Prana

Origin in Indian tradition

The word prana derives from Sanskrit roots meaning "that which goes forward, that which is breathed, that which animates". It appears already in the most ancient Vedas (1500 BC) and is fundamentally developed in the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Yoga and ayurveda are systems of explicit work with prana: yoga to cultivate it through specific postures (asanas) and breathing (pranayama); ayurveda to keep it in balance through diet, lifestyle and medicinal herbs.

The Indian tradition distinguishes five main forms (vayus) of prana: prana vayu (in the chest, governs intake of energy and respiration), apana vayu (in the pelvis, governs eliminations and downward energy), samana vayu (in the abdomen, governs digestion), udana vayu (in the throat, governs upward energy and self-expression), vyana vayu (in the whole body, governs general circulation). Disorders of each vayu produce specific imbalances; the work of yoga is to harmonise them.

Pranayama: working with breath

The pranayama (literally "control of prana" or "extension of prana") is the discipline of conscious breathing in yoga. It is not "respiratory exercises" — it is the technical art of working with the vital energy through the breath. Different techniques have different effects: nadi shodhana (alternating nostril breathing, harmonises both hemispheres), kapalabhati (energetic forced exhalations, cleanses and energises), bhastrika (rapid breathing, generates heat and prana), ujjayi (oceanic breath with throat constriction, calms and concentrates), sitali (cooling inhalation, balances heat).

Prana circulates through the nadis: subtle channels analogous to the meridians of Chinese medicine. It is said that there are 72,000 nadis in the human body. The three principal: sushumna (central, runs along the spine — the channel of kundalini), ida (lunar, on the left, feminine, cooling) and pingala (solar, on the right, masculine, heating). Pranayama balances ida and pingala, opens sushumna for the energy ascent.

Cultivating prana

Habits that increase prana: clean fresh natural food (especially fruits, nuts, sprouts, leafy greens), plenty of water, sun (sunbathing in moderation), contact with nature (forest, mountain, sea), conscious deep breathing, regular pranayama practice, restorative meditation, asana yoga, satsang (spiritual company). Habits that diminish prana: industrially processed food, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, lack of sleep, chronic stress, toxic environments, excess of digital screens, conflictive relationships. Caring for your prana is caring for your life.