Ancient Yogic texts inform us that the body is divided into to polar opposite sides (left and right) each side of the spine. This centre line, following the spine axis, they call the Sushumna, running between the nostrils (head) and coccyx area. Revolving around this centre line , there are said to be two energy channels, known as Ida and Pingala, which cross over at certain important points. These are known as energy centres, or chakras, of which there are thought to be seven main ones. Similar to a helix, these two channels (Ida and Pingala) rotate up and around the Sushumna (spinal chakras) , spiralling up like a coil, converging at the energy points.
Without going into detail (any yoga book will give you the specifics), the basic idea is that Ida (Passive side), interacts with Pingala (assertive) to form a equilibrium within the body. Or if you prefer, the yin and yang, the masculine and feminine, merge. Each side, the left and right has its function, and when perfect balance is achieved there is a marriage of the two sides which form a union. Like a traditional marriage, the left nostril side is associated with feminine characteristics, such as receptivity, and sensitivity. I am not saying feminine as in Female. No, you can have feminine females and masculine males, I am talking about universal principles of reality. Interestingly, practically speaking for our purposes the left nostril activity is associated with lateral (sideways) movements of the body. This is because it tends to activate the right hemisphere, which controls the left side of the body predominantly. On the other hand, the right nostril breathing is associated with the polar opposite of the left, assertiveness, dominance, and horizontal/advancing movements. This means activity emphasising the right nostril encourages the right hemisphere, which controls the right side of the body. In other words, the two sides perform different functions, but are part of a piece.
You may have seen how boxers tend to throw out the jab from the left hand, which is a kind of “feeler” to test how receptive the target is in terms of range and positioning. If the target is then in range and position, the assertive right hand is then thrown forward to aggressively attack the opponent1. What you might not have noticed is that the left side of the whole body tends to move laterally, whereas the right tends to move horizontally and forwards. For example, the sword or spear attacks and is held in the right hand. Whereas the shield defends and absorbs (is receptive) and defends across the body. In more mundane instances, the right hand grabs the bottle, and the left hand horizontally twists. There are exceptions of course, but I am speaking in general.
The point of convergence, the centre line (spine), is where the two sides become one and are no longer differentiated, and it is from here the two polar opposites form a synthesized whole. From here it no longer matters what each side of the body does, whether it twists and turns, advances and stabs, because from here the two functions act upon each other and become mutually supportive. For example, the left side twists, and at the same time the right side extends the arm and there is a twofold nature involved in the movement of punching, kicking, grabbing etc. That is why it is important to think about remaining centred, because it is from here that peripheral considerations form a whole. Otherwise without this reciprocal nature of the two sides, the left and right, the yin and yang, fire and water…feminine and masculine – call it what you like, movements don’t make any sense. Yes, it is important to view things from the centre as a whole.
Different sides are predominant at different times of the day, according to the Yogic texts, and can change every 60-90 minutes on average. This is influcned by certain breathing patterns. In terms of breathing, the left nostril is associated with mental work using the imagination, and you tend to be more introverted when the flow of this side dominates. The left nostril tends to also predominate during sleep2, otherwise you may end up restless and unable to relax into sleep if the right nostril is flowing. The right is associated with physical work and energy. Not surprisingly, if right nostril flow predominates, one tends to be more aggressive, energized, instinctive, and assertive. On the other hand if the left nostril is flowing more freely, one tends to be more introverted, less energised, and less reactive. There are various exercises for developing each polarity, but without guidance I think this can do more harm than it’s worth, and it would take too long to go into specifics, so I will leave that aside for now. The trick is to have the two sides, or mans two natures, work in harmony3.
The important thing to remember is that when these two currents, or polarities, are acting in concert and in harmony, you will experience balance and power. As I was saying, the meeting point of these two currents is the centre line, the spine, and by working with the solar plexus, the Manapura Chakra, you can tap into the immense powers of the circulatory system as a whole. The solar plexus works on the unconscious states of the body, and can even alter these states with extensive work, according to ancient Hindu tradition. This is achieved through breathing exercises and meditation. In other words, if they placed such importance on breathing, it was not simply to relax but to evolve their hereditary pre dispositions, rather than to just to accept these states, which everyone else thought were fixed. Western science is beginning to reveal the extent to which the outer environment alters hereditary disposition, but it often keeps quiet about the inner environment, which is what interests me first of all.
The unconscious, or the sympathetic nervous system, is controlled by the solar plexus and if you want to influence certain certain thoughts, feelings, and states it is here you must work. In fact, because the solar plexus is at work at night time, it is then you should switch off you phone, stop vigorous work, and settle down to prepare for rest and sleep. You will then ensure that you reserves are not depleted for the next day. In other words, I recommend switching of stimulus to the brain hours before sleeping and working on the solar plexus instead.
By doing certain breathing exercises, you can influence things such as mood, vital functions, and then when these efforts become almost habit, you have improved your overall health and well being. From there you will be able to train better, think more clearly, and overcome certain weakness and illnesses, which would otherwise get worse with age or simply weather you over time. That is why certain traditions recommend identifying with certain forces of nature and thinking of symbols of the deity, because it is written that by doing this the disciple becomes a demi god himself. Of course, breathing does not overcome or act on weakness directly, but you will be familiar with how the spine interacts with the nervous system, which in turn acts upon excitability of the muscles and organs etc., and from here it is easy to see how one system acts as an intermediary to affect another.
