Alternative nostril breathing techniques helps to bring equilibrium between the solar and lunar energies in the body. The breath naturally alternates between the two nostrils, changing approximately every two hours. The breath in our right nostril is hot, symbolically referred to as the Sun or Pingala. It is catabolic and acceleratory to the organs of our body. The flow from our left, which is cool and referred to as the Moon or Ida, is anabolic and inhibitory to our body.
Nadi (Sanscrit: tube, nerve, blood vessel, pulse) is a term for the channels through which, in traditional Indian medicine and spiritual knowledge, the energies such as prana (life force) of the body are said to flow. Within this philosophical framework, the nadis are said to connect at special points of intensity, the chakras (energy centers of the body).
The three principal nadis run from the base of the spine to the head, and are Ida on the left, Sushumna in the centre, and Pingala on the right. Many yogic practices are intended to open and unblock the nadis. The ultimate aim is to direct prana into Sushumna nadi specifically, enabling Kundalini (latent energy believed to lie coiled at the base of the spine) to rise, and thus brings liberation. Nadi are described in the ancient Hindu texts, where it's said that they are thousands of which 14 are particularly important and the 3 mention here are the most vital. "The nāḍis penetrate the body from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head. In them is prāṇa, the breath of life and in that life abides Atman (the soul) which is the abode of Shakti, creatrix of the animate and inanimate worlds." (Varaha Upanishad).
In the physical body, the nadis are channels carrying around air, water, nutrients, blood and other bodily fluids. In the subtle and the causal body, the nadis are channels for so called cosmic, vital, seminal, mental and intellectual energies (collectively described as prana) and are important for sensations, consciousness and the spiritual aura. The various practices of yoga, including the preliminary purifications or satkarmas, the yogic seals or mudras, visualisation, breath restraint or pranayama, and the repetition of mantras work together to force the prana to move from the Ida and Pingala into the central Sushumna channel. When the Sushumna nadi becomes active the concentration of the mind becomes stronger and thus results in powerful meditation.
Balancing Sun and Moon, or Pingala and Ida, facilitates the awakening and arising of Kundalini, and thus the awakening of higher consciousness. In fact, some yoga teachings said that as long as either Ida or Pingala predominates, Sushumna stays closed and the power of Kundalini lies dormant. Check the article about Nadi Sodhana Pranayama, the practice of which will help to balance them.
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