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Kundalini Awakening - Prana Flows in Ida OR Pingala
Kundalini Awakening - Prana Flows in Ida OR Pingala
Kundalini Awakening
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#1: Prana normally flows in either Ida or Pingala: Our kundalini energy
system is usually more active in either the left or right sides, which are the Ida and
Pingala. Of the thousands of energy channels (nadis), three are most important:
Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna (sometimes called "silver cord"), which is the central
channel, and the most important.
Solar and lunar breaths: The breath and the underlying energy, or Prana, usually
flow predominantly on one side or other, the left or the right. Breath predominantly
in the left nostril is described as cool, and sometimes referred to as feminine. The
flow of Prana on the left is the lunar, and is called Ida. Breath flowing
predominantly in the right nostril is described as hot, and sometimes referred to as
masculine. The flow of Prana on the right is the solar, and is called Pingala.
Nostril dominance shifts: Usually we believe that we are breathing through both
nostrils, although breath is normally dominant in one or the other. The dominance
shifts from time to time during the day. For one with a well balanced body and
mind, that shift of nostril dominance happens approximately once in ninety
minutes. For other people, the shift may be much different. Sometimes one can be
so off balance that one nostril remains dominant, which is a symptom of some
physical, mental, or emotional difficulties.
Prana is the first energy: The word Prana comes from two roots. Pra means
first, and na is the smallest unit of energy. Prana is therefore the first breath, the
primal or atomic beginning of the flow of energy. Out of this first unit of energy
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manifests all aspects and levels of the human being. It is one and the same with
kundalini shakti.
Prana divides itself into five Vayus: When kundalini comes outward as Prana,
the Prana operates in the body, it divides into five major flows called Vayus. These
can be thought of as somewhat like major currents in one of the large oceans of
the world, while there may be thousands of smaller currents. These five Vayus are
the major currents that contain thousands of smaller currents.
Prana Vayu operates from the heart area, and is an upward flowing energy,
having to do with vitalizing life forces.
Apana Vayu operates from the base of the torso, in the rectum area, is a
downward flowing energy, and has to do with eliminating or throwing off
what is no longer needed.
Samana Vayu operates from the navel area, deals with digestion, and
allows the mental discrimination between useful and not useful thoughts.
Udana Vayu operates from the throat and drives exhalation, operating in
conjunction with Prana Vayu, which deals with inhalation.
Reversing Prana and Apana Vayu: Most significant about the five Vayus are
Prana vayu and Apana Vayu. As mentioned above, Prana Vayu is an upward flowing
energy and Apana Vayu is a downward flowing energy. One of the ways of
describing the process of intentional Kundalini Awakening is that these two
energies are intentionally reversed through a variety of practices. Reversing the
energy causes the Kundalini at the base of the subtle spine to awaken, and to
begin to arise. Although this is not necessarily an easy thing to do, it is very useful
to know that there is a basic simplicity to this process, that of reversing these two
energy flows. (See also Yoga Sutras, particularly sutras 2.49-2.53 on pranayama.)
Prana drives the ten indriyas: Prana is the source of energy that operates the
ten indriyas. Five are the karmendriyas or instruments of actions, which are
elimination, procreation, motion, grasping and speaking. Five are the jnanendriyas
or cognitive senses, which are smelling, tasting, seeing, touching, and hearing.
These ten operate through the chakras, and receive their power from the Prana.
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