The Sushumna Nadi is related to another special nerve, which is situated at the bottom end of the spine. Its name is Kundalini Nadi. It is also called ‘Serpent’ or ‘Bhujangini’ because it is situated there in three and a half circles like a snake. When mind concentrates on Sushumna, it experiences a special awakening, which affects the Kundalini Nadi also and it experiences the straightening of it upwards (awakenness).

In this way the Kundalini, which remains dormant, awakens after regular practice for a long time. It uncoils itself and rises up along with Sushumna Nadi as a snake raises it hood. Its upper end goes up to brain and it is said the pranas of a yogi reach up to Sahasrara (Dashamdwara) that is brain. When the Kundalini rises, it goes up through all the chakras. This stage comes after a deep concentration on any one of the chakras.

All these chakras are called Kamal (lotus) and the nerves, which originate from these centers, are called the Kamal-dal.

The mind and prana are deeply associated with each other. By holding the breath the mind is also held. With concentration of mind in any one of these chakras, a particular activity is experienced in the prana-nadis (channels) and in this way the activated nerves enhance the concentration of the mind further.

The Yogic Shat Chakras is an extremely important subject. Many scholars have written books about the subject. The spine is the base of these shat-chakras. Names of the six chakras, Sushumna Nadi and Kundalini are briefly described in next post.

1. The Shiva Samhita
2. The Gherund Samhita
3. The Goraksha Paddhati
4. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika

(Any of the mudras described here should not be practiced without learning from an experienced Yogi Guru).