Yoga Energy Channels & Chakra System: From Three Nadis to Seven Chakras
Schwarz
Yoga Energy Channels & Chakra System
From three main channels (Nadis) to seven chakras — a complete guide to the yoga subtle body energy system.
1. The Three Main Channels (Nadis)
The Subtle System describes the body's energy channels and centers. It consists of three main channels:
| Channel | Sanskrit | Location | Correspondence | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Channel | Sushumna | Center of spine | — | Main pathway for Kundalini ascent |
| Right Channel | Pingala | Right side of spine | Sun · Right nostril | Physical & mental activity |
| Left Channel | Ida | Left side of spine | Moon · Left nostril | Emotion, desire & existence |
Nostrils & Nervous System:
- Right nostril → Right sympathetic nervous system → Physical & mental activity quality
- Left nostril → Left sympathetic nervous system → Emotion, desire & existence quality
Kundalini energy flows through these channels, maintaining mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being after awakening.
2. The Seven Chakras
Seven energy centers are distributed along the spine from base to crown, each with a color, seed mantra, and affirmation:
| Chakra | Sanskrit | Location | Color | Seed Mantra | Affirmation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root | Muladhara | Base of spine | Red | LAM | I am |
| Sacral | Svadhisthana | Lower abdomen | Orange | VAM | I feel |
| Solar Plexus | Manipura | Stomach | Yellow | RAM | I do |
| Heart | Anahata | Center of chest | Green | YAM | I love |
| Throat | Vishuddha | Throat | Blue | HAM | I talk |
| Third Eye | Ajna | Between eyebrows | Indigo | OM | I see |
| Crown | Sahasrara | Top of head | Purple | OM | I understand |
From bottom to top, the affirmations progress from "existence" → "feeling" → "action" → "love" → "expression" → "awareness" → "understanding" — corresponding to ascending levels of consciousness.
3. Chakra-Hand Correspondence
Each chakra maps to a specific part of the hand, useful for activating chakras through mudras during meditation:
| Chakra | Hand Position | Attribute | Affirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root | Base of palm (near wrist) | SECURITY | I am |
| Sacral | Thumb tip | CREATIVITY | I feel |
| Solar Plexus | Center of palm | CONFIDENCE | I do |
| Heart | Index finger tip | COMPASSION | I love |
| Throat | Middle finger tip | SELF-EXPRESSION | I talk |
| Third Eye | Ring finger tip | INTUITION | I see |
| Crown | Upper palm | SPIRITUALITY | I understand |
4. Summary
The Subtle System is a complete energy map in the yoga tradition:
- Three main channels are the pathways for energy flow
- Seven chakras are the centers where energy converges
- Hand correspondences provide an entry point for meditation practice
Understanding this system allows for conscious regulation and balancing of one's energy state through meditation, breathwork, and mudra practice.
Illustrations: Sahaja Yoga system | Compiled by: 小Z