The body energetic system is fed by the raw material of life: chi (Chinese), prana (Indian), Ki (japan), mana (Hawaii), ruach (Jewish), or life force. Becoming acquainted with the prana will be followed by learning some conscious breathing techniques. These foundational tools, as you will see, impact the expanded energetic system at all levels. Their importance cannot be understated. In essence, once we have the understanding of prana then we must re-learn how to breathe, essentially returning to the breathing practiced by our child self as an infant. Doing so will impact our whole being in remarkable ways. Please know that this process involves conscious choice and practice. An occasional visit does not reprogram or assist in unlearning those habits that have compromised your whole body for so long. I invite you to make a serious commitment to this foundation to initiate a profound change that will follow a consistent practice.

I just downloaded a book Prana and Pranayama, by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, and will be borrowing heavily from it in presenting a foundational knowledge of prana.

Prana is the vital force that sustains not only the body, but also creation at every level. The seers of India have always known what modern science has been trying to fathom: the existence of a primeval force, its nature, potential, and how to harness it. Every yogic science – mantra, yajna, austerities, different forms of concentration and meditation – is aimed at awakening and enhancing this vital force within the unit of the individual or the wider universe. The Sanskrit word prana is a combination of two syllables, pra and na, and denotes constancy, a force in constant motion.

Prana exists in sentient beings as the energy that drives every action, voluntary and involuntary, every thought, every level of the mind and body. Scientific research describes prana as a complex multidimensional energy: a combination of electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, photonic, ocular, thermal and mental energies. Prana also exists in the insentient world, causing motion, growth and decay at this level. Prana is, indeed, the basis of manifested creation. It is the force that emerged out of the ‘original willing’ of the primal consciousness to bring about creation.

In the pranic body, prana flows through nadis, energy channels, and is stored in chakras, energy vortices. According to some researchers, the electromagnetic energy in prana gives rise to radiation in which the waves of electric energy and magnetic energy are at ninety degrees to each other, resulting in what looks like a spiral. Indeed, the spiral radiation structure around chakras has been seen, described and drawn by sages and savants from all parts of the world at different times.

Prana is inherent to a being. We are born with a certain quantum of prana, and we maintain it, increase or decrease it through the air we breathe, the food we eat, the thoughts we think, the actions we perform and the kind of life we lead. When we die, the accumulated prana leaves the body.
Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda. Prana and Pranayama (Kindle Locations 108-114). Yoga Publications Trust. Kindle Edition.

It would follow that awareness of it in body and elsewhere as well as an understanding of its importance and conscious use would prove to be a critical element of an elevated and aligned life. To be able to consciously regulate the in and out flow of prana is a skill to develop. Knowledge follows awareness. Notice how your body feels. Pay attention to sensation. Notice aches and pains. These are all wake up calls…wake up the life force calls, each pointing to the area that needs the rescue.

The hands down best way to activate, regulate, and even manipulate the chi for your energetic livelihood is through the conscious breath. The breath contains the life force as chi the same time it holds the life force as oxygen. Both critical. In combination, an unbeatable pair. To this end we devote our remaining space…breathing with consciousness. That last part is the key, because most have lost connection with the breath of life that nurtures, sustains, and empowers. We have developed bad habits that actually restrict the flow of the prana, resulting in way more illnesses, diseases and death than  there need be. Breathe consciously. That means knowing what you are doing and getting by doing so. It means marshalling focus to intend the breath and life force to specific areas of need within the body. It means noticing when you are low in energetic resources and having specific remedies for each condition or form. It means reawakening the original circular breath that can automatically cleanse and clear the physical body of lower frequency energetics.

To get there you must be willing to practice. In down time moments you can practice breathing a specific and intentional technique. You can do conscious breathing whenever the alarm goes off, whenever you get up to pee, whenever you go into the kitchen, whenever you brush your teeth, whenever you get into or out of your car, whenever you take a bath, whenever you think of such and such…on and on, the triggers are endless. Still, you are the one who must make that choice to practice the technique. And that is the block you must work to overcome. For once in the flow the body will take over.

When I first learned about breathing I noticed I was an upper lung breather like most of Western culture/society. After learning the complete breath that included abdominal expansion, I found that my normal breathing quickly became abdominal and full involving the entire lung, especially the lower half where the greatest volume of the design lies. Now, when I pay attention to my breathing I see that my abdomen is engaged in every breath, unless I am stuck and on the brink of being triggered or releasing a pattern. That feeds me large amounts of oxygen and prana. Adding some chi gung or tai chi augments the regular breathing practice as well.

