sushumna, the central channel that follows the spine.
Of 72,000 subtle channels said to run through the body, these three are the main ones. Energy entering through the crown of the head, the Tenth Gate, is said to collect in the chakras, and Ida and Pingala are the channels that flank the central Sushumna along the spine.
In Practice
How It’s Used
In Chandra Bhedana Pranayama, inhales are taken through the left nostril and channeled through Ida, while exhales pass through Pingala on the right. This is described as purifying, refreshing, and balancing to the parasympathetic nervous system.
In meditation, focusing the gaze at the tip of the nose is said to bring Ida and Pingala, and then Sushumna, to a center of balance, stimulating the pineal gland.