The brain is not separate from this centre, the solar plexus, and when you circulate energy from here, or prana or Chi if you like, as the Asian traditions call it, this influences the brain. The Spine is the channel through which the energies transfer to the brain and consciousness is altered. For example, if stimulus is taken exclusively from the outside world (for example in media), there can be a kind of over stimulation of the senses, and various disordered behaviour, and God only knows what the intention is of the advertisers and promoters of this kind of media is! It is possible therefore to reduce this overload of the brain by relying more on inner resources, or if you like letting breathing stimulate the centres from within to act upon the outside world. Of course, meditation and breathing can be used to escape reality, and it often is, however, in my view it is often better to use these exercises as a means to act on the outside world rather than hide from it. Actually, there is no reason not to do both, retreat to the inner fortress, fortify and then go on the attack, symbolically speaking.
When the Solar plexus is fully active and trained as a energy storehouse, you will be able to appear more pleasant and harmonious to others, and many of the agitations you might cause other people will come to an end4. It is not through cowardice the the Martial artist becomes more submissive to the agitations around him, but through developing strength. Of course, this all takes extensive training and dedication, but it is possible and worth doing. The harmony you have cultivated within will radiate out, and the inner state will begin to manifest outwardly.
When you have worked on developing inner harmony, you can then engage with aggressive Martial Arts training without letting this out chaotic display interrupt and destroy your inner harmony. This takes work and I assure you without this work, the training often engaged in for its own sake of gratifying the senses, is what devours and consumes many aspirating martial artists. You are of course free to believe this or not, but I warn you, these forces should be handled with the utmost respect and diligence.
There will be times when you need a vitality boost for example, which intensive training can induce. For example, when you are tired and lacking in energy, a simple walk can wake you up, even if its light exercise. when it comes to intensive training, like bagwork, less is often more5. However, there will be times when you are overly stimulated in one way or another, which will require meditative exercises. As you can see, you can train one in isolation from the other, but only with the view of overall Harmony, which should be a constant preoccupation to training.
Closely linked to the Solar plexus is the Hara Centre6. I have already talked a lot about this. However, the Hara centre can be viewed as the main energy centre, and in Tai Chi and Yoga many practitioners recommend focus exclusively on this area. In yoga it is called the Muladhara, and in Chinese Traditions it is called the Dan Tien. Anyway, it forms part of the whole region of the Chakras and energy centres, running up the Spine as I was saying before. It is of course intimately linked to the Solar plexus, and one influences the other.
How does the Hara Centre work with the Solar Plexus? breathing exercises which make use of the Solar plexus and diaphragm prepare the body to receive more Pranic or Chi energies. And to Make use of the energies, one needs to adopt a suitable position for breathing, such as the lotus position, or sitting in a chair with a relaxed yet naturally straight spine (not overly rigid, and actually this is a general point, because in many natural positions there is curvature, which is normal). I will say no more than that these energies of the Hara are located in “the bowels of the earth”. And from the hara centre through breathing exercises, these energies are converted to oxygen which is distributed in the lungs to enrich the blood supply, which in turn invigorates the rest of the body. Everything is linked. From this perspective, the body (earth) can be seen as very much related to the blood and oxygen (Water and Air), and this is influenced not only by the outside environment but also the inner one.
Now for some exercises7. Listening to running water, such as the sound of a river flowing or the ocean can have a great effect on the Solar Plexus. Of course, breathing exercises are also advisable. For example, the basic way Yogis breath is to concentrate on the breath, and how it travels up and down the spine region, or Sushumna. By concentrating, you can tap into the ebb and flow of nature, and therefore have it influence you whilst coming to relate to it. after that, the Yogi is able to control his breath with the will as he sees fit, however, only after a certain knowledge and understanding is reached.
When it comes to nostril practice, to work on the right and left sides, you can try alternate nostril breathing. Begin by closing the left Nostril and breathing deeply though the right to the count of 4. Hold until the count of 16. Exhale though the left nostril to the count of 8. You hold the nostril closed with the middle finger. Repeat this 6 times to start with, doubling each numbers respectively also doing that 6 times in total – doubling only if its too easy, there no need to go higher than that I would say. Alternatively, many Yogis recommend holding to the count of three and exhaling to the same count equally. You can try both methods and see what works for you, however I wouldn’t recommend launching headfirst into complicated and dangerous breathing exercises without expert guidance.
References
1 Fire and Water, the left hand should know what the right is doing https://intuitivemartialarts.com/2021/01/13/the-left-hand-should-know-what-the-right-is-doing/
2 Methods for Sleep https://intuitivemartialarts.com/2020/04/28/methods-for-sleep/
3 Inner Disharmony https://intuitivemartialarts.com/2021/01/05/inner-disharmony/
4 Self Defence without Violence https://intuitivemartialarts.com/2020/06/14/self-defence-without-violence/
5 High Intensity Work and Balance https://intuitivemartialarts.com/2020/07/05/high-intensity-work-and-balance/
6 The Hara Centre https://intuitivemartialarts.com/2020/10/25/the-hara-centre/ and Staying in the Centre https://intuitivemartialarts.com/2021/01/28/stay-in-the-centre/
7 Active Relaxation https://intuitivemartialarts.com/2020/04/27/active-relaxation/
