4th Limb Pranayama - The movement/circulation of the Life Force

Inhabiting and surrounding each cell of our physical body is the universal energy called PRANA. This energy is named QI in Japan and CHI in China.

Everything in the natural world has a field of energy surrounding and circulating through it. At different times the quality and quantity of Prana can vary.

As we inhale we draw the Prana to the centre of our being, and with the exhalation it journeys outward. A slight natural pause between the inhale and the exhale allows oxygen as well as the Prana to circulate throughout our beings.

Pranayama is the practice of consciously controlling the breath i.e. the inhale, the exhale and retention of the breath to channel our inherent life force leading us into the stillness necessary for meditation.

Asana steadies the body; Pranayama aligns the mental and emotional patterns. We will then guide the senses through Pratyahara, allowing us to focus and dive deep within.

Pranayama Practices will be explained in a later Blog but as we are dealing with Asha-tanga (The 8 Limbs of Yoga) we will leave it there for today.

Om Shanti:)