Ida Nadi and Pingla Nadi
"Nadis penetrate the body from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head. In them is prana, the breath of life and in that life abides Atman (the soul), which is the abode of Shakti, the somic energy of the animate and inanimate worlds." - Chapter 5, Verse 54, Varaha Upanishad.
An important fact to note here is that the right side of your body connects to the left half of your brain. And the left side of your body connects to the right side of your brain.
LEFT HALF - (SW-NE)
​
Para-Sympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
​
IDA Nadi
​
Governs Right Brain Hemisphere
LEFT HALF - (NE-SW)
​
Sympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
​
PINGLA Nadi
​
Governs Left Brain Hemisphere
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
This is the system which controls the body’s responses to a perceived threat and is responsible for the “fight or flight” response. To counter any threat, it leads to an increased level of activity which includes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, a diversion of blood flow from the skin to the internal organs, increased pupil size, metabolic changes etc.
The SNS corresponds to the Pingala Nadi, the right energy channel within the human body.
Para-Sympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
The function of this system is to lead the body to rest, conserve and restore energy. It does this by a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure, a facilitation of digestive processes and the elimination of waste products. It gives the body an opportunity to rest, repair and consolidate.
The PNS corresponds to the Ida Nadi – the left energy channel within the human body.