Where Attention Goes, Prana Flows

If you've participated in a yoga class, you've probably heard the word Prana before. In Ayurveda, the sister science of Yoga, Prana is considered the life force energy. Meaning without Prana, there is no vitality, life is not possible. Everything that is alive has Prana. Just like the air element, Prana is always moving. A healthy circulation of Prana in the body allows for clarity of thought and action. When Prana becomes blocked or stagnant, you may experience gas stuck in the intestines, stress or worry in the mind, or blockages in the circulatory system. Prana requires cultivation in order to maintain awareness. Ways we cultivate Prana is through meditation, breathwork, Abhyanga massage, yoga asanas, food and intentional time in nature.

In the context of food, if you are eating fresh, locally grown, organic food, your body will have access to a high amount of Prana. If you are eating processed, leftover, or foods sprayed with pesticides, the prana is compromised or non-existent. Think of harvesting food directly from your garden or from the local farmers market as opposed to food from the store that has been packaged and transported over several days, or perhaps weeks. The longer the food goes from the ground to your plate, the more Prana is lost.

If fresh food is hard to find where you live, try growing your own herbs in the window sill or sprouting mung beans, as mentioned on the previous page. These practices are simple ways to bring more Prana into your environment and into the body to keep you feeling fresh, clear and full of vitality in both you body and mind.

What's one way you can cultivate Prana today? Write it down and consider this mantra, "Where attention goes, Prana flows.”

What do you notice? Where does the attention go?

Seeking more wisdom? Visit the Wellness Library, your digital resource for Ayurvedic & holistic wellness!