T-Ph21 looks at the link between asana and pranayama and considers prana and the vayus. An extensive range of articles drawn from diverse sources along with video extracts makes this a valuable resource.
‘All vibrating energies are prana. All physical energies such as heat, light, gravity, magnetism, and electricity are also prana. It is the hidden and potential energy in all beings, released to the fullest extent as a response to any threat to one’s survival. It is the prime mover of all activity. It is energy that creates, protects, and destroys. Hindus often say that GOD is Generator, Organizer, and Destroyer. Inhalation is the generating power, retention is the organizing power, and exhalation, if the energy is vicious, is the destroyer. This is prana at work. Vigour, power, vitality, life, and spirit are all forms of prana.
Prana is usually translated as breath, yet this is only one of its manifestations. According to the Upanishads, it is the principle of life and consciousness. It is equated with the Soul (Atman). It is the breath of life of all beings in the universe. They are born through it and live by it, and when they die their individual breath dissolves into the cosmic breath. It is the most essential, real, and present feature of every moment of our lives and yet it remains the most mysterious. It is yoga’s job, and especially pranayama’s, to enter into the heart of this mystery’.
Iyengar BKS, Light on Life p.66
The subject is in six parts and contains articles, videos and quotes. It is advisable to engage with each part of the course and not rush through our subjects consuming the content quickly. Apply a reflective mode where you might read an article prior to or immediately after practice. Where quotes are used they are often accompanied by an extract of the text. Look up other quotes used (as they have the source and page noted) and read the complete version of the text. You might consider covering one part of the subject each week. T-Ph21 is a lifetime enrollment.
