Most know of Prana as being a part of a regulatory breathing practice. Prana is a fundamental concept in Hindu and yogic philosophy, referring to the vital life force or energy that sustains all living beings. In yoga and Ayurveda, it is defined as a vital life force; it is considered the source of all manifest energy in the Universe, present in both living beings and inanimate objects.
Prana is often understood to be concerned with the physical body and good health/ well-being. It is a force that flows through energy channels called nadis. Prana, balanced and flowing freely, promotes physical and mental health according to yogic philosophy and practice, corroborated by behavior science’s exploration of the effects of yoga on mental and physical health.
The five main types of Prana are as follows. First is Prana Vayu, which governs the chest and head regions. It assumes responsibility for inhalation, inspiration, propulsion, and the progressive advancement of breath. Apana Vayu, situated in the pelvic region, oversees functions of elimination and outward or downward movement. Samana Vayu, centered around the navel, regulates assimilation, discernment, internal absorption, and consolidation. Udana Vayu, entrenched in the throat region, plays a pivotal role in growth, verbal expression, ascension, and upward motion. Lastly, Vyana Vayu, permeating the body, maintains regulatory control over systemic circulation, expansiveness, and pervasive vitality across all levels.
These five Vayus, or manifestations of Prana, have innate intelligence and carry the individual’s karmic memory. An individual’s karmic memory is intricately intertwined with their Prana, rendering it distinctive to each person. This personalized dimension of Prana is soaked with one’s karmic imprints. Mastering these five Vayus through Pranayama can help achieve psychological balance and prevent most physiological ailments.
Pranayama
Pranayama is the yogic practice of breath control and regulation, considered the fourth “limb” of the eight-limbed path of yoga outlined by Maharishi Patanjali in the famous text – the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali has described Yamas in-depth, though for our understanding, Yama is disciplined practice coupled with the word Prana. Pranayama thus involves techniques to consciously control the inhalation, retention, and exhalation of the breath, aiming to elevate and balance the Prana within the body and mind.
Standard pranayama techniques include Anulom Vilom, Nadi Shodhana – alternate nostril breathing, Kapalabhati – skull-shining breath, and Ujjayi – victorious breath. Pranayama is often practiced after physical yoga postures or asanas and before Dhyana or meditation as part of yoga practices. Practicing Pranayama has been shown to have various physical and mental health benefits, such as reducing stress, improving sleep, and enhancing focus and concentration.
Pranayama activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress hormones and promoting calm. The practices alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Pranayama also improves sleep quality, including for conditions like sleep apnea. Its stress-lowering effects enhance focus and concentration. By regulating Prana, Pranayama is believed to remove emotional blockages, bringing peace. Interestingly, it can decrease cravings during the period of substance withdrawal. The observed effectiveness has important implications for health, consciousness, and spiritual development.
Prana Across Cultures
Often, Prana is likened to various concepts such as “chi” in Chinese philosophy, “ki” in Japanese culture, and “lung” in Mongolian and Tibetan traditions. These terms signify the essential life force energy believed to permeate and animate existence. Lung refers explicitly to the subtle energy that flows through the body and is vital for maintaining health and spiritual well-being.
In many African traditions, the concept of life force is deeply intertwined with spirituality and cosmology. For example, in the Yoruba tradition of West Africa, “ase” represents the divine energy that permeates the Universe and empowers all beings. Similarly, among the Akan people of Ghana, “nyama” refers to the vital force that imbues living organisms with vitality and agency. In traditions such as Vodou and Santería, which originated in Africa and evolved in the Americas, there is the belief in “lifeforce” or “energy” known as “axé” or “aché.”
Concepts akin to Prana, such as life force or vital energy, are deeply ingrained in many indigenous traditions across the region. For instance, in Andean cultures, there is a belief in “kawsay” or “kausay,” which refers to the interconnectedness of all living beings and the flow of energy that sustains life. Similarly, Mesoamerican cultures like the Maya and Aztec civilizations have notions of “ixi’im” or “tonalli,” representing the vital essence that animates existence.
Within Alaskan Native spirituality, there are beliefs in animating forces that imbue life with vitality and purpose. These forces are often conceptualized through terms specific to each cultural group. For example, among the Inuit peoples, “inua” represents the spiritual essence or non-perishable component within all beings, including animals, plants, and natural phenomena. Similarly, among the Yup’ik and Aleut peoples, concepts such as “tuunqun” and “kass’aq” encompass spiritual energy and vitality. Among the Lakota people, there is the concept of “Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka,” which encompasses the sacred and spiritual aspects of life, including the energy that flows through all living beings. Similarly, the Navajo tradition speaks of “nítsíídii,” representing the life force that animates existence and maintains balance in the world.
In Norse mythology, for example, there are references to “önd” or “ǫnd,” which translates to “breath” or “spirit.” This concept encompasses the vital force that animates living beings and connects them to the Divine. Similarly, the belief in the interconnectedness of all living things and the cyclical nature of existence is reflected in Norse cosmology, where the world is seen as a dynamic web of energies and forces. Among Siberian indigenous groups like the Yakuts and Evenks, the concept of “num” or “numin” represents the vital force or spiritual power inherent in nature and all living things.
Various concepts within Indigenous Australian spirituality reflect the idea of vital energy. For example, in some Aboriginal traditions, “ngarinyin” represents the life force or spirit within all living things. In Polynesian traditions, “mana” encompasses spiritual power or life force. In cultures across the Pacific Islands, such as Hawaii and Fiji, beliefs in spiritual energy are often associated with deities or ancestral spirits. This energy is believed to flow through the land, the ocean, and all living beings, connecting them in a web of life.
Death and Prana
Death is best understood as systematic departing of Prana; Sadhguru explains this in depth in his discourses and the book titled Death, An Inside Story. The first Prana to depart is Samana, responsible for regulating body temperature, exiting within 21-24 minutes after clinical death. This departure is followed by the departure of Prana itself, occurring somewhere between 48-64 minutes post-mortem. The upward-moving Udana prana then exits the body 6-12 hours after death, after which the downward-governing Apana prana leaves the physical form within 8-18 hours. Finally, the preservative Vyana prana continues to gradually exit the body over an extended period, potentially lasting 11-14 days in a normal death process. These movements of the five Vayus explain the continued signs of life observed in the deceased body, such as hair and nail growth.
Thus, the importance of cremating the body remains within 1.5-4 hours of clinical death, as the disembodied life force still believes it can re-enter the corporeal form during this window. The rituals and cremation process are crucial in providing closure for the departed and the living. Thus, Prana is more than meets the eye – yoga philosophy provides a nuanced, metaphysical perspective on the energetic mechanisms underlying the transition from life to death.
In conclusion, Prana is a vital concept in Hindu and yogic philosophy, representing the life force animating all living beings. One can balance Prana for physical and mental well-being through practices like Pranayama. Its resonance across diverse cultures, from Africa to the Arctic, allowing us to assess its universal significance. Moreover, Prana’s role extends beyond life, shaping death rituals. In essence, Prana offers profound insights into health, consciousness, and spiritual development across the world.