Prana, is called ‘life force’, ‘universal energy’, ‘ki’ and ‘chi’. It is the omnipresent animating force which suffuses everything. Scientifically speaking, all matter is composed of energy vibrating at different frequencies. There is a common denominator within that energy which could be described as Prana.
“Our body is nothing but a fluctuating field of energy and once we understand this, it is easy
to see how this body of energy is part of the universal field of energy.”
to see how this body of energy is part of the universal field of energy.”
- excerpt from Yoga Magazine archive by Bihar School of Yoga
In yoga, Prana is thought about in two ways. This could be compared to seeing the big picture, the macrocosm and the little picture, the microcosm. The word ‘Purusha’ describes Prana (with a capital ‘P’) in its universal state as undifferentiated energy, ‘all-that-is’ or pure consciousness. ‘Prakriti’ describes prana (with a lower case ‘p’), that has become differentiated into matter, be that a human being, a flower or a rock.
It is believed that Purusha consciousness wants to experience itself so therefore manifests into Prakriti. There are comparisons between this philosophy and many religions, for instance, the Christians believe that Jesus was God in the form of man. God (or Purusha) becoming incarnate (prakriti). The Christian religion also compares the concept of God with breath. “The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
In “Light on Yoga” by BKS Iyengar, the glossary describes Prana as, “breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy, strength. It also connotes the soul”. So there is an association between breath/air and Prana.
Pranayama is the act of directing the flow of Prana through the use of breathing exercises and this vital energy is believed to be divided and circulated within the human organism by the ‘five winds’ or vayus.
The vayus of the pranic body have distinct functions and directions of flow as follows:
- Prana-Vayu – located in the head and centred at the point of the ajna chakra (third eye) this is known as the inward moving wind as it governs all receptive activities including inhalation, sensory stimulation and mental recognition. This energy also pervades the thoracic region and is the fundamental force feeding the other vayus.
- Apana-Vayu – the downward moving wind which is located in the pelvic floor with energies pervading the lower abdomen. This energy nourishes the organs of reproduction, digestion and elimination.
- Vyana-Vayu – situated in the heart and lungs, the outward moving wind travels centrifugally to the periphery of the body and governs circulation.
- Udana-Vayu – the upward moving wind, located in the throat with a circular flow around the head and neck, governing communication, subtle growth and self-expression.
- Samana-Vayu – the balancing wind with a centripetal action culminating in the naval. Governs the digestion and assimilation of all substances: food, air, experiences, emotions and thoughts
There are also five further sub-categories or ‘upa pranas’:-
• Naga – belching, hiccups
• Krikara – hunger, thirst, sneezing
• Devadatta – yawning
• Koorma – blinking, eye movements
• Dhananjaya – bodily integrity
These ten differentiated forms of prana form the pranic body or ‘Pranamaya Kosha ’. Yoga seeks to create an influence over these usually unconscious energy systems through cleansing techniques, breathing exercises, energy locks, postures and directed intention.
Through my practice of pranayama, I have experienced prana as a rushing/tingling sensation throughout my head, especially around my eyes and forehead, running down my arms into my hands.
Yogic practices aim to unite the vayus, particularly prana and apana, in the ‘sushumna nadi’, a central energy channel. This results in the evolution of our consciousness and brings us closer to ‘samadhi’ – enlightenment.
Bibliography
Muktibodhananda S., (1993), Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Bihar School of Yoga
Satchidananda S., (1978), The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Integral Yoga
Mascaro J., (1965), The Upanishads, Penguin Group
BWY Handouts
Written by Justine Aldersey-Williams Oct 2007
