In relation to working with the Yoga Nadis, you’ll often find instructions, exercises, and other practices that intend to cleanse, open, activate, purify, unblock, or maintain the Nadis for therapeutic healing purposes on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual plane.
Although there are subtle differences in the verbs used above, all these practices aim at “opening and activating” the Nadi Energy Channels in order for Prana Vital Energy to flow through them freely so that they can do their intended work and functions properly, that is, distribute Prana and other subtle energies across the entire body.
As such, the Nadis play an important therapeutic role in both Ayurveda and Yoga as it’s thought that obstructed or impure Nadis can cause illnesses and/or discomforts. Therefore, Ayurvedic and Yogic healing practices tend to “cleanse, open, and activate” the Nadis, Marma Points, and Chakras.
Mind that the Nadis can become impure, blocked, or “defiled” because of many reasons: inadequate nutrition, lack of movement and exercise, inappropriate posture, immoral behavior, stress and anxiety, or an unbalanced natural environment, to name some causes.
As it is, the whole gamut of Yogic practices can come into play to open or cleanse the Nadis, which include the use of Pranayamas, Asanas, Mantras, Shatkarmas, Bandhas and Mudras, Marma Points massage, stretches, and so on. It typically depends on the ailment and on the therapist, practitioner, and/or patient what tool may be the best choice.
Nevertheless, traditionally, the ultimate goal of opening the Nadis is to direct Prana Life Force into the Sushumna Nadi, awaken Kundalini Energy, and bring about Spiritual Liberation.