What is Prana?

What exactly is prana?

Prana is sanskrit for “vital life force.” You see, we all have this energy inside us and surrounding us that can be felt with a little practice and patience.  Do you ever feel someone's presence near you or beside you without actually touching or seeing that person?  This is their energy force, it permeates from all of us.  Some of us are more receptive to noticing it than others, but it is in all living beings.

Anna Coventry gives a great explanation of how prana or "vital life force" works within us, "Prana rides on the breath, so when we breathe in, we take in prana. When we expand the breath and improve the quality of it, we are expanding and improving the quality of this vital life force within and around us. This is exactly what yoga breathing techniques, or pranayama, are designed to do.
An important aspect of the pranic body are the chakras, or energy centres. In yoga, we focus on the seven major chakras that exist along the line of the spine, each one connected to specific glands and organs of the physical body, as well as areas of our mind that influence our personality.
It is believed by many that health and wellbeing comes when there is a balanced energy flow through each of the seven major chakras.
On the flipside, when prana is prevented from flowing naturally, either becoming blocked or overactive at a certain point, it can create disharmony on both a physical and emotional level."

You can find Anne's full article here: http://www.doyouyoga.com/what-is-prana/.

By understanding our prana and blockages in our energy we can determine ways to unblock and release this energy to return to a balanced state.  Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and reiki are just a few ways to help balance your prana.  Find time to give back to yourself by practicing at home or find a studio or practitioner near you, because 1) you deserve it and 2)you are worth it!!! Trust me!!!

Wishing you peace, love, and prana!

Namaste,

Jesse