Prana: in simple words

For modern individuals, questions about the presence of life energy and resource states have become particularly relevant. Life in big cities and its high pace, nutrition lacking in beneficial elements, and convenience foods, polluted air, and lack of physical activity — all of this leads to a decline in strength and a feeling of emptiness, a lack of enthusiasm and inspiration. In yoga and Ayurveda, there is a concept known as «prana» — the life force that fills everything around, including humans. In this article, we will explain in simple terms the energy of «prana,» its varieties, what it contains, its significance, how to feel it, and how to increase it.

In the system of yoga and Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, the term "prana" refers to the life energy that is invisible to the eye but permeates the entire universe. Prana exists in all forms of life — both lower and higher. In the body of a human or another living being, this energy appears from the moment of conception and accompanies it throughout its life until the last breath. Prana exists in both static and dynamic states; it is constantly expended but also replenished in various ways.

Here is how this energy is described by David Frawley in his book "Ayurveda and the Mind: Ayurvedic Psychotherapy":

Prana, the primary life force, is the subtle energy of air, the original force behind all mental and physiological functions. It is responsible for the coordination of breathing, sensory perception, and the mind. At an internal level, it governs the development of higher states of consciousness.

Like blood flow or electricity running through wires, prana permeates everything around and breathes life into it. The source of life energy is the Supreme Being or Atman. Similarly to prana, in China there is the teaching of qi energy, which has two poles — yin, the female aspect, and yang, the male.

A human being represents a multi-layered system of shells, one of which is the manifested physical, and several subtle or energetic structures. All of them are interconnected, and diseases of the dense body can arise due to disharmony on the subtle level, including from a lack of prana or problems with its circulation. With a sufficient amount of life energy, a person feels vigorous, healthy, and happy. Prana ensures the mobility of the mind and stimulates a person to respond to life's adversities, supports emotional balance, endows the ability for creativity and creation, and is responsible for enthusiasm. Life force circulates through subtle channels (nadis) and especially concentrates at their intersections — chakras, or energy centers. Before a person stand two main tasks: to replenish/increase the energy of prana and to support its harmonious flow in the body.

Types of prana

In Ayurveda, prana is associated with the vatadosha, which represents the combination of two primary elements — ether (akasha) and air, wind (vayu). In the human body, five vayus are distinguished — five types of wind. Let us consider their characteristics and locations.

1. Prana-vayu is located in the area of the heart and chest. It gives life force to a person, supports the functioning of the intellect, heart, sensory organs, and consciousness, and is responsible for breathing, swallowing, spitting, sneezing, and belching. Prana-vayu means ‘the first manifestation of cosmic intelligence.’
2. Udana-vayu is located in the area of the throat and head. It is responsible for speech, singing, complexion, memory, and strength. Udana-vayu means ‘moving upwards.’
3. Samana-vayu is located in the area of the navel. It is responsible for digestion. Samana-vayu means ‘moving evenly everywhere.’
4. Apana-vayu is located in the area from the navel to the hips. It is responsible for the elimination of feces, gases, urine, semen, and menstrual blood, regulates intestinal peristalsis, and is involved in the process of childbirth. Apana-vayu means ‘moving downwards.’
5. Vyana-vayu is located in the heart (the main place) and throughout the body. It is responsible for blood circulation and the circulation of substances throughout the body, general movements of the body, stretching, bending, and blinking. Vyana-vayu means ‘moving diffusely, in various directions.’

Prana is formed in two ways: on a physical level—from nutrients entering the body in the form of food, heat, and air; on a subtle level—from impressions received through the senses. At the level of the dense body, life energy is transported by blood and plasma.

Foods rich in prana:

• fresh fruits and berries;
• whole grains and their sprouts;
• legumes and nuts;
• fresh vegetables growing above the ground;
• dairy products, especially ghee;
• honey;
• herbal tea or spice-based tea.

Dried, frozen, and canned foods retain significantly less energy.

Breathing plays a special role in the intake and increase of prana levels in the human body. This knowledge can be applied both on a household level and in the realm of energy practices. Fresh air is beneficial for health; if possible, living in an ecologically clean place will help increase the regular intake of life energy. Ventilating rooms, wet cleaning in the home and office will also contribute to this. Proper deep abdominal breathing in everyday life and the practice of pranayama (breathing exercises) increase the reserve of prana and ensure its movement in the body. Sunlight also endows a person with vital energy. Physical activity, yoga asanas, walks in the fresh air, timely sleep, and rest — all these actions contribute to the increase of prana in the body, which helps improve overall physical and mental well-being. Emotions and impressions should not be excessive; it is important to control and dose them.

It is essential to remember that it is not so much the increase in the level of prana that has a positive effect, but the purity of the channels and the harmonious movement of energy in the body. To achieve this state, it is necessary to regularly cleanse the body both on a physical and an energetic level.

Energy practices, Hatha yoga asanas, pranayama, meditation, reading, and listening to mantras help to fill the body with prana, allow it to circulate freely, and also provide the opportunity to feel it.

Even without deep knowledge of the life energy in the human body, positive habits lead to health, vitality, and a positive outlook on life; while constant self-education and experience in this field lead to a conscious control of processes in the body and subtle structures, resulting in greater and more sustainable outcomes. Proper nutrition and lifestyle, control of sensory pleasures, and self-development practices ensure at least an active and happy longevity.