Wk 94 – Prana Vayus – 5 Stages of Prana
Practice:This practice weaves dynamic asana with Pranayama Kriya practices, chanting and the use of mantras to connect to the Prana Vayus and direct Prana to a set intention.
You will use forward bends, back bends and twists that activate Prana, building a strong stable body to contain it and then direct it to heal, transform and inspire.
The Tantric text of practice, Gheranda Samhita, states that there are 5 Stages of Prana
1. Activation
2. Churn
3. Consolidate
4. Ignite
5. Direct
Which implies that when we practice we need to make an intention, so that the Prana we cultivate can be directed to something useful. Through Yoga gaining Self-Knowledge and through Tantra we master Prana power we can effectively shape our lives to manifest what we desire. Prana Vayus are platforms for the breath to rest on for Asana, Pranayama and meditation. This gives us something for our mind to follow, learn from and control to lead us to an enriched life experience, contentment within ourselves and freedom from the pain and suffering in our lives.
Asanas are used to improve the quality of the breath. We dynamically move to sense this life force, shape our vital energy and direct it to heal and transform obstructions and to inspire greater insights. The breath is the vehicle for Prana. We open the many road ways – the highways, motorway, country roads, dirt roads and drive ways that are the energetic links that carry sensory info and actions thru-out the systems. Along the way we will find diversions, road works, accidents and dead-ends which are all useful in gaining self-knowledge as self-reflecting our thoughts, emotions, memories and imagery of what comes up. The instances of distraction, or what draws us out of presence is invaluable in understanding what is between you and being free, between you and feeling serene, between you and allowing love in, between you and living with joy, between you and healing.
Where the mind goes Prana follows. Our Power of Attention is key to practicing Yoga. The Power of Intention is equally important. They are both ways to be Present. Yoga Sutras 1.34-1.39 provide the suggested focus points to direct the mind and Prana. First breath awareness, then sensation, then inner illuminosity, then contemplate a stable mind by focusing on mantra or intention finally awakening to moment by moment awareness. Using Yoga and Tantra to weave all experiences in to our practice with the goal of cultivating Prana then directing it to what matters to us most.
