Refining the Breath: the Role of the Nadis

While most pranayama courses focus on the mechanics of breathing in the torso, centered around diaphragmatic breathing, the deeper power of pranayama for the hatha yogis lies in refinement of how the breath is directed through the throat, nasal passages, and the nose, starting with the Ujjayi breath, and leading to experiences of dharana or concentration, and ultimately higher forms of meditation. We’ll explore the modern significance of this emphasis in practical terms, and the more refined breathing practices having to do with the nadis.