What is Prana in Yoga - Types, Symptoms, Benefits & Balance

Have you ever gone to a yoga class and felt so alive that you weren't just stretched, you felt energized from the inside out. That's called Prana in yoga.

Prana is one of those ideas that seems to have been around for thousands of years and is highly detailed but as soon as you understand it, it suddenly makes perfect sense. The more you learn about prana, the more you will notice it, in your breath, in your state of mind, in your digestion and in your sleep.

What is Prana in Yoga?

The word Prana, which comes from ancient Sanskrit, means "life force" or "vital energy". It is essential to our physical existence. The Prana flows through the body with every breath, movement of the heart, and thought.

The ancient yogic philosophy considered Prana as a connection between the body and the mind. The Prana has a pathway through the body known as nadis (energy channels). In times when Prana flows freely through the body, one will experience greater physical health, mental clarity, and emotional stability. When Prana becomes blocked or gets disturbed in the body, you may feel fatigue, excessive anxiety, or other forms of illness.

In reality, there are approximately 49 forms of Prana identified by the ancient Vedic tradition to exist in the body; however, the Yoga science focuses on 5 primary pranas (the Pancha Pranas) as a practical application for this energy.

The 5 Types of Prana (Pancha Pranas)

1. Prana Vayu - The Prana Vayu has a location in your heart and chest. It governs completing the Breath Cycle by inhaling the energy into your lungs and body through the air, food and senses. When the Prana Vayu is flowing freely, you have lots of enthusiasm, passion, and an open heart. 

2. Apana Vayu - The Apana Vayu is located within your lower abdominal/pelvis area. It governs all types of elimination and is your body's natural way of getting rid of waste, toxins, and negative emotions/habits. 

3. Samana Vayu - The Samana Vayu is located around your abdomen/stomach area and governs all forms of digestion, both food and emotional. When the Samana Vayu is flowing freely, your digestion is strong and your emotional stability is solid. 

4. Udana Vayu - The Udana Vayu is located within your throat and head. It governs your ability to speak/express yourself, communicates with others, and gives you upward energy. When the Udana Vayu is balanced, you are communicating clearly and have mental clarity. 

5. Vyana Vayu - The Vyana Vayu is distributed throughout your entire body. It coordinates all movements, both physically and energetically. The Vyana Vayu is like the overall circulation manager of your body.

The five Vayus represent the different areas within yourself, and when they are all in balance, they create a harmonious environment in which everything is functioning well.

How Do You Know If Your Prana is Imbalanced?

Many people do not understand the impact that blocks may have on how they feel. If you have felt off but are unsure why, here are some symptoms:

• Being tired after a good night’s sleep.
• Feeling uneasy, restless or scattered.
• Having issues with digestion, including bloating.
• Feeling like you are emotionally burdened or unable to move on.
• Frequent illness or low immunity.
• Having difficulty making decisions or concentrating.
• Feeling disconnected from yourself.

Can you relate to these? They are not all separate issues; according to yoga philosophy, they all point to disturbances in the flow of Prana. 

What Are the Benefits of Balanced Prana?

When Prana flows unobstructed and balanced, it enhances your entire life:

• You have higher energy levels because you wake up rested and sustain energy all day long.
• You gain better mental clarity, You find yourself easily making decisions and your thoughts are clear.
• Your emotions are balanced; you do not feel overwhelmed by every mood or stressed situation.
• You become more aware and able to heal yourself through a stronger immunity as a result of balanced Prana.
• You will feel calm and at peace, and your body will settle down to restfully recover during the night.
• You experience the greatest benefit from balanced Prana through peace from within.

Studies performed in the field of integrative medicine increasingly demonstrate the long-held belief of yogis, that breathing techniques (regulating your breath) and conscious movement will positively influence the body’s nervous system, help lower stress hormones, and improve overall wellness. 

How Can You Balance Your Prana Naturally?

The good thing is that you don't have to do anything extravagant. All of these practices are simple and natural; they're also very easy to access and implement in your life:

• Breath Control (Pranayama) - The easiest and most direct way to use Prana is through breath control. Pranayama means "expanding your life force," and there are many breathing techniques that regulate Prana in the body. The most prevalent forms of breath control are Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Kapalabhati and Bhramari.
• Yoga Postures (Asanas) - Yoga postures help to open up channels of energy within the body. Different Yogi postures activate different Vayus. An example of this is an asana called a Forward Fold, which can calm Apana Vayu, while a Backbend will stimulate Prana Vayu.
• Sattvic Foods - Foods that are fresh, light and natural give you more energy. On the other hand, foods that are processed, too heavy or too old will take energy away from you. This is probably why yogis emphasize food as one of the most important aspects of health.
• Nature - Sun, air, water and quiet places have a lot of Prana associated with them and can have a profound effect on our energy. For example: walking next to a river in the morning can provide a noticeable energy boost.
• Meditation - When we meditate and quiet our minds, the energy of Prana settles and balances by itself.
• Sleep and Resting - While we sleep, we replenish our Prana. If we continuously deprive ourselves of the second most important necessity (sleep), we are going to continuously lose Prana.

Can Blocked Prana Cause Health Issues?

