Visualize an inner landscape of rivers, breezes, and jewels. That’s the subtle body in Vajrayāna—an esoteric map guiding every yogic journey.

Channels (Tib. tsa)
Imagine three primary conduits winding through the spine: the central channel (avadhūti or ‘unchanging flow’), flanked by the left (īḍā) and right (piṅgalā) channels. These aren’t physical nerves but energetic highways. The central channel leads to clarity and nonduality, while the side channels weave the play of dualistic experience.

Winds (Tib. rlung)
Prāṇa or “lifebreaths” dance through these channels in five principal forms: ascending, descending, pervading, moving, and life-sustaining winds. Each wind governs a different realm—speech, mind, digestion, movement, and overall vitality. When winds swirl wildly (think emotional storms), the mind gets distracted. Taming them is like calming restless waves to reveal a still lake underneath.

Drops (Tib. thig le)
Subtle “drops” are like hidden pearls of essence. They rest at key chakra points—most famously in the heart and crown regions. In the central channel, the white drop at the crown and the red drop at the navel merge during advanced practices. This alchemical fusion unlocks profound bliss and insight, much like two rivers converging into an ocean of awareness.

Practices in Action
Through mantra recitation, visualizations, and specific breathing techniques—think inner heat (tummo) igniting the drop’s dissolution—these elements are coaxed into harmony. Modern breathwork trends, inspired by Himalayan yogis (à la Wim Hof’s publicity splash), echo this ancient science, proving that breath and mind truly go hand in hand.

Ultimately, the subtle body serves as both laboratory and temple. By skillfully circulating winds through the channels and melting the drops into the central channel, realization blossoms—revealing that the truest sanctuary lies not “out there,” but within.