16/04/2025
Why do you practise yoga?
Maybe you just do asana. That’s great! The benefits of a consistent asana practice are undeniable; it’s a major chunk of my day, every day, and will be as long as I’m able to continue.
But let’s talk about Pranayama. What is Prana? Prana is the breath. Our ‘accompanying spirit’, is how I like to describe it. It is our constant, closest companion from the time we are born, without ‘whom’ we would lack animation, and we habitually take this companion’s presence for granted!
STOP IGNORING YOUR PRANA. YOUR PRANA WANTS TO BE YOUR BESTIE AND IS YOUR DEVOTED PAL FOR LIFE.
Neglecting this relationship affects many things like our mental and physical health, our sleep quality, metabolism, immune system, just to name a few. Pranayama, the practice of breath control and intentional channeling of energy within the body, is a way to develop a relationship with our breath, to strengthen the connection between body, mind, and spirit, allowing for full present awareness and grounding. Clarity and calm can be achieved without medication and substances.
The result of strengthening the bond with this constant partner is pure magic. Your Prana sustains you despite your neglect, but give it your gratitude and attention every day and you will be rewarded with vitality, stronger immune and cardiovascular system, mental clarity, better digestion and metabolism, lifted mood, quality sleep, a stoked libido and a joie de vivre.
If you want to learn what I practise, come see me Tuesday evenings 5.45pm at The Neuk in Breathing Space Studio Aberdeen. We’ll also learn mudras and mantras to practise one-pointed focus, and a brief lesson each week about applying yogic philosophy to our daily life.
I can’t write a post about pranayama without mentioning Oli .yoga . I started practising with Oli a few years ago and he was the first yoga teacher I ever had (since 1997!) that taught pranayama. He blinded me with science and at first I was like, yeah whatever, nerd… but it changed my life and I’m so grateful. Learn from him if you can, he’s taught me so much 🙏🏼