Prana or Life energy Prana is the life force which keeps the body alive. In India it is Pranan or pran, in greek it is pneuma, in Hebrew it is ruah, in Polynesian mana, in china it is chi. This force is all around and in fact we are living the ocean of pranic energy. It is the nature of body to absorb this energy from the surroundings. In basic there are three types of prana the air prana, solar energy or solar prana, earth prana. The physical act of breathing intends to absorb air prana. Some believe that oxygen means prana this is wrong, breathing is done with the force of prana, through pranayama this capacity can be increased to higher levels. Chakras in the body also absorb air prana. Next is solar prana, sun bathing up to 5 to 10 min is the best way to obtain this prana, drinking water exposed to sunlight also helpful, too much solar prana may harm body because this is very potent. Ground prana is the energy contained in the ground. This is absorbed through the chakra located at the feet.A skillful person learned prana healing or techniques of yoga can increase these capacities to absorb prana and increase the energy level of body and can heal others with this excess prana by giving this prana to them. In normal people this absorption and giving is done without intention. But in skilled people this is with intention, thus more powerful. It is observed that prana is at a high level at daytime than night. Prana energy level reaches very low at 3 to 4 in the morning. It is normally observed that some persons getting illness during bad weather conditions, this is not because of the climate but the low prana in the surroundings. The healing using this energy is known as prana healing, faith healing, magic healing, charismatic healing, psychic healing etc.
In india the principle behind blessing is based on this. Hindu gods appear in blessing postures (abhaya mudra) which is intend to give prana to their devotees. Blessing with hands placed on head intend to give prana through forehead chakra, ajna or sahasrara chakra. Some places have more energy than others. Energy level of places varies. Places where great yogis and saints live possess a very high energy level which is divine. Different temples have different energy levels according to the deity.
It is with the force of prana, we breaths, we walk, work, and do everything, even thinking. Breath is the gross manifestation of subtle prana, by controlling the breath one can control the mind because mind works by the vibration of prana. In yoga Prana in human body is divided into 5. Prana, Apana, udana, samana, vyana. Each is intended to do particular functions in the body. Eg Prana- vital force which constantly flows from heart. Apana- responsible for downward movements, active at anus and genital regions. Hara produses semen, throws out waste through urine and stool. Samana- fire like vibrations of solidification, active at distributor of juices to body. Vyana- Vibrations of spaciousness. It travels in eyes, ears and in private parts. Udana- responsible for upward movement, active in throat region, takes energy to subtle body to harmonize all functions.
It is said that the Atma (Soul), which is known by budhi (intellect), swims in the fire, PRANA (prana, apana, udana, samana, vyana). These five pranas should be purified to attain salvation. Different cultures have their own meaning to Prana, but everyone believes that there is a life force which stands as the base of everything. In china it is chi, comes from tiny airborne particle, that in circulate the universe and enter the womb at conception. They say the life force energy carried by currents of fing (wind) and shui(water) and sun. Rain brings chi to earth from cosmos. Breathing exercise in Chinese known as TAISI(embryonic respiration), it resembles Indian yoga. The Muslim mystics also practice breathe control known as Dhikr, resembles the Hindu breathing technique. In Christianity also breathing systems are used for spiritual development.