Yes - This is a good example of how ancient philosophy & contemporary science can come together. Blocked prana for an extended time creates physical &/or emotional problems in the body. Chronic stress/inability to release grief, re-occurring lower back pain or digestive dysfunction can be indicators of blocked energy channels.

It does not mean you shouldn't visit your physician; Instead, taking a holistic theory will support healing through yoga, breathwork & other mindful practices that are non-physical in nature compared to physical modalities which have missed some part of the puzzle.

How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects?

Some individuals will feel a shift after doing pranayama one time. Although this will create visible changes (i.e., mood, heart rate, mental clarity, etc.) almost immediately.

The type of changes that are considered durable for a long period (i.e., increased energy levels, quality of sleep, etc.) require on-going dedication (continuous practice) for several weeks (most students participating in a prana-based class state they saw relief before 3-6 weeks). 

Learning Prana at Its Source - Rishikesh

No wonder people come from all over the world for the experience of studying yoga in Rishikesh. Located in the Himalayan foothills on the banks of the Ganga, the city has an unbroken heritage of yoga dating back thousands of years. If you are familiar with Prana, you will know what I mean when I say that the very presence of the place is a subtle experience.

Here at yoga ashram in Rishikesh, the traditional Rishikesh Yoga Ashram in Laxman Jhula, Prana is not only cultivated in the classroom. It is cultivated every day-during the morning prana exercises, down by the river; during the philosophy classes, grounded in the ancient Vedas; through the quiet meditation of the ashram life.

If you are new to yoga and the journey, the 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, at Gurukul Yogashala explores Prana, Pranayama, anatomy and yogic philosophy in great detail - allowing student to not only understand the concept of life force energy, but to be able to actively work with it. For the more experienced, who are prepared to dig even deeper, the 300 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh may be the most comprehensive undertaking of the Ayurvedic centre principles,pranic practices (including Iyengar alignment) and intensive Ayurvedic therapeutics offered anywhere.

If you've ever wondered about the real powers that keeps your yoga practice alive (the energy source of your practice, not the practices themselves) Rishikesh Yoga Ashram's Yoga Teacher Training course in Rishikesh could just be your one-stop destination..

Final Thoughts

Many people think of prana as a mysterious concept meant only for the more advanced yogi's, but the truth is, prana is way more than that! Prana is simply the most natural thing on earth; it is the energy in you that wakes you up in the morning, it makes you feel alive after eating a delicious meal or while walking outdoors in the fresh air, and it leaves you feeling depleted when you have endured too much stress for too long.

Through yoga, you learn how to work with this energy in a conscious way. As you deepen your levels of understanding of yoga, you will notice that by managing your prana, you are also managing your life.

To begin with, the most important things you can do are to breathe consciously, move with awareness, and rest without feeling guilty! If you feel ready to go deeper, then get yourself to Rishikesh.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Prana in Yoga? 

Prana in Yoga refers to one’s life force, energy, or vitality - it is what brings you to life and animates both your body and mind; it travels along certain channels known as nadis or through the body. On the whole, the cultivation and balance of our Prana will be central to achieving overall well-being and attaining our spiritual potential as we grow and develop through Yoga. 

2. Is Prana the same as breath? 

Prana is not the same as breath, although breath is a primary means of accessing Prana. Where the essence of Prana is energy in its purest form, breath is the most basic way we can begin to interact with our own Prana. The practice of Pranayama or working with your breath is very powerful due to this fact. 

3. What are the main types of Prana? 

The five types of Prana Vayu are represented as follows: the first is Prana Vayu (inhalation); then Apana Vayu (elimination); Samana Vayu (digestion); Udana Vayu (speech/expression); and Vyana Vayu (the circulatory system and all movement). 

4. How do I know if my Prana is imbalanced? 

Here are some common signs that you may have an imbalance of Prana: fatigue, anxiety, poor digestion, heaviness in emotions, low immunity, challenges with attention and focus, and feeling disconnected from yourself. 

5. What are the benefits of balanced Prana? 

Balanced prana results in an abundance of steady physical stamina, improved mental concentration, emotional balance, enhanced immune system function, restful sleep and an overall sense of inner peace and well-being. 

6. How can I balance my Prana naturally? 

Practicing pranayama regularly, yoga asanas consistently, being on a fresh and healthy diet, spending time outdoors, meditating daily and getting sufficient sleep are all effective and natural methods for restoring and maintaining balance in your prana. 

7. What is Pranayama and how does it affect Prana? 

Pranayama translates directly to "expansion of the life force," and refers to multiple methods of controlled breathing to regulate, direct and accelerate the flow of prana within the body. Even practicing pranayama a couple of minutes each day can greatly influence your energy level and mental clarity. 

8. Can blocked Prana cause health issues? 

Yes. Prolonged blockages of pranic flow can lead to physical ailments, including but not limited to chronic tiredness, digestive disorders, weakened immune systems, and emotional ailments like anxiety or depression. Using yoga, breathing techniques and living a sattvic lifestyle will help to remove blockages over time.

9. How long does it take to feel the effects of Prana practices? 

Some short-term effects such as calming your mind or establishing a steadier state of mood can occur immediately after completing one session with Prana...

However, deep, long-lasting shifts regarding energy, immunity, and overall well being will take more time (generally 3-6 weeks) of repeated use before those changes become apparent.