Prana and its Influence

There are five pranas or vital currents in the yoga system.

Prāṇa is classified into subcategories. According to yoga philosophy these are the vital principles of basic energy and subtle faculties of an individual that sustain physiological processes.

Udana Prana is directing the vital current upward.

A more subtle aspect of this type of prana is that it represents the conscious energy required to produce sound, the intention behind the words or noise. Udana gives the higher centers total control over the body.

Prana is responsible for the beating of the heart and breathing. Prana enters the body through the breath and is sent to every cell through the circulatory system.

Samana Prana is located in the stomach and intestines, regulating digestion. It is responsible for inward movements of Prana such as digestion of food and cellular catabolism (break down and recycling of old cells) and thermo-regulation. A visible source of the Samana current is the Aura. By meditating on Samana yogis can produce a lively aura. Samana is responsible for the digestion of food and cell metabolism (i.e. the repair and manufacture of new cells and growth). Samana also includes the heat regulating processes of the body. Auras are projections of this current. By meditational practices one can see auras of light around every being. Yogis who do special practice on samana can produce a blazing aura at will.

Apana Prana is located blow the naval, regulating the elimination of waste products from the body via the excretory systems, and the lungs.

Vyana Prana is all encompassing, it regulates vital forces. It is responsible for the outward movements of Prana, extending to the muscles and the pumping action of the blood vessels in the arteries. It governs circulation.

When one or more of these pranas is disturbed, mental and physical discomfort may manifest. Contributing factors to impeded flow of prana can be, stress, wrong diet, inadequate sleep, emotional conflicts, environmental changes, injury to the body unhealthy home environment and many more.

The distribution of prana

In yoga, the concept of prana is very scientific. When we speak of prana, we do not mean the breath, air or oxygen, but life force.  This prana is in constant motion and commences in the human being as soon as one is conceived in the mother’s womb. Prana is responsible for the body’s life.

Nadis, chakras and the distribution of prana:

According to tantra yoga and the kundalini, prana originates in pingala nadi. Within the framework of the spinal cord, there are three channels known as nadis in yoga. One is called ida, another is pingala and the third is sushumna. Ida nadi controls the mental processes of the two hemispheres of the brain; pingala represents prana and controls vital processes. The sushumna represents spirit or spiritual awareness. These three nadis originate in muladhara chakra, which is situated at the base of the spine. Pingala nadi flows to the right from muladhara and continues to cross Ida at each chakra all the way up to ajna. Similarly, Ida nadi also crosses at each chakra but in the reverse order.

The Pingala nadi is the distributing channel for prana in the body, and from each chakra the pranas are disseminated to every organ.

Prana is not merely a philosophical concept; it is in every sense a physical substance. Just as radioactive or electromagnetic waves exist even though we can’t see them.

When our prana diminishes, sickness sets in, and when we have plenty of prana, every part of the body is in perfect health. If we have an excess of prana, it can be transmitted to others for healing.

The inner prana can be stimulated and increased by pranayama. Balancing the left and right brain through alternate nostril breathing and therefore increasing prana, is beneficial for the practice of meditation.

Deep breathing alone is not enough to stimulate prana. By breathing deeply, we stimulate the respiratory system, but not the brain. However, when we practice pranayama with concentration, the brainwaves undergo a significant change.

The brain can be split into two parts- the frontal brain and the posterior brain. The posterior brain is the instinctive brain. The frontal brain is the seat of total consciousness. When we breathe without awareness, the breath is registered in the posterior brain, but when we are aware that we are breathing and we are consciously witnessing the whole process, then it is registered by the conscious brain, the frontal brain.

When we practice pranayama, the pranas are stimulated in the lower region of the spine and are brought to the higher brain centre through the process of sushumna breathing.

Let us be aware, that we can enliven the body through conscious breathing.