According to yogic anatomy, our bodies contain a complex network of channels where subtle energy flows. In Sanskrit, the word for these pathways or ‘little rivers’ is nadis. Flowing through the rivers is prana, the life force energy that animates all things. On a gross level, these pathways are visible to the eye in the imaging of the nervous system, lymphatic system and cardiovascular system. But the yogic texts say there are thousands of these rivers in our bodies. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika lists 72,000 nadis, each branching out into 72,000 more channels and so on. These very subtle channels can be felt but not seen.
Through the wear and tear of daily life, these rivers get congested or obstructed by our sticky thoughts, unchecked emotions, unwholesome diet, and a lack of physical activity. When the channels are obstructed, it affects how we move in the world and relate to ourselves and others.
My son, Workneh, was adopted from Ethiopia when he was six years old. He came to NYC only speaking Amharic. When we would visit friends or meet neighbors on the street, Workneh would say hello and goodbye in a traditional Ethiopian way. His left hand would hold under his right forearm, his right hand stretched out to shake hands with the person across from him. He would also bow his head and body slightly as he held their hand, looking them straight in the eyes. One time as we were leaving his first Brooklyn holiday party, he went around to everyone in the room and said goodbye to them individually in this way. There was a straight pathway of energy between him and the other person, like the rivers inside of him flowed into the rivers of the person he was greeting.
A daily spiritual practice (could be chanting, asana, pranayama, or meditation) will open the rivers in the body so that prana can move. When the mind and hear are unobstructed, we can love and receive love without interruption.
Here is a simple breathing practice you can do to open your nadis called Nadi Shodhana, cleansing of the rivers.
Sit in a comfortable cross legged position. With your right hand, fold your first and second finger into the palm, leaving the ring and pinky fingers straight out. Bring your thumb to your right nostril, lightly pressing into the side of the nose below the hard cartilage, inhale and exhale through the left nostril five times. Slow the breaths down and count the same number on the inhale as the exhale (for example, 5 count inhale and 5 count exhale). After five breaths on the left, gently close the left nostril with the ring finger and take 5 breaths through the right nostril. Repeat this 3 to 5 times.