PRANA VIDYA – 1st Class – Awareness of Pranamayakosha

I put this Prana Vidya workshop together and taught it at the Yogi Tree last month.  I had 13 people come which is a great turn out for the Yogi Tree.  My class was a mixture of the pranayamas I learned in Calcutta and Satyananda practices. People told me they loved the Calcutta Pranayamas and found them extremely meditative.

I have been working with the Calcutta Breathing exercises since I learned them in February and I love them.  They are calming, revitalizing and rejuvenating.  The have been integrated into my yoga practice.  I am so happy to know them.

The other practices I have used for many years.  Prana Nidra is new to me.

Here is the description for the class:

Prana vidya is a progressive and systematic set of breathing exercises by which we acquire knowledge of the aspect of consciousness known as prana, the life force that permeates the entire body. The focus of prana vidya is to awaken and manipulate the breath consciously. As the practitioner develops subtle awareness of the breath s/he is able to perceive and gain knowledge of the nature of the prana, which in turn leads to new dimensions of awareness, understanding and total heath. 

Prana vidya focuses both the expansion of consciousness and the awakening of prana. This is a transformative practice done both seated and lying down. Prana vidya is an important step in the journey toward self-realization and wholeness. Live gong will be played during many of meditations. Please wear comfortable clothing

This is what I handed out

“Prana is also the energy that circulates through the body and regulates all bodily functions. Since prana is the fundamental life force that animates and sustains our physical being, there is a direct relationship between the free flow of prana in the body and physical health. Where there is a blockage in the flow of energy, there are also possible blockages in the physical systems that are sustained by that energy. If energy is blocked in the throat, for example, it is likely that the reduced flow of circulation and nutrients to this area could result in any number of related conditions, such as improper functioning of the thyroid.

Prana is distributed throughout the body through a series of channels, called nadis, of which there are said to be 72,000. There is a main channel within the spine, called sushumna, and two secondary channels on either side, called ida and pingala. The seven energy centers, or chakras, could be likened to lakes through which prana energy flows and is stored. Blockage within any of the channels or within the energy centers is related to imbalances at the physical,emotional, and spiritual levels.
Understanding the flow of prana is experiential rather than theoretical. It is through directly sensing the flow of prana that we begin to see its full potential. This potential includes the science of pranic healing, called pranavidya, which literally means “knowledge of prana.”
As we learn to sense and direct the flow of prana within the body, we can channel it to areas where it is especially needed, use it to remove blocks in the flow of prana and, at an advanced level, use pranic energy for healing others both locally and at a distance. This pranic healing is one of the traditional Indian healing systems and has some similarities to Reiki, which is well-known in our culture.

Prana is intimately linked to the breath. The breath is both a major source of prana and serves as a vehicle for regulating the flow of prana throughout the body. For this reason, the science of breath is called pranayama, the channeling or expansion of prana. In fact, the Sanskrit word pranayama can be translated in two different ways:

 PRANA + AYAMA = expansion of the life force.
 PRANA + YAMA = controlling, channeling of the life force.

Though the breath is a major source of prana, other important sources are: sunlight, water (especially the ocean), live foods (such as fresh vegetables), living in natural habitats with abundant foliage, and being in the presence of enlightened masters who have a supercharged supply of prana. All of the yoga practices, including asana, bandha, mudra, and especially pranayama, are designed to promote the increase and distribution of this supply of life force energy throughout our entire being. This energy of prana also plays a vital role in spiritual transformation and the evolution of consciousness.
Nature is a vital source of prana and combining our yoga practices with exposure to the five elements multiplies the beneficial effects.” – Joseph Le Page

"Prana Vidya is an advanced yogic practice distilled from the classical traditions and developed in the Satyananda Yoga system. It involves a deep exploration of prana,the life force,and develops the ability to channel this under-lying principles of existence.Not only does the practice allow access to subtle levels of consciousness,but it is also an effective healing method."

