Prana is the life force in Hindu tradition, flowing through the body along nadis. It is associated with breath and can be controlled through yoga and Ayurvedic treatment. Prana cannot be measured but has physical effects.
In the Hindu tradition, prana is the life force that pervades all living organisms and the universe. It can be compared to the concept of qi in traditional Chinese medicine. Focusing prana is an important part of Hindu mystical traditions and Hindu religious practice, and pranic energy is also considered in Ayurvedic treatment. This life force flows through the body along a series of channels known as nadis, and ebbs and flows along with overall health.
Prana is a difficult Sanskrit word to translate directly, as it encompasses a variety of ideas and concepts. Essentially, it would be understood as “energy” or “life force,” but these definitions don’t do the word justice. Prana is also associated with breath, although the air itself is not prana; rather, breathing can be used to focus and control prana as part of a spiritual practice.
There are three primary nadis; ida, pingala and sushuma. Various conditions can be diagnosed as problems along the flow of a single nadi and various techniques can be used to clear the flow of energy. In Ayurveda, a traditional form of Indian medicine, patients may be massaged, treated with various herbs, or taught meditation and yoga to focus and clarify their flow of prana. Dietary measures can also be used to correct imbalances, as specific foods do certain things to the body. Ayurveda also includes a long tradition of surgery, as texts and works of art clearly indicate.
In the practice of yoga and other religious traditions in Hinduism, prana is an important feature. A large part of yogic traditions include the focusing and strengthening of prana through physical and spiritual exercises. For example, yogis may use a breathing technique called pranayama to control their prana, in hopes of attaining pranotthana, a sustained bout of powerful, uplifting energy. Various yoga asanas or postures are also designed to promote the flow of prana.
While prana cannot be measured by objective Western means, it appears to exist. Studies of various cultures that believe in a life force such as prana have shown that medical and spiritual practices related to this life force appear to have physical effects. Ayurvedic treatment, for example, can help a patient feel better with the use of massage and meditation. People interested in learning more about Ayurvedic treatment can sometimes find qualified practitioners in their area; a visit can certainly be interesting.
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