(prana) sanskrit

(moving prana): moving life force

Translation= The word “prana” means breath, life, and energy.

Why did Evolution Yoga choose this theme for January 2009?

At all times, in all places, there is movement and change. Down to an atomic level, everything is in flux. Through the study of yoga, a practitioner can begin to observe how life force is moving through his or her own mind, body, and spirit and how prana is moving through the world. Then he or she can begin to control the flow of life.

At the start of each practice, or even right now, at any moment- stop to notice how you feel. Notice your mood, energy level, how prana is moving through your body, mind, notice your emotions. Become aware. When the body is held in the stillness of a yoga posture, energy, mental formation, emotions, physical sensation- all of these prana forms are still in motion. From this awareness, you can begin to control prana in the present moment and by extention, it’s effect on future moments.

Moving prana calls upon the law of karma: the law of cause and effect. Every action has a reaction. As we become aware of our actions and reactions and begin to mindfully navigate our way through sadhana and life, we can begin to observe what prana we are moving forward in our own lives and in the world. In yoga you could move forward a sense of competitivenesses or force or a sense of self acceptance and openness. Both forms of moving prana have very different outcomes. It’s up to us.

The breath acts as a strong stimulous to prana. In Sanskrit, “Prana” is life force, “Yama” is Mastery. When we learn pranayama, to control and lengthen the breath, we lengthen and improve our life. As we experience and transform our prana, serious shifts occur in consciousness and life.

This is an active and often turbulent time on the globe, prana is moving wildly in the environment, political climate, etc. In the present moment, at start of this new year, at the relative turn of the century, how can we be conscious about how we’re moving prana forward and how can we stay balanced through it all?

YOGA! Thank God!

The benefits of MOVING PRANA