Pranamayakosha

What is it?

The Pranamayakosha is identified as Prana or vital breath. Prana is considered the life force in yoga.

Yoga practices that work with this Kosha

Pranayama, the practice of yogic breathing helps to put the individual in touch with the Pranamayakosha. Breath awareness practiced through pranayama is the main mode to connect with the Pranamayakosha.

From the Eatern perspective, the body needs a balanced flow of energy to maintain optimal health. This energy lies on a series of channels also known as the Nadis, and connects to the energy centers in the body, known as the Chakras. Prana, the breath is the link between the energy body and the physical body.

Bringing awareness to breath can help to break poor breathing patterns. Breaking these patterns (such as shallow or chest-only breathing), can help to remove energetic blockages in the body. In this theory (practiced in most forms of integrative yoga therapy), practicing appropriate pranayama and/or improving the way in which one breaths, can help to improve overall health.

References

• Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher Training Manual, Nosara Yoga Institute
• Professional Yoga Therapist Manual, created by Integrative Yoga Therapy, 2006, Joseph LePage
• Yoga and Ayurveda by David Frawley