Here is the sequence

STANDING – 15-20 minutes (From the Ghosh Lineage Breathing Exercises
- Standing Deep Breathing
- Standing Deep Breathing in through nose out through mouth
- Standing Deep Breathing in quick inhalation and exhalation through the mouth
- Yoga Breathing’
- Deep Breathing Side and Front
- Deep Breathing with Chest Expansion
- Blowing
- Deep Breathing with Folded Hands
- Deep Breathing with Shoulder Blades
- Deep Breathing with Twisting
- ½ Moon Breathing

SAVASANA – 5 minutes (with gong)

SEATED – 20 to 30 minutes
- Belly Breathing
- Dirgah Pranayama
- Ujjayi
- Nadi Shodhana
- Chandra Bhedhana
- Sheetkari
- Sitali
- Bhramari
- SAVASANA – 5 minute with gong

UJJAYI ON BELLY

SEATED AGAIN

WHOLE BODY BREATHING
a) Full Body Breathing (Balloon Breathing) Feel the whole body gently expand on the
inhalation like a soft balloon, as if breathing through every pore. On the exhalation,
soften the body back in toward its center.

Third Eye Breathing
Inhale through the third eye (ajña chakra) at the center of the forehead and expand
the whole body as in Balloon Breathing, or direct the energy to a particular part of the
body as that needs healing. Be careful not to tense or strain the head, neck, or
eyes in any way. This breath is subtle and unforced. If any strain or headache occurs,
return to the previous breathing techniques.

Third Eye to Heart Breathing
Bring prana from ajña to anahata on the inhalation and from anahata to the affected
body part on the exhalation.
.
 Third Eye Activation Breathing
Inhale through the third eye at the center of the forehead and expand the whole body
as in Balloon Breathing, carrying the breath and prana out into the whole body or into a
specific body part. On the exhalation, draw the breath back into the third eye, charging
it with energy.

Cell Breathing
Breathe in through the center of the cells. Feel as if the breath originates from the
very center of each cell of the body. On the exhalation, rest the breath back into the
center of the cell.

BHRAMARI – LIE DOWN
SAVASANA – 5 minute

COME TO STANDING
STANDING
b) Front to Back
Like Side to Side, but divide the body between front and back.  Notice the feelings and sensations on front side of the body. Notice any colors that appear with the breath and energy. Now, change your focus to the back side of the body and experience sensations and color there. Compare the two sides of the body.

SITTING
BREATHING INTO THE PLANES OF THE BODY
a) Side to Side
Divide the body down the middle from left to right. Practice Ujjayi on just the right side of the body. Notice the feelings and sensations on this side of the body. Notice any colors that appear with the breath and energy. Now, change your focus to the left side of the body and experience sensations and color there. Compare the two sides of the body.

b)  SAVASANA
c) Top to Bottom
Like Side to Side, but divide the body between top and bottom.

SAVASANA
d) Alternate Nostril Body Breathing
Inhale up through the left side of the body through the left toes, the left fingers and palm, and left nostril. Notice the color of the breath and energy as it ascends up the left side of the body. Take the body feeling over to the right side of the body and exhale down through the right nostril, right hand and palm, and sole of the right foot. Notice the color of the breath and energy on the exhalation. Continue breathing from side to side. You may also include a natural retention of the breath at the top of the inhalation and a natural suspension of the breath at the end of the exhalation.


e) Front to Back Body Breathing (Microcosmic Orbit)
Inhale up from the pelvic floor to the crown of the head. Notice the color of the breath and energy as it ascends up the front of the body. Exhale down the back of the body, taking energy into the pelvic floor and charging this area with prana. Notice the sensation and color of the prana as it descends down the spine. On the next inhalation, continue the cycle back up the front of the body. You may also include a natural retention of the breath at the top of the inhalation and a natural suspension of the breath at the end of the exhalation.- Psychic Alternate Nostril Breathing

PRANA NIDRA with Gong

HEALING THE HEART WITH PRANA - PRANA VIDYA EXERCISES

"Prana Vidya is an advanced yogic practice distilled from the classical traditions and developed in the Satyananda Yoga system. It involves a deep exploration of prana,the life force,and develops the ability to channel this under-lying principles of existence.Not only does the practice allow access to subtle levels of consciousness,but it is also an effective healing method."

