Prana - A Classical Yogic View

Prana is the universal principle of energy or force. It is the sum total of all energy that is manifest in the universe, all the forces in nature and powers which are hidden in men and which lie everywhere around us. This prana remains in a subtle, motionless, unmanifested, undifferentiated state during the cosmic pralaya, dissolution. When the vibration is set up, prana moves and acts upon akasha, space, and brings forth the various forms. The macrocosm, brahmanda, and microcosm, pindanda, are combinations of prana and akasha.

All forces, all powers and prana spring from the fountain or common source, known as atman. Heat, light, electricity, magnetism are manifestations of prana. It may be in either a static or a dynamic state. It is found in all forms from the highest to the lowest, from the ant to the elephant, the unicellular amoebae to man, from the elementary forms of plant life to the developed forms of animal life.

Whatever moves or has life is but an expression or manifestation of prana. It is prana that shines in your eyes. It is through the power of prana that the ear hears, the eye sees, the skin feels, the tongue tastes, the nose smells and the brain and the intellect perform their functions. The smile of a young lady, the melody in music, the power in the emphatic words of an orator, the charm in the speech of one’s beloved are all due to prana. Whatever you behold in this sense-world, whatever moves or works or has life, is but an expression or manifestation of prana.

Prana is force, magnetism and electricity. Radio waves travel through prana. That which moves the steam engine of a train and a steamer, which causes the motion of breath in lungs, that which is the very life of this breath itself, is prana.

It is prana that pumps the blood from the heart into the arteries or blood vessels. Through prana digestion, excretion and secretion take place. Prana digests the food, turns it into chyle and blood, and sends it into the brain and mind. The mind is then able to think and enquire into the nature of Brahman.

Prana is the link between the astral and physical body. When the slender thread-link of prana is cut, the astral body separates from the physical body. Death takes place. The prana that was working in the physical body is withdrawn into the astral body.

Prana - A Modern Yogic view

Prana is a Sanskrit word that translates as “vital life force.” Understanding what prana is and how it works is like being given a key that can unlock new improved levels of health and wellbeing—on the inside and out.

Our outermost layer, the physical body, is what we tend to associate with the most.

Less tangible, but no less real, is the energy that exists within and around the physical body. In yoga, we call this energy prana, the vital life force that sustains life everywhere.

It is also known as qi, chi, and ki; for example, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Reiki, are all eastern practices that work with this life force just as yoga works with prana.

In our physical body, blood flows through veins, capillaries, and arteries. In our energy body, prana flows through energy pathways called nadis (nadi translates as flow).

Prana rides on the breath, so when we breathe in, we take in prana. When we expand the breath and improve the quality of it, we are expanding and improving the quality of this vital life force within and around us. This is exactly what yoga breathing techniques, or pranayama, are designed to do.

An important aspect of the pranic body are the chakras, or energy centres. In yoga, we focus on the seven major chakras that exist along the line of the spine, each one connected to specific glands and organs of the physical body, as well as areas of our mind that influence our personality.

It is believed by many that health and wellbeing comes when there is a balanced energy flow through each of the seven major chakras.

On the flipside, when prana is prevented from flowing naturally, either becoming blocked or overactive at a certain point, it can create disharmony on both a physical and emotional level.

How to Improve Prana Intake and Flow

Improving our Pranic Intake and the quality of its flow, can easily be acheived by adhering to a regularly scheduled program of:

- Conscious Breathing Exercises

- Conscious physical activity (movement, exercise, Chi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi...)

- Meditation practice

- A sincere adherance to the principles delineated by the Yamas and Niyamas