Prana - the Energy keeping us alive

Hi friends, 

Welcome to my Post No.4 on Acupressure in daily routine.  In the last 2 days I saw many people showing interest in reading my posts and requested me for regular posts on this subject. I express my sincere thanks to all of you for encouraging me to present my posts regularly.  

In my previous post, you have learnt about Chi / Prana - the driving Force of our body.  You have also learnt about the factors responsible for continuous utilization & formation of this Energy by our body. 

Here i would like to make the concept of Prana (the life force) more  clearer.  Everyone of us must of heard people using the word PANCH PRANA (पंच प्राण) while narrating any horrifying incidents happened in their lives.

Yogic philosophy says that the sheath (कोषा) of Prana  i.e. Pranamaya Kosha  (प्राणमय कोषा) is made up of Five main (major) pranas, collectively known as PANCH PRANA (पंच प्राण).  They are :

1.  Prana :

Prana is the force associated with respiratory organs, speech, gullet and the muscles & nerves which activate these organs.  This sheath i.e. Pranamaya Kosha (प्राणमय कोषा) takes care of the area between Larynx and the top of Diaphragm. Prana is the force by which the process of breath in (inhalation) takes place.

2.  Udana:

Udana takes care of the area of the body above the neck.  It activates sensory organs like eyes, nose, ears etc. One of the functions of Udana is to activate thought and consciousness.  This force also activates limbs (hands & legs) and their muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints and thus helps to maintain an erect posture of the body.

3.  samana;

This force is situated between heart and navel.  It activates and controls the digestive system i.e. liver, intestines, pancreas and stomach and also  their secretions (digestive enzymes). Samana force activates the heart and circulatory system and is also responsible for assimilation of nutrients.

4.  Apana:

Apana force  is situated below the navel area and provides energy to the large intestine, kidneys, anus and genitals. This force is concerned with expulsion of waste from the body.

5. Vyana:

Vyana relates to the whole body.  It regulates all movements of the body, co-ordinates with other Pranas and acts as a reservoir for them.  

in addition to the above Five major Pranas, there are five minor Pranas.  These are known as Upa Pranas.  

Five Upa Pranas:  These five Upa pranas manifest themselves in physiological functions.

	Upa Prana	Function
1.	Naga	Belching and hiccups
2.	Koorma	Opens the eyes and stimulates blinking.
3.	Krikara	Generates hunger, thirst, sneezing and coughing
4.	Devadatta	Induces sleep and yawing
5.	Dhananjaya	Lingers immediately after death and responsible for decomposition of the body.

Each of the above five Upa Pranas functions to compensate and regulate the effectiveness of the five major pranas.

Secret of health:
The secret of health and the state of well-being is to keep all our Pranas in harmony. Imbalance of one Prana tends to make other Pranas imbalanced as all these are linked together. 

i believe that the concept of prana is now clear to everyone and hope you all liked my post. Your opinions and suggestions are always welcome and the same may please be conveyed to me on: acutherapy15@gmail.com 

With this, I conclude the present post and will comeback very soon with my new post.. 
Thank you, 
G. Srinivas