I worked on these exercises for the IYT Yoga Therapy Internship with Lisa, a yoga teacher, before her class yesterday.

I am not sure where Joseph and Lilian Le Page got these exercises from.  I don't know if they developed them from practices at Kripalu, from the Bihar School or put them together themselves.

I have used some of them in yoga therapy sessions and therapeutic classes but this is the first time I have used them together as a system.

Lisa is an advanced practitioner of yoga with a strong pranayama practice. It took us about an hour to and 15 minutes go through these exercises.  I checked in with her between each one.

PRANA VIDYA WARM UP EXERCISES - GROUP 1: WHOLE BODY BREATHING
a) Full Body Breathing (Balloon Breathing) Feel the whole body gently expand on the inhalation like a soft balloon, as if breathing through every pore. On the exhalation, soften the body back in toward its center.

b) Body-Part Breathing
Take the breath to specific body parts and expand each one separately, as in Balloon Breathing.

c) Psychic Heart Breath
Inhale through the psychic heart on the right side of the chest and expand the whole body as in Balloon Breathing, or direct the energy to a particular part of the body as in Body-Part Breathing.

d) Third Eye Breathing
Inhale through the third eye (ajña chakra) at the center of the forehead and expand
the whole body as in Balloon Breathing, or direct the energy to a particular part of the
body as in Body-Part Breathing. Be careful not to tense or strain the head, neck, or
eyes in any way. This breath is subtle and unforced. If any strain or headache occurs,
return to the previous breathing techniques.

e) Third Eye to Heart Breathing
Bring prana from ajña to anahata on the inhalation and from anahata to the affected
body part on the exhalation. You may also bring prana from ajña to the healing hand,
and from the healing hand to the affected body part on yourself or another.

f) Third Eye Activation Breathing
Inhale through the third eye at the center of the forehead and expand the whole body
as in Balloon Breathing, carrying the breath and prana out into the whole body or into a
specific body part. On the exhalation, draw the breath back into the third eye, charging
it with energy.

g) Cell Breathing
Breathe in through the center of the cells. Feel as if the breath originates from the very center of each cell of the body. On the exhalation, rest the breath back into the center of the cell.


Lisa very relaxed through the Whole Body Breathing Exercises and was able to easily do each of the exercises in this set.

PRANA VIDYA WARM EXERCISES - GROUP 2: BREATHING INTO THE PLANES OF THE BODY

a) Side to Side
Divide the body down the middle from left to right. Practice any of the Whole Body
Breathing techniques on just the right side of the body. Notice the feelings and sensations on this side of the body. Notice any colors that appear with the breath and energy. Now, change your focus to the left side of the body and experience sensations and color there. Compare the two sides of
the body.

Lisa said she couldn't verbally explain the differences between the sides of the body but she definitely felt them.  She didn't see strong colors but she may have accessed a pinkish/red on the right and a yellow on the left.

b) Front to Back
Like Side to Side, but divide the body between front and back.

She felt very centered on the front.  On the back she felt more sensations than she said she is usually aware of.

c) Top to Bottom
Like Side to Side, but divide the body between top and bottom.

Because she was sitting down she decided to divide the body at the waist. She says she feels much more comfort and connection to the upper part of the body than the lower. The upper chakras is where she says she lives in and she would like to develop the lower chakras especially the 2nd chakra. She said she did feel breathing in the sacrum.

d) Alternate Nostril Body Breathing
Inhale up through the left side of the body through the left toes, the left fingers and palm, and left nostril. Notice the color of the breath and energy as it ascends up the left side of the body. Take the body feeling over to the right side of the body and exhale down through the right nostril, right
hand and palm, and sole of the right foot. Notice the color of the breath and energy on the exhalation. Continue breathing from side to side. You may also include a natural retention of the breath at the top of the inhalation and a natural suspension of the breath at the end of the exhalation.

