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A gift of excessive dependance on mobile phones and computers coupled with bad posture translates to problems of the cervical. The three major nadis regulating flow of prana in the body are sushumna, ida and pingala. Sushumna corresponds to the spine in physical realm and aids the rising of kundalini through various chakras. Ida and pingala are moon and sun nadis twining around the chakras and maintaining a balance in the cold and hot prana, the left and right side of the body. Another significant nadi in the pranayama kosha is Gandhaari, which controls the cervical region. 

Gandhari is the principal balancing force in the body, which ensures that you do not lose balance as you twist and turn or move about. Gandhari moves in a circular manner starting from the mooladhar chakra up to the agya and back again. It is imperative to balance this nadi to ensure long term balance of the body. You might be surprised to know that the root cause of degenerating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as observed clairvoyantly, is the malfunctioning of Gandhaari naadi.

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The first indication of imbalance in Gandhaari naadi is drooping of the shoulders, your posture changes and you feel pain. Cervical is not just any pain. It is a warning sign that something severely adverse in about to manifest in your body. Therefore, one must immediately start with corrective measures.

Sanatan Kriya details a pranayama and certain asanas for optimal functioning of Gandhaari nadi.

• To perform the Pranayam, inhale deeply and internalize; 
• As you inhale, become aware of the upward pranic movement from mool chakra to agya. Hold your breath and become aware of the praan moving down to the mooladhar from the right side and returning back again to crown chakra from the left to complete a circle. Release your breath while maintaining awareness of the agya; 
• Inhale and hold your breath again. This time become aware of prana flowing down from the left side from agya to mooladhar and coming back up from the right side. Try to feel the Gandhaari naadi with your awareness; 
• Having completed the circular movement of prana in both directions, exhale and deposit the prana that you so collected at agya back to the mool chakra in a straight line;
• Repeat the entire process seven times.

Here it is important to understand that Pranayam is not a physical exercise, it pertains to the etheric body - prana, nadis and consciousness. Often certain rapid breathing techniques are sold off-the-shelf in the name of 'Pranayam' claiming they would increase oxygen in the body so you feel healthier. If that was the case, everyone should start sporting oxygen masks and they'll be floating! More is not always good. One should strive for the optimum. In a Pranayam one observes the pranayama kosha to identify where there is congestion and depletion of prana, and balances is accordingly through consciousness.

Some Asanas  to stimulate the Gandhari and correct problems of cervical are:-

Raju Akarshan Asan

Rajju means rope. If you go to an Akhadaa you’ll see pehelvans practicing by climbing a rope using their hands. Just imagine a big rope hanging in front of you. Hold it with both hands as if you were about to climb it. Begin to move your hands as if climbing the rope by alternately gripping the imaginary rope near your forehead and bringing your hand down straight and letting go. Exhale forcefully when you bring one hand down as if pulling on the rope. Maintain awareness of the lower back region because when you are climbing a rope, that region should be strong enough.

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Dhanur Akarshan Asan

Stand straight with your fists behind your neck and elbows pointing up. Stretch your left hand forward as if holding a bow. Bring your right hand forward as if bringing an arrow up to the bow from a quiver. Pull and let go as if shooting an arrow with the bow. Release your breath quickly when you release the arrow. Now repeat the same while reversing the positions of the hands. When you exhale, be aware of the manipoorak. You will actually feel as if an arrow has left the bow and the sound of exhaling should also be similar to that of a quick woosh, the sound is essential. The whole body should have a slight shiver as the arrow is being released.

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Stand straight with your left hand behind the back from below with your palm facing outward and fingers pointing upward. Take the right hand behind the back from above and catch hold of the left hand and remain so for as long as possible.

The above asanas when performed in tandem with Gandhaari Pranayam have the effect of cleansing the chakra controlling the spine and body balance and strengthening the shoulder/cervical region. For correct practice, visit a Dhyan Foundation center near you.

Further Information

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About the Author

Ashwini Guru ji is the guiding light of Dhyan Ashram and an authority on the Vedic Sciences. His book, 'Sanatan Kriya, The Ageless Dimension' is an acclaimed thesis on anti-ageing. Log onto to www.dhyanfoundation.com  or mail to dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com  for more.