Prāṇa, life force

This month, we move deeper into the layers from which we draw our sense of self. In yoga philosophy, this next layer is prāṇa, which translate to "vital force" in English. We usually relate this layer to the breath, since it is the most accesible way in which we experience this vital force. During this past week, I have made a point to remind you of the breath as we practiced, and I hope you were able to notice the effect that focusing on breathing with more presence can have on you.

Prāṇa, as we experience it through the breath, comes very much as second nature to us.  It is natural that we don't recognize its power and influence. A few years ago, I remember going through an intense panic attack that came on suddenly. I had never experienced something like it, so it was quite a shock when it happened. All of a sudden, I could not breathe the way I was used to. As the seconds went by, I could breathe less and less, to the point that I felt something was leaving my body and that my body was going to collapse at any moment. I was on the street, so I leaned against a wall, calmed myself, and very slowly began to deepen my breath until I was able to continue walking to my destination. 

Looking back at that experience, I recognized the power of the prāṇa not just as the breath, but as that vital force that enlivens the body. The ancient yogis understood this power inherent in the breath and learned to work with it. They discovered that by breathing in specific patterns, one can intentionally create different states of being, and thus a different sense of self. Working with the breath can clear the mind, or energize the body, or calm the nervous system, among many other possibilities. 

This week, I invite you to notice your breath off the mat: its speed, depth and pauses. Then we will begin refining it together in practice.

I look forward to seeing you in class

Breathe easy

Blessings

Jorge Nihāl