She saw a spiral in the form of a yellowish green coil coiling around the body. She liked this practice very much.

e) Front to Back Body Breathing (Microcosmic Orbit)
Inhale up from the pelvic floor to the crown of the head. Notice the color of the breath and energy as it ascends up the front of the body. Exhale down the back of the body, taking energy into the pelvic floor and charging this area with prana. Notice the sensation and color of the prana as it descends down the spine. On the next inhalation, continue the cycle back up the front of the body. You may also include a natural retention of the breath at the top of the inhalation and a natural suspension of
the breath at the end of the exhalation.

She found this practice very relaxing

PRANA VIDYA WARM UP EXERCISES - GROUP 3: AWARENESS OF THE FIVE PRANAVAYUS

a) Prana – upward movement of energy on the inhalation; focus in the chest.

b) Apana – downward movement of energy on the exhalation; focus in the pelvis.

c) Samana – outward movement from the abdomen on the inhalation and inward movement toward the center of the abdomen on the exhalation; focus from the navel to the solar plexus.

d) Udana – circular movement of energy in the throat and head; focus in the throat.

e) Vyana – brings prana from the core to the extremities; focus in the arms and legs.

f) Pranavayu Chaitanya – visualize all the vayus as synchronously flowing waves of light particles.

g) Prana and Apana Meet at Samana – sense the meeting of prana and apana at the center of the body.

Lisa was comfortable with all these practices.  I checked in with her with each vayu asking her if she had found it and when she said yes I gave her another minute to experience it, She that Prana and Apana meet at Samana was similar to a Tibetan practice she had learned years ago with some variations that she explained to me.

PRANA VIDYA EXERCISES GROUP 4. HEALING THE HEART WITH PRANA

a) Complete Warm Ups 1 to 3

b) Draw the breath into your heart center on the inhalation, and on the exhalation, take
the breath down into the palms, which are turned upward. As the prana fills the
hands, allow them to float slowly up into the air. You may begin the movement
consciously, but then you will find that by relaxing deeply, the hands will begin to rise
on their own.


c) Allow the hands to rise up toward your own heart and sense the pulsating cushion of
energy around your heart. Allow the hands to rest on this cushion of energy and sense
the nurturing and recharging of your own heart.

d) Now, slowly allow your right hand to turn toward your partner’s heart and come to a
place resting on their chest. The left hand can descend back onto your knee or lap.
Each partner can place the other’s hand in the correct position over the energetic
heart, which is on the right side of the chest. Exchange prana by inhaling through
your own heart and exhaling down through your arm and hand into your partner’s
heart. Synchronize the breath and sense the experience of giving and receiving
prana evenly and equally. Continue this for 5-10 breaths.

e) Release the hands in slow motion and come back to sitting with both hands resting
upward on the knees or in the lap, continuing with the whole body breath.

f) Bring the hands in anjali mudra in front of the heart and chant the sound of OM
together. Open the eyes and bow to your partner.


We both really enjoyed this last set up exercises and we felt the breath moving through are hands to each others hearts and syncing up the breath.  Lisa was so interested in the exercises she asked me for a copy of the practice.  

My main questions would be was it ok that I stopped between each one and checked in.  I didn't have her open her eyes I just checked in.  I think it was necessary in order to do the assignment and also to make sure the partner is there with you and not lost.  I would love more feedback about that.  I would like to do this group of exercises some more.  I may record them for myself so I can attempt to practice on myself.

I am very interested in prana, pranayama and prana vidya.  I would like to get more mastery of these practices.  When I am done with IYT I will take the pranayama and meditation training with the Yoga Academy of North America she I can get a better understand of all of this work that excites me very much. I am also excited to see what Module 7 will be like in August.

