pranas

Prana is a Sanskrit term commonly translated as breath or life force. The word is used across Hindu philosophy, yoga, and Ayurveda to denote the vital energy that animates living beings and the cosmos.

Linguistically, prana comes from a root associated with breathing and life; in many texts it denotes both the breath that sustains life and the unseen energy that moves through the body.

In classical Indian thought, prana is believed to permeate the body through a network of subtle channels called nadis and to be organized into five principal life energies or pranas: prana (the inward-moving breath at the chest), apana (downward elimination), samana (distributing and transforming energy, especially in digestion), udana (rising energy, governing the throat, speech, and head), and vyana (circulating energy that permeates the limbs and senses). Some traditions also discuss minor pranas or additional functions.

In yoga, pranayama refers to disciplined breathing techniques designed to influence prana, stabilize the nervous system, and extend vitality. Techniques include slow inhalation, breath retention, exhalation, and alternate-nostril breathing; different schools emphasize different goals, from calming the mind to awakening higher states of awareness.

In Ayurveda, prana is seen as one of the body's vital forces and is closely tied to health, digestion, and resilience. Ill-balanced prana is thought to underlie disease, while balanced prana supports recovery and well-being. Treatments often integrate breathing practices with diet, daily routines, herbs, and lifestyle adjustments.

In modern usage, prana is widely used in yoga and wellness contexts to denote life energy, breath, or vitality, with varying interpretations across traditions. See also pranayama, nadis, prana vayu.