How to Increase Prana: Tips to Have More Vitality

This is an in-depth article about how to increase your Prana energy.

If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, then this is a must-read for you.

By applying these strategies, you can will more revitalized and expand your longevity.

All it takes are these simple techniques.

Let’s begin.

What is Prana?

Prana can be defined as a person’s vitality.

Prana enters the body, giving it life, at the time of conception, and leaves it when we die.

It is, however, not equal to the breath.

But, as you will see, the quality of our breath determines the quality of our Prana.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Prana is called QI or Chi. Both TMC and Ayurveda see Prana as the “life force” that enlivens every cell, organ, and tissue in the body and that needs to flow smoothly through srotamsi or body channels, to promote health.

That means that our physical body is a manifestation of our Prana energy and that pranic imbalances might be the real reason behind diseases.

The five forms of Prana

Prana has five different forms that govern several processes in the body.

It is always good to have an idea what these forms are:

In other words:

Prana Vayu is the life force behind our intake actions. Think intake of food, water, thoughts, sensations, and breath.
Udana Vayu is the energy that controls our output in life. E.g., how we express our energy in life. Including work!
Samana Vayu is the vitality that controls absorption. Of food and experiences.
Vyana Vayu governs the circulatory system. It comes from the heart, and flows to the rest of the body.
Apana Vayu controls the downward movements like urination and elimination. When we store too much Apana Vayu, we’ll promote decay in the body.

With Ayurveda and the concept of Prana, I finally understood that real medicine goes beyond looking merely at physical symptoms.

To truly have optimal health and feel our best, we must learn to understand life and its different forces.

How to increase Prana

Prana is the force that enlivens every cell, organ, and tissue in our bodies.

The following techniques are simple, yet effective to amplify Prana and enhance the flow of life force.

I suggest you start with just a couple of changes that feel doable, and then add more as you feel more comfortable.

Meditation

Way too often, we are our worst enemy, reacting in a programmed way to situations without even being fully aware of it.

If you feel like your actions are frequently driven by memorized thought patterns rather than undertaken in awareness and conscious attention, then it’s important to set some time for meditation.

As Deepak Chopra put it the other day referring to meditation: “If you say you don’t have time to do it once a day, then you are the one who probably needs it twice a day.” I couldn’t agree more!

Meditation will help you get out of your own way, and at the same time, promote focus and Prana.

It can cultivate in you a sense of mindfulness, bringing you increased clarity, intelligence, creativity, determination, and love. Being present can also raise your energy levels and help you feel lively and vigorous.

If you are new to meditation, try this simple-to-follow guide:

Set a space in your home where you feel at ease. Add some flowers, incense, and candles. Make it your own.
Set a time to meditate every day. It’s more effective before down, as per Ayurveda wisdom.
Sit down and become aware of your breathing.
Don’t try to change anything. Just breath and let go. Don’t try to control your breathing or thoughts.
When you feel ready, move in the direction of your heart. Mindfully and fully present.

Pranayama: focused breathing

It’s also helpful to practice Pranayama to increase Prana.

Breathing slowly, deeply and rhythmically.

My mantra is: control your breath, control your Prana.

By breathing you are also producing neurotransmitters — chemicals that make you feel good — including serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. The truth is, breathing mindfully will connect you to your body and help you ingest pure blissful vitality.

Harvard Medical School also says deep, focused breathing has many other benefits besides giving your life force a boost: “Deep abdominal breathing encourages full oxygen exchange — the beneficial trade of incoming oxygen for outgoing carbon dioxide. Not surprisingly, proper breathing can help slow the heartbeat and lower or stabilize blood pressure.”

This is the western explanation of what Ayurveda has been telling us for millennia. Improving the quality and flow of our “life force” through breath, will help us optimize our health.

This is the process of breathing, from an Ayurvedic perspective:

Prana: Inhalation
Samana: Point between inhalation and exhalation (When you retain your breath)
Vyana: Second part of retention. When you are approaching exhalation.
Udana: First part of exhalation
Apana: Last part of exhalation

So, how to do Pranayama?

Pranayama is also called alternate nostril breathing.

It has a powerful effect on the mind and helps boost Prana.

It also calms the emotions and nervous system, and nourishes the organs and tissues with Prana energy.

Reduce sensory stimulation to increase Prana

When our impressions from the world come from nature, they are wholesome and cultivate Prana of good quality.

However, when most of our perceptions come from CNN, Facebook, Instagram, or Netflix it can be truly disturbing for the life force.

Therefore, start with setting a time limit for watching TV, being in front of the computer, or on your phone.

These are other activities that are phenomenal for boosting Prana because they help you be present.

Walking barefoot on the grass or the sand
Bird watching
Moon bath
Sun bath
Biking in a nature reserve
Swimming in the ocean

What do these activities have in common?

Negative ions!

Negative ions are molecules you can find in nature. They are said to raise your Prana energy, reduce depression, and decrease stress.

If you are like me, you already love going to the beach, riding your bike in a nature trail, and breathing fresh air. But knowing the extra amazing positive effects of being in nature can make us go more often.

Cultivate the feeling of LOVE

One of the most accessible ways we have to increase Prana is within our heart.

Love is the highest and most nourishing form of life force.

So, we need to cultivate the feeling of love by accepting those we love just as they are. This strategy obviously includes US.

Accepting ourselves genuinely will strengthen our sense of self-love.

It’s also important to reflect on how to heal difficult relationships or if it’s time to walk away.

Eat sattvic food

The food we eat and digest is a big one to raise Prana energy.

Junk, canned, frozen, and processed foods are Tamasic and lead to the depletion of energy.

Instead, eat healthy, vegetarian, organic, and wholesome foods or follow a Sattvic diet.

Home-made meals

Cook at home.

At least most of your meals.

This strategy boosts Prana because when you cook with care and love, you are transmitting that same energy to the food, which translates into more high-quality Prana.

You can also learn how to enjoy your food five times.

These techniques will support your intention of expanding Prana and help you feel more revitalized, rejuvenated, and happy 🙂

Remember, it’s not about changing your life in 1 minute.

Do just a few changes and stay consistent.