My Notes on PRANA VIDYA by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Niranjananada Saraswarti

DEFINITIONS
- Prana Vidya means the science of Life Force.
- Prana vidya also means the knowledge of the life force. (Vidya means meditation or Knowledge)

HISTORY
- Reference to Prana Vidya can be found in the Upanishads back to 500 BC
- In addition, unlike pranayama which is more or less standard methodology, the scope of prana vidya is much wider

SWAMI SATYANANDA'S APPROACH
“Swami Satyananda’s approach to prana vidya was based on tantra. He used the science of chakras, nadis and mantras to identify, and influence the energy patterns in the body.”

RESULTS
- Greater vitality
- Healing
- Shifts in mental patterns
- “Gradually the aspirant would experience prana as pure light concsiousness. In the final stage, the practice would become the pathway for merging with mahaprana, the cosmic energy.” p, x

TWO BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE UNIVERSE
- energy and consciousness
- Prana shakti and Citta Shakti
- They are opposite poles of the same principles.
- Tantra works on the principle that expansion of consciousness is specifically brought about by the liberation of energy. If there is no liberation of energy then the evolution of consciousness is not possible.
- Awakening of prana= the liberation of energy)  are the key to superconscious states

AIMS
- Prana Vidya (and Tantra) aim to release prana shakti from the body
- Individual life force is part of universal prana
- In Prana Vidya, using intense concentration, one-pointed awareness and visualizations, psychic energy is circulated through specific pranic channels in the body. After some time, this generates vast amounts of prana shakti

“Prana vidya progressively develops awareness an control over the field of prana to such an extent that it brings about an awakening of that great potential which lies dormant within the depths of one’s being. “ p, 4


“One must focus and retain the prana, with the help of the mind, in vital points.  For one who does pratyahara, drawing the prana from one point to another, all diseases are destroyed.  For him yoga attains fruition.” - Yoga Yaknavalkya (7:20-1)

PANCHA KOSHA SYSTEM - 5 DIMENSIONS OF EXISTENCE
- Human Beings are capable of experiencing 5 dimensions of existence which are called pancha koshas.  In prana vidya one is concerned with the pranic body which consists of chakras, energy plexuses, and nadis, energy channels.


BASICS OF PRANA VIDYA PRACTICE
- PV is an exceptionally subtle, yet powerful practice that requires patience, intense concentration and refined perception
- It begins with techniques to awaken dormant prana in the pranic body at mooladhara.  Then the storage center is manipura and the distribution center is ajna.
- Pingala nadi is the main nadi used for raising prana.  Circulating prana through pingala awakens and expands this solar energy. So one needs to become adept at techniques that incorporate pingala nadi
- A beginner should not use ida nadi to raise prana because it is the channel for introverting flow

PRANAYAMA TO PRANA VIDYA
- Pranayama is a stepping stone that leads one to Prana Vidya
- According to Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras - pranayama is said to activate the psychic centers and to create a condition in the brain by which the inherent psychic faculties are released  As a result the mind becomes fit for concentration.
- With regular practice, pranayama cultivates a deeper longer breath and the ability to retain the breath effortlessly.
- Ujjayi pranayama is a tranquilizing pranayama used throughout prana vidya
- Ujjayi pranayama is know as the psychic breath since it leads to very subtle states of mind and psychic sensitivity
- Ujjayi can be practiced from any position: standing, sitting or prone.
- When ujjayi is used it meditation it is performed through both nostrils with natural inhalation and exhalation and kumbaka is omitted
- By systematically moving the awareness and breath through the different parts of the body, the mind gradually becomes sensitized to the flow of energy.