It will be useful to learn a set of breathing exercises. The Sanskrit/Hindu tradition has long been advocates of Complete Breathing that engages the practices of yoga and chant and mantra and meditation. So, we will borrow from there as I list and briefly annotate an assortment of breathing practices or Pranayama:

Pranayama practices activate the individual prana and raise it to a higher frequency. They generate a certain amount of heat or creative force throughout the body. This influences the existing quantum of prana, which makes its way up to ajna chakra, the psychic centre in the midbrain, and can then be directed to different areas of the body. This process is the basis of prana vidya.
Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda. Prana and Pranayama (Kindle Locations 288-291). Yoga Publications Trust. Kindle Edition.

But, before we look into each let’s establish a few basic elements of the Conscious breathing; nasal versus mouth breathing, posture, and what to do with the mind.

Nasal versus Mouth breathing

The nasal passages play a vital role in pranayama practice. Yogis state that the nostrils are control mechanisms for the flow of breath as well as the pranic energy that flows through nadis. The nostrils also have a direct connection to the brain and are doorways to the total mind-body system. Control over the breath in the nostrils allows one to guide the internal environment without the need for external aids such as drugs and chemicals. The internal processes can be influenced by the breath in order to improve health, change states of the mind or attain higher levels of consciousness.

…which is exposed to incoming air, and cause eddies in the air, so that dust and foreign particles can settle down. This in turn allows the moist and warm mucous membranes to clean, humidify and regulate the temperature of air entering the lungs. Dust is trapped by the mucus and pushed back into the pharynx by tiny hairs called cilia, which line the mucous membrane of the nose. The cilia have a whip or broom-like movement, sweeping the mucus backwards towards the pharynx.

The inhaled air is humidified by the lachrymal fluid, which is formed by the glands in the eyes and flows continually to the nose through the naso-lacrymal duct. When the lachrymal fluid is in excess, as in crying, infection or irritation of the eyes, it comes out of the eyes as tears. Otherwise, it flows into the nose continuously to humidify the inhaled air. About one litre of this fluid is formed each day. There are blood sinusoids in the mucous membrane of the nose, which warm the inhaled air and condition it to the temperature of the body. There are cavities in the bones of the face, known as para-nasal sinuses, which are connected to the nose. The inhaled air enters these cavities, forming currents, and causing the dust in it to settle down.

This is the ‘air-conditioning’ function of the nose – purifying, warming and humidifying the inhaled air. Without this initial air-conditioning, the lungs would become dry, clogged with dust, and susceptible to disease.
Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda. Prana and Pranayama (Kindle Locations 1354-1364). Yoga Publications Trust. Kindle Edition.

By contrast, breathing through the mouth is gulping air to initiate action. It, along with diminished use of the lung volume capacity contributes to the desensitivity and stress so often prevalent in Western culture. The mouth is used to gulp large amounts of air in order to do something. None of the benefits of cleansing and warming the breath happen in mouth breathing. One would benefit greatly by making nostril breathing their most consistent form of breathing.

Complete Breath/Yogic breathing

Lie down in shavasana and relax the whole body. Inhale slowly from the diaphragm, allowing the abdomen to expand fully.
Breathe slowly and deeply so that little or no sound is heard.
Feel the air filling the bottom lobes of the lungs.
After full abdominal expansion, expand the chest outwards and upwards. At the end of this movement, inhale a little more and feel the air filling the upper lobes of the lungs.
The shoulders and collarbones should move up slightly. This completes one inhalation. The whole process should be one continuous movement, each phase of the breath merging into the next without any obvious demarcation point. The breathing should be like the swell of the sea with no jerking or unnecessary strain.
Now start to exhale. First relax the collarbones and shoulders.
Then allow the chest to relax downward and then inward.
Next, allow the diaphragm to move back up into the chest cavity. Without straining, try to empty the lungs as much as possible by pulling the abdominal wall down towards the spine, while simultaneously contracting the ribcage further, in a smooth, harmonious movement.
This completes one round of yogic breathing. Continue breathing in this manner. Hold the breath for a second or two at the end of each inhalation and exhalation. While practicing, feel the expansion and contraction of the lungs and the sensation this produces. Complete 10 rounds of yogic breathing. Slowly increase the duration of practice to 10 minutes daily. Do not strain the lungs in any way. Once the technique has been mastered in shavasana, practice in the sitting position.
Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda. Prana and Pranayama (Kindle Locations 2479-2486). Yoga Publications Trust. Kindle Edition.

Relaxation Breath

Slowing down the rate of your breathing can create a relaxed state, allowing increased oxygenation and pranic storage. The technique of counting breath can lead you to  longer durations of inhale and exhale which will contribute to the relaxed state. Combining this with an intentional pause at the after the inhalation and exhalation amplifies the relaxing effects.

Utilizing the complete or yogi breath of breathing to abdomen and filling up the lung like a wave set an intention to follow a sequence of 4-2-4-2.

