As humans, we have always been overly obsessed with the senses or the physical organs of our body.
It does make sense because it is easy to understand what you can see and feel.
For example, our eyes guide us towards a vision, our skin lets us touch, our ears hear anything that is audible and our brain works everything out.
But did you know, underneath all of these physical organs that keep us going throughout the day, there is something more central, something more vital, something unseen that governs our mind, body, and soul?
This is an energy that flows not only within us but also outside us, universally, and gives rise to an essential life-force, called “Prana“.
You may have heard this term if you have been to a yoga studio or seen yoga videos, but may not have been able to understand it fully.
At the outset, it is difficult to understand Prana, primarily because it cannot be seen.
But do not worry. I’m going to explain all of this through this post
We will talk about Prana and Pranic Energy, including the types of Prana, the Koshas, and most importantly, how to benefit from this life-giving energy that surrounds us all the time.
Keep reading to know more.
What Is Prana?
Prana is a Sanskrit word, prana meaning breath, life-force, or vital principle, all of them derived from universal energy that flows through every living or non-living thing.
It is the power that manifests itself through atoms and molecules and then enables everything to carry out the processes of creating and sustaining life.
Although Prana is found in Hindu philosophy, similar concepts are seen in China, Japan, Australia, Greek, and so on and go by the names Chi, Qui, Ki, Mana, and Pneuma.
What Is Pranic Energy?
The vital breath that we inhale from our life-giving surroundings gives rise to the primary energy that flows through our bodies.
It is this energy that creates life and aligns our mind, body, and soul.
In an ideal person, this energy is balanced and flows through the various nadis, which are virtual pathways within our beings, to keep us healthy and calm.
We are all born with this energy and it is up to us and our surroundings to keep this life-force flowing with ease.
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What Are 5 Types of Prana?
I hope that now you have got a primary understanding of what Prana is.
But wait before you get ready to venture into Prana Energy Healing. There is still a lot more to understand about this vital energy.
Pranic energy is further categorized into five types, mainly based on the direction in which the energy flows.
And as we are talking about directions, we need to refer to a specific kind of energy here, which is, wind. Wind, in Sanskrit, is called “Vayu” and thus, the different types of Pranas are also called the five Vayus.
Let us delve into each of these a bit more.
Prana Vayu
It is the main Vayu that governs all things that we take in, for example, the air that we breathe, the food that we eat, the water that we drink, the touch that we perceive, and so on.
Its direction is forward, which means it gets everything moving forward or sets them in motion.
Apana Vayu
Apana Vayu flows in the opposite direction of the Prana Vayu, and so, its job is to expel things from the body and the mind.
Think of everything you throw out of your body, including bodily fluid, excreta, reproductive fluid, and the air that you breathe out.
Apana Vayu cleanses your mind as well by expelling negative emotions.
Udana Vayu
It is the Vayu that helps us grow by moving upward. Think about how a child grows tall, or how a baby learns to stand up.
These are governed by the Udana Vayu. It is not just about physical growth, either. It also helps our minds to evolve and our characters to form.
Samana Vayu
Samana Vayu is the energy that keeps us balanced by moving outward to inward. It helps in absorption at different spheres of our body and mind.
In the gut, it helps in the digestion of food while in the lungs, it aids in the purification of the air that we breathe in. In our minds, it helps in processing our emotions and harnessing the good experiences, creating memories.
Vyana Vayu
Vyana Vayu is all about circulation. Hence, it moves from the central part of the body towards its outer sheath.
It takes everything the Samana Vayu has helped absorb and circulates them to feed the body and the soul.
For example, the nutrition absorbed after the digestion of food is carried to different cells by Vyana Vayu.
Similarly, the positive emotions retained by the mind are circulated within the soul to maintain its calmness.
The Koshas
Okay, now it’s time to learn a new term.
So, what exactly are Koshas?
The word “Kosha” means sheath. If you noticed in the earlier section, I did mention “Sheaths” once.
While sheath means an encasement or cover, Koshas are not exactly physically sheaths.
Well, except for the first Kosha. The others are more to do with the various ways our bodies and…
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