MAPPING THE BODY
- To fully understand and direct the flow of prana, it is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the inner functioning of the body.  This detailed knowledge of the body is essential for successful practice of Prana Vidya

BENEFITS
- Swami Satyananda said the full benefits of prana vidya are experienced once complete mastery has been gained over the flow of prana.  When this happens the entire body-mind is completely revitalized to such an extent that there is a sense of being reborn

MEDITATION AND PRANA VIDYA
- The mind is connected to a huge reservoir of power but this reservoir is usually blocked
- The process of meditation is a continuous process that releases mental tensions and unlocks blocked energy
- Prana Vidya is a meditation practice on the vital life force within the body.
- It is a complete sadhana in itself and has the power to take one from pratyahara to deep states of meditation
- Prana Vidya harmonizes the pranas, controls the vagaries of the mind, expands the pranic capacity, develops the ability to control prana and in so doing, directs the awareness into deeper spheres of one’s own being

ORIGIN OF DISEASE
- According to the ancient yogic tests, the physical body depends on prana for health and wellbeing
- Gross forms of prana (food, water, and air) are needed by the physical body
- Refined forms of body are used by the sublte bodies
- The prana in the body has five forms (pancha prana): prana, apana, samana, vyana, and udana
- In the Yoga Vasistha (v. 712- 720) explains that imblanced prana leads to physical disease through improper digestion
- Diseases that have their origin in the mind and manifest in the boydy are known as psychosomatic disorders.
- Diseases that arise first in the body and then travel to the mind are called somatopsychic diseases
- Hatha yoga and tantra describe and prescribe techniques for both pyschosomatic and somatopsychic illnesses
- In yoga, the hypothesis is that all diseases are ultimately caused by improper distribultion of prana in the physical body. Even those diseases regarded as psychological in nature are actually caused by imbalance in pranic distribution

CHAKRAS AND PRANA

Visshddhi Chakra
- Vishuddhi distributes prana to the eues, nose, throat, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus and other organs and glands in that area
- There is an improper distribution in the thyroid, emotional symptoms occur
- Many emotional complexes and problems are directly caused by hypo or hyperthyroidism, even when a diseases condition is not clinically evident

Manipura Chakra
- This is the main distribution center for the digestive system and the adrenal glands that produce the hormone adrenaline
- Improper distribution of prana from manipura chakra to the adrenal glands can result in fear psychosis, as well as, somatic diseases such as colitis and hepatitis

Swadisthanana
- This is the distribution center for the urogenital organs including the uterus, ovaries kidnets urethra, and bladder
- Improper distribution of prana in these particular organs can create frigidity or impotence


PRANIC HEALING

- “Just as the impurities of metals are burnt after being blown (by fire), similarly the abnormalities of the organs are removed by controlling prana.” - Brihadyogi Yajnavalkya Smriti (8:30)

- In the Apollo Glenagles Hospital in Kolkata pranic healing is part of a holistic approach in cancer trearment

- Different names for pranic healing can be: prana vidya, medica qigong, psychic healing, reiki, therapeutic touch, laying of hands, magnetic healing, faith healing and charismatic healing, etc,
In yoga the pranic body is detailed in terms of koshas, chakras and nadis
Pranic healers generally use their hands to scan the patient’s body to sense the location of the pranic imblance which has resulted in illness and to direct the subtle parana to facilitate healing.  The techniques very but the common remedy is to energize the deficient areas, cleanse the excessive areas and if needed, remove restrictive blockages

Reiki
- Dr. Mikao Usui moulded a seven-level tantric teaching into what has become the modern-day healing technique known as reiki
- Rei is the japanese word meaning universal and ki is life force

Therapeutic Touch
- With our ten-fold fingered hands, with our tongue that precedes the voice, with these two healers of disease we stroke you with gentle touch

Malaysian pranic healing
- Laying on of hands
- Often involves percussive music with a steady four beat rhythm which brings trance state which is equivalent to theta brain waves found in deep meditaiton.  This is also the ultimate frequency for pain relief.

