Pranayama Practice: Prana Breath
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Pranayama
In Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga, the 4th limb is dedicated to pranayama. Prana is that pervades the whole universe and all living things. Prana means “ vital life force” and ayama means “expansion”. Therefore, pranayama means “expansion of the vital life force”. As we practice pranayama, we are expanding our breath and the capacity of the lungs.
There are many forms of pranayama in Ayurveda. Some increase lunar energy like Adham Pranayama or Shitali Pranayama. While others increase solar energy like Kapalabhati Pranayama or Bhastrika Pranayama. Finally there are pranayama practices that balance both the lunar and solar energies like Nadi Shodana Pranayama, Bhramari Pranayama, or Ujjayi Pranayama.
In Ayurveda, there are five pranas or vayus or subdoshas of vata. Vayu is another word for prana and is associated with the element of air. Vata dosha’s main element is air with its secondary being space/ether. These five vayus or pranas, control all the movement in our body. This includes the movement of digestion, respiration, circulation, speech and communication, etc. The five vayus or five pranas are:
Prana: forward moving air, propulsive in nature, setting things in motion and guiding them, vital energy of the head and third eye, governs reception of all types like eating, drinking, breathing, sensory impulses, mental experiences
Apana: downward moving air, vital energy of lower abdomen, governs elimination and reproduction and is the basis of our immune function
Udana: upward moving air, vital energy in the throat, governs speech, self-expression, growth of body, ability to stand, effort, enthusiasm and will
Samana: balancing air, moves from the periphery to the center through a churning, vital energy in the navel, governs digestion
Vyana: outward moving air, moves from the center to the periphery, vital energy in the heart and lungs, governs circulation
Each one of the five pranas has a corresponding pranayama practice to help bring balance into the powers of the air element. We’ve previously discussed Apana Pranayama, Udana Pranayama, Samana Pranayama, and Vyana Pranayama. However, in this post we will discuss Prana Pranayama or the energizing breath.
Prana Pranayama (Energizing Breath)
Prana Pranayama is also known as “energizing breath.” To practice this breathing technique follow these steps or listen to our audio recording of how to practice Prana Pranayama:
Sit on a chair with your spine straight and your feet firmly planted on the earth, or in a comfortable sitting pose like siddhasana (easy crossed legs pose) or virasana (hero pose).
You practice prana pranayama by inhaling through your nose and feeling your breath gathering at the third-eye, or the space between your eyebrows. The third-eye is the location of the 6th chakra, the ajna chakra. This is the seat of our manas or mind.
Retain the breath for a moment at the top of the inhalation. (contraindications: retentions shouldn’t be practiced by people with heart conditions, especially high blood pressure, as well as children and pregnant women).
As you exhale through the nose, feel the energy and breath expand out from the third-eye, energizing the mind, body and senses.
Repeat the cycle again for a total of 10-20 rounds.
Prana breathing is used in Ayurveda to increase the energy of the head, mind, brain, and nervous system. Traditionally it has been used for headaches, brain fog, nervous exhaustion and sinus allergies.
Music by Fried Coffee.
“Mind and prana always go together. Wherever we place our attention, there our energy naturally follows. Our attention itself directs a current of energy. Similarly, whatever motivates our energy and vitality, like hunger or thirst, engages our attention. Mind and prana are two sides of the same phenomenon, the two wings of the bird of the soul.”