Breathe in for a count of 4 (1,Om, 2,Om…)

Hold the breath for 2

Exhale in a controlled manner for 4 making the last of the breath be release at 4

Hold for 4

Begin again. Do at least 10 cycles to create the relaxation.

After this technique feels comfortable then adjust the sequence to 4-4-4-4; then 5-5-5-5, continue up to 10-10-10-10 with slow inhalation and exhalation for the full count. Once reached then you can start to extend the exhalation, starting at 10-10-11-10, up to 10-10-20-10. You will notice a growing capacity to remain calm and balanced and quite alert and focused as well.

Energizing Breath

AT times when you feel lethargic this breath from Kundalini Yoga practice will quickly generate energy. The practice involves breathing in as fast as you can through the nose to the belly, like a dog who is panting, except the moth is closed. The diaphragm acts like a bellows and pulls in the air. Doing so for about a minute will usually result in a noticeable rise in alertness and energy level. You may need to start slowly and work up to the very fast pace just to enable the abdominal muscles to integrate this kind of movement. They may stumble and fumble a bit. Work up to 90 seconds or more if you can.

Circular Breathing

Continuous, connected, or circle breathing grew out of some of the clearing processes of the mid 80’s, particularly Rebirthing and Holotropic Breathwork. The process is quite similar to the way the infant, and thus, us all, breathe by design, with no interruption between inhalation and exhalation, The design state indicates that with no interruption the system stays clean and stores no energetic trauma as the breath clears the energies of living spontaneously. Some of the established benefits include: Rejuvenate your body; Reduce or eliminate stress & tension; Increase your mental clarity; Increase your creativity; Reduce emotional trauma; Reduce fear & anxiety; Improve your health & vitality; Increase joy and happiness; Increase your peace of mind; Improve family relationships; Open your heart to more love; Open you to deep spiritual experiences (from JoyfulLifeProject.com)

1. Find a comfortable position
2. Breath into the abdomen through the nose
3. At the completion of the inhale begin exhalation with no pause
4. At the completion of the exhale begin inhalation again with no pause.
5. Continue doing so for at least 10 cycles in the beginning.
6. Likely you will notice sensations in the body as the super oxygenation process begins to clear out your energetic system of stored trauma.
7. It is not uncommon for tears to rise and memories to flow. The intent is to always return to the circle of breath. Everything that arises passes. No attachment is necessary.
8. As you explore this breathing process you may want to have someone join you to make sure you keep returning to the breath. I have personally reached points where, as I moved through a release, where I felt a sense of paralysis (the breath cleared it) and I also reached a point where I just stopped breathing (I was so full of oxygen and prana…started up with a reminder).
9. This type of conscious breathing is very useful when emotion is moving, when one feels overwhelmed, when one is already in a challenging emotional state, when pain is strong, or when tears are stuck on the verge of release.
10. Returning to the interrupted normal breathing pattern will stop the movement of the energy.
    
    

Pranic Tube Breathing/empowerment

Visualize a tube of light about 2 inches in diameter rising up from the Earth through the Earth Star chakra 18 inches below the feet, continuing through your perineum up the spine to the heart. Also see a similar tube descending through the Soul Star chakra an arm’s length above the head though the Crown Chakra down the spine to the heart as well.

This empowerment is to consciously activate a consistent flow of prana directed through the entire central core to meet at the heart. It is also heart opening and heart expanding.

Breathe in pulling Light energy up from the Earth through the Earth Star into the body at the perineum interfacing each chakra to reach the heart and infuse that area.

On the exhale send the breath down to whence it came.

Breathe in and pull Light down through the Soul Star into the Crown Chakra to the heart, expanding that area

Exhale out through the tube through the Crown and Soul Star.

Repeat these two processes about 4 times.

Now visualize the breath and the Light pulling in towards the heart from both directions to the heart space where it expands in a sphere.

On the exhale send the mixture in both directions. Repeat this mix breath process 6 times.

Repeat this whole process daily at least. Your intentional work augments the pranic supply, distributes it in both directions, expands the heart chakra, and prepares you for an expanded capacity of manifestation, relying on the pranic life force.

Yogi Cleansing Breath
This Cleansing Breath ventilates and cleanses the lungs, stimulates the cells and gives a general tone to the respiratory organs, and is conducive to their general healthy condition. Besides this effect, it is found to greatly refresh the entire system. Speakers, singers, etc., will find this breath especially restful, after having tired the respiratory organs. (1) Inhale a complete breath. (2) Retain the air a few seconds. (3) Pucker up the lips as if for a whistle (but do not swell out the cheeks), then exhale a little air through the opening, with considerable vigor. Then stop for a moment, retaining the air, and then exhale a little more air. Repeat until the air is completely exhaled. Remember that considerable vigor is to be used in exhaling the air through the opening in the lips. This breath will be found quite refreshing when one is tired and generally “used up.” A trial will convince the student of its merits.