Transmission of Energy

Vedic Education
- Mantras and spiritual education in Atharva Veda

Traditional Pranic Healers in India
-They are called ojha
-They will often scan the body using their sensitivity to detect energetic disturbances that give rise to illness and disease
- Once diagnosed, they manipulate the subtle energy to cleanse, activate and realign the pranic body
- For healing to take place the patient needs to have complete trust and confidence in the healer and the healer’s ability to heal
- If there is no faith pranic healers usually refuse treatment

KUSHA GRASS METHOD
-Though the medium of the kusha grass, the psychic healer uses his prana to feel the psychic illness in the child
-The grass is passed over the body from top of the head down to the feet and then down the left and right sides of the baby until the grass stops itself of the unwell area

EVIL EYE
-To diagnose the influence of the evil eye, the healer makes a concoction of burning charcol, red chilies and mustard seeds and puts in iron vessel near the patient.  IF the patient does not sneeze or cough the problem is said to be because of the evil eye

KARMIC ILLNESSES
-Some diseases are diagnosed as the result of karma
- Then family and community must help on the healing

VIBHOOTI
-Cow dung or sacred ash is sometimes used
- If healing takes place the person is asked to never return

DISPOSAL OF TOXIC ENERGY
- After pranic healing the healer must dispose of toxic energy

ANCIENT WISDOM
- To be effective the healers must understand the different types of illness and their causes
- Treatment mostly involves various upward, downward, left, right or circular passes with the hands or blowing the prana with the breath
- Purification practices may include rising early each morning, performing nadi shuddhi, practiscing mouna silence and observing a simple diet.
- Traditionally healers are not supposed to charge

Prana Pratishta
- Establishing the prana or infusing life into an insentient object

SIGNIFICANCE OF MANTRA
- In Tantra, the 50 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet are related to the psychical and psychic centers of the boy
The power of mantra effects prana and prana heals the body and transforms the mind

EVIDENCE OF PRANIC BODY
- 1970s, Dr. Valerie Hunt at UCLA recorded aura from the body’s surgace
- Studies have also revealed that sound as well as color were produced by a particular frequency of energy vibrations

NADIS AND CHAKRAS
- Dr. Motoyama was written that acupuncture and yogic concepts of nadis have the same foundation

- “Yogis, seers and healers have laid out maps by which we can raise our own level of energy and directly perceive the force of the universe.  The work of researchers is helping to verify these ancient claims.  However, while science may explore and make the proof of energy available via machines, we ca tap the essence only by direct experience which comes from practice.” p. 53


GUIDANCE
 - It is necessary to have guidance for the awakening of prana shakti
- A guru or teacher should be present while the technique is learned
- The awakening of energy is sometimes experienced as terrible pain in some part of the body which suddenly shoots up to the brain.  Although, sometimes it is an intensely pleasurable experience.

SELFLESSNESS
- Refrain from all selfish motives with regard to helping others
- It is important not to accept anything in return for psychic healing
- “Neither gold nor silver, neith cloths nor food, nothing can be accepted.” - Tantra Shastras


SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
- Do it in the right order and don’t rush the process

TIME OF PRACTICE
- Early in the morning before sunrise between 4am and 6am

PLACE
- Calm and peaceful place without disturbances


POSTURE
- meditative posture that is comfortable or in shavasana

AWARENESS
- Maintain awareness throughout the practice and don’t fall asleep

CLOTHING
- Loose and comfortable without constrictions made of natural fibers like cotton or wool

METAL
- Remove all metal while practicing like rings, watches, glasses, etc.

POST PRACTICE DISORIENTATION
- Not move the body or open the eyes immediately after practice
- Externalize yourself

RETURNING PRANA FROM AJNA
- make sure at the practice the prana is returned to mooladhara

LOSS OF PERSONAL PRANA
- One should feel themselves as the instrument not the doer of the pranic healing

DISEASE TRANSFER
- Sometimes disease is transferred from patient to healer

NEED FOR DISCRIMINATION
- Use discrimination when applying prana vidya

ESSENTIAL PREPARATION FOR PRANA VIDYA
- Prana Vidya requires receptivity and sensitivity to prana, proficiency in pranayama, the ability to visualize prana, and thorough knowledge of the psychical body
- Hatha Yoga Asanas, Pranayama, Bandhas, Mudras
- Yoga Nidra
- Prana Nidra
- Kaya Sthairyam (Body Steadiness)
- Japa (mantra repetition)