What is Prana?

Prana in yoga means breath. It also means life force, the sustaining energy that exists in every living thing. Humans, trees, grass, animals, insects, the sea and the wind. Prana is everywhere. Life force floats under a bird's wings and moves the clouds. Energy passes around and through our bodies, and is the breath that gives us life and purpose. 

The life force that exists within us, is the same energy that exists in every living thing.

Today I spent 20 minutes watching my black lab play with a bumble bee. The fuzzy bee hovered above the dog's nose, tempting her. I waited for the bee's sting and the dog's yelp that never came. The dog bent down and set her chin on the ground, and the bee followed, resting itself on the tops of blades of grass, still tickling the dog's nose. They continued. One would go up and the other followed, then down, and then side to side. They danced. The dog was curious; the bee was trusting. The dog lifted a paw, and attempted to swat; the bee zipped sideways, and then came back. The doge wagged her tail. The bee continued to hover, like a misplaced playmate.

How do a dog and a bee interact? How do they communicate? The bee acts as a bee, and the dog a dog, yet today there was no animosity or fear.

Prana was high during this interaction. Eventually the dog and the bee got bored and went their separate ways. But maybe they each learned something.

If our life force is the same breath that allows trees to bloom and the sun to rise, then we are connected to the earth and everything on it in more ways than we know. And just like the tree flowers and fades with each season, we can trust that our bodies and our circumstances will do the same. Everything is temporary yet necessary. Everything is in our best interest, if we pay attention.

The trick to flowing with life is to keep our Prana full. 

When we get too busy or frantic, we deplete our life force. We all know the feeling of being empty and having nothing left to give. We all know the feeling of worry and impatience. We all notice the tug of heartache and change. These painful emotions lessen when we take care of ourselves, when we soak up the sun like a plant or roll with the wind like a wave.

Keeping our Prana abundant and overflowing means breathing. It also means trusting. It means nourishing our bodies and our souls. It means taking care of our emotional well-being. It means not letting others take advantage. It means filling ourselves up with love, from children, family, pets, friends, or a bubble bath. It means sitting still long enough to notice a 70-pound dog playing gently with a half-inch bumble bee.

Interacting with nature grounds and connects us, and cultivates an awareness and a trust in life force. Our bodies forget that we are humans striving for success and approval, and we remember that we are energetic beings. 

To connect with Prana, with your true essence, lie in the grass and feel the soft blades under your palms. Sit up against a thick tree trunk and soak in the wisdom. Walk barefoot. Wade in the sea. Dance in the wind. Stare at the moon. 

Fill yourself up. Because when you are abundant with life force, anything is possible.