 THE YOGI NERVE VITALIZING BREATH

This is an exercise well known to the Yogis, who consider it one of the strongest nerve stimulants and invigorants known to man. Its purpose is to stimulate the Nervous System, develop nerve force, energy and vitality. This exercise brings a stimulating pressure to bear on important nerve centers, which in turn stimulate and energize the entire nervous system, and send an increased flow of nerve force to all parts of the body.

(1) Stand erect.
(2) Inhale a Complete Breath, and retain same.
(3) Extend the arms straight in front of you, letting them be somewhat limp and relaxed, with only sufficient nerve force to hold them out.
(4) Slowly draw the hands back toward the shoulders, gradually contracting the muscles and putting force into them, so that when they reach the shoulders the fists will be so tightly clenched that a tremulous motion is felt.
(5) Then, keeping the muscles tense, push the fists slowly out, and then draw them back rapidly (still tense) several times.
(6) Exhale vigorously through the mouth.
(7) Practice the Cleansing Breath. The efficiency of this exercise depends greatly upon the speed of the drawing back of the fists, and the tension of the muscles, and, of course, upon the full lungs. This exercise must be tried to be appreciated. It is without equal as a “bracer,” as our Western friends put it.

 THE YOGI VOCAL BREATH

The Yogis have a form of breathing to develop the voice. They are noted for their wonderful voices, which are strong, smooth and clear, and have a wonderful trumpet-like carrying power. They have practiced this particular form of breathing exercise which has resulted in rendering their voices soft, beautiful and flexible, imparting to it that indescribable, peculiar floating quality, combined with great power. The exercise given below will in time impart the above-mentioned qualities, or the Yogi Voice, to the student who practices it faithfully. It is to be understood, of course, that this form of breath is to be used only as an occasional exercise, and not as a regular form of breathing. (1) Inhale a Complete Breath very slowly, but steadily, through the nostrils, taking as much time as possible in the inhalation. (2) Retain for a few seconds.

THE RETAINED BREATH

This is a very important exercise which tends to strengthen and develop the respiratory muscles as well as the lungs, and its frequent practice will also tend to expand the chest. The Yogis have found that an occasional holding of the breath, after the lungs have been filled with the Complete Breath, is very beneficial, not only to the respiratory organs but to the organs of nutrition, the nervous system and the blood itself. They have found that an occasional holding of the breath tends to purify the air which has remained in the lungs from former inhalations, and to more fully oxygenate the blood. They also know that the breath so retained gathers up all the waste matter, and when the breath is expelled it carries with it the effete matter of the system, and cleanses the lungs just as a purgative does the bowels. The Yogis recommend this exercise for various disorders of the stomach, liver and blood, and also find that it frequently relieves bad breath, which often arises from poorly ventilated lungs. We recommend students to pay considerable attention to this exercise, as it has great merits. The following directions will give you a clear idea of the exercise:
(1) Stand erect.
(2) Inhale a Complete Breath.
(3) Retain the air as long as you can comfortably.
(4) Exhale vigorously through the open mouth.
(5) Practice the Cleansing Breath. At first you will be able to retain the breath only a short time, but a little practice will also show a great improvement. Time yourself with a watch if you want to note your progress.

LUNG CELL STIMULATION

This exercise is designed to stimulate the air cells in the lungs, but beginners must not overdo it, and in no case should it be indulged in too vigorously. Some may find a slight dizziness resulting from the first few trials, in which case let them walk around a little and discontinue the exercise for a while.
 (1) Stand erect, with hands at sides.
(2) Breathe in very slowly and gradually.
(3) While inhaling, gently tap the chest with the finger tips, constantly changing position.
(4) When the lungs are filled, retain the breath and pat the chest with the palms of the hands.
(5) Practice the Cleansing Breath. This exercise is very bracing and stimulating to the whole body, and is a well-known Yogi practice. Many of the air cells of the lungs become inactive by reason of incomplete breathing, and often become almost atrophied. One who has practiced imperfect

There is a rich archive of breathwork process experiences. If this impacts you then explore via the internet as well as Amazon. Make sure you trust your own guidance on which ones to follow. The ancient Hindu techniques can be very specific and involved, with steps building on one another. If that kind of highly spiritual life is calling then there are several textbooks available…ask me about them. But if you simply want to expand your capacity to access and utilize your life force and enhance your own health on all levels then what we have laid out is sufficient. But there must be consistent practice to build the muscles of support, develop your experience and confidence in the technique, and take advantage of the cumulative effect of the sessions. It is well worth the effort. At the least you will consistently feel good and rarely get sick.