As a yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner, Vedic astrologer, shamanic practitioner, and lover of life, I have always been fascinated by the concept of prana. This vital force is what sustains not just our bodies, but also creation in every way. The ancient sages of India knew about this force long ago, and modern science is still trying to understand it.

The Sanskrit word prana comes from two syllables pra and na, and it means constancy, a force in constant motion. Prana exists in sentient beings as the energy that drives every voluntary and involuntary action. It also drives every thought and every level of the mind and body. Scientific research has described prana as a complex multidimensional energy – a combination of electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, photonic, ocular, thermal, and mental energies.

Prana also exists in the insentient world, causing motion, growth, and decay. It is the basis of all manifested creation. It is the force that emerged out of the original willing of the primal consciousness to bring about creation. In yogic science, every practice – mantra, yaga, austerities, different forms of concentration and meditation – is aimed at awakening and enhancing this vital force within both individuals and the universe as a whole.

Did you know that prana is not just present in our bodies but also the food we eat? Ayurveda recognizes seven main types of pranic energies in foods: prana (for breath, energy), apana (for elimination of waste), samana (for digestion, assimilation), vyana (for circulation), udana (for speech, expression, upward moving energy), naga (for burping), and kurma (for closing and opening of eyes).

Prana is also strongly connected to the breath. In yoga, pranayama teaches us how to regulate the breath and increase the flow of prana within the body. It helps us balance the flow of prana in the different energy centers (chakras) and channels (nadis) in the body. When prana flows freely, we experience better health, increased vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual awakening.

Prana is the fundamental force in yoga and Vedanta. It is the energy that sustains not just our bodies, but the entire universe. By practicing yoga, Ayurveda, and other forms of ancient wisdom, we can learn to harness the power of prana for our own health and well-being. Let us embrace this powerful force and live a joyful, vibrant life. I hope this information has helped you to understand prana better. Remember to honor and respect the force that is sustaining you every day. I will have a pranayama course coming out this summer.

Namaste,

Michelle

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