Sushumna
Also known as: Central Channel, Sushumna Nadi
Sanskrit: sushumna, meaning most gracious or most benevolent.
Sushumna is the central subtle-energy channel described in yogic and tantric physiology, running along the spine from the base to the crown of the head. Kundalini energy is said to rise through Sushumna during advanced practice, in contrast to Ida and Pingala, the two channels that spiral around it.
In hatha yoga and kundalini yoga, most everyday pranayama naturally alternates between Ida, associated with the left nostril and a cooling, calming quality, and Pingala, associated with the right nostril and a heating, activating quality. Practices such as Nadi Shodhana, alternate nostril breathing, are traditionally described as balancing Ida and Pingala so that energy can eventually move through Sushumna, considered the channel of deeper meditative and spiritual awakening.
Sushumna is described as running through the center of the spinal column from the base to the crown, the channel through which kundalini energy is said to rise once awakened, distinct from the two side channels, Ida and Pingala, that cross it at each chakra. Practices like alternate nostril breathing are specifically designed to balance Ida and Pingala so energy can move more freely through Sushumna, illustrating how the three nadis are typically described as working together rather than as separate, unrelated systems.
Go Deeper
Related Terms
Nadi
Nadis are the subtle energy channels described in yogic physiology through which prana is said to flow. Classical texts describe thousands of nadis, with three considered most important: Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna, which form the basis for many pranayama and kundalini-related practices.
Kundalini
Kundalini is a subtle energy described in yogic and tantric traditions as lying dormant, often symbolized as a coiled serpent, at the base of the spine. Through practices such as pranayama, asana, and meditation, this energy is said to be gradually awakened and directed upward through the body's subtle channels.
Granthi
Granthis are three subtle energetic knots described in yogic and tantric physiology, said to block the free flow of energy through the Sushumna channel and to correspond to psychological patterns of attachment, fear, and identity. They are traditionally named Brahma Granthi, Vishnu Granthi, and Rudra Granthi.