What is Prana
Prana is not breath; it is the power that enables us
to breath. Prana is not energy; it is what gives energy the power to be energy.
Prana is an auto energizing force. It is the subtle life force energy needed by
the physical and subtle layers of our being. It is the prime moving force in
our body and in our universe. Prana is not seen or unseen, yet it is observable
by its actions. It is the power behind movement. Pranayama is the science of
cleansing, balancing and gaining control over the prana in the human system.
Prana creates a magnetic field in the form of the
universe and plays with it, both to maintain and destroy for further creation.
It permeates each individual as well as the universe at all levels. All that
vibrates in the universe is prana: heat, light, gravity, magnetism, vigor,
power, vitality, life and spirit are all forms of prana. It is the cosmic
personality, potent in all beings and non-beings. It act as physical energy,
mental energy; where the mind gathers information, and intellectual energy;
where information is examine and filtered. It also acts as sexual energy,
spiritual energy and cosmic energy. It is the prime mover of all activity. It
is the wealth of life.
Energy means a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to
the capacity of a physical system to do work. Energy means any source of usable
power, capacity for activity, a healthy capacity for vigorous activity, vigor,
vitality, Active-strength of body or mind.
Thermodynamics is the science of matter and energy and their interactions
concerned with the conversion of different forms of energy. We all have energy?
We are floating in the ocean on energy. Every moment we get energy and we lose
energy. When the energy we receive is greater than the energy we lose, we feel
alert happy and enthusiastic. When the energy we lose is greater than the
energy we receive we feel dull, lazy and the whole negativity comes. We lose
our precious life.
Traditionally yoga says that there are five types of
prana in the body. They have different names according to the bodily functions
with which they correspond.
These forms of prana are:
1. Udana
Vayu- Corresponding to the throat region and the function of speech, this helps
in breathing air and eating food.
2. Prana
Vayu- Corresponding to the chest region, Prana controls the breathing process
taking place inside the chest. In the form of oxygen prana takes its energy.
3. Samana
Vayu- Corresponding to the central region of the body and the function of
digestion, helps in the process of digestion and controls hunger.
4. Apana
Vayu- Corresponding to the region of lower abdomen and the function of
elimination, controls the excretory organs and the reproductive organs.
5. Vyana
Vayu- Corresponding to the distribution of energy into all the areas of the
body.