Prana

What does everybody desire? Energy…… Free of cost & everywhere around us? That is  'Prana'….Whatever you call it…’Chi’ in China or ‘Ki’ in Japan or “God’s breath moved upon the waters” (Bible).All vibrating energies are prana at work. In closer context to Yoga, it is translated to breath, which is just the beginning. Then follows the ‘ayama’ which is what we do with our breathing which can be control, restraint, elongation or manipulation of breath in any form.

Asana & Pranayama support each other. One cannot exist without the other. When you have sufficient prana flowing through the temple of your soul(body), you can spread your consciousness within which in turn improves our asana practice. Whereas asana which strengthens us in turn affects how well we generate more prana. Prana is the link to our infinite intelligence. It creates that inner flexibility…the outer flexibility is just the additional bonus that comes along? Or the asana channels the Prana to flow freely without obstructions. Even that soul needs that Prana to remain in our temple (body).

Very interesting & challenging is doing Suryanamaskars holding your breath. When we inhale we take the energizing nutrients of that breath. When we retain the breath after inhalation (kumbakha) that energy or prana is trapped in our body and distributed through circulation. Depending on capacity this effect is very apparent because the body automatically starts to conserve  and align and respect the amount of breath available and still do the best of postures.What happens when you are trying to accomplish that whole series of Suryanamaskars with that retained breath? Panic & Greed for air eventually comes up! Very well explained by BKS Iyengar, it signifies our instinctive attachment to life itself.And when we release that breath, it’s the feeling of surrender & accomplishment.

Prana is the hinge between the mind & body. The practice of Pranayama just helps to go beyond the normal limitations of mind & the reach the ultimate energy of the Universe (Prana).