The 8th Body in Kundalini Yoga: Discover the Prana & Pranic Body

Jun 05, 2020 / Kundalini Yoga

Woman practices pranayama by on rock the sea

“Your pranic body and your auric body must coincide to keep you young and alive. That’s where youth is.”
– Yogi Bhajan

As you begin your study, you will come across the ten bodies in Kundalini Yoga. Each of these bodies holds its own power. One of the most vital to your health, happiness, and prosperity is the pranic body. Understanding this body and how to balance it is vital. Within our guide, we will take you through the core questions and how you can use pranayama.

What is Prana?

“What is Prana? Prana is what comes in your life through the breath. We call it breath of life.”
– Yogi Bhajan

Simply put, “prana” is the old Sanskrit word for “primary energy”. You may also hear it translated as “breath” or “vital force” from time to time. Prana travels through the air and is the master form of all energy. It works at every level of our being and mainly comes from the oxygen we inhale each moment. As we inhale and exhale, that energy moves within us and, in turn, transforms our cells.

Prana moves through the eighth body in Kundalini Yoga, known as the pranic body. Taking the time to balance this body supports our vitality. As Yogi Bhajan taught, pranic energy is life. It is a special gift that each of us has been given.

So that you may keep emotional, spiritual, and physical balance, you must ensure that the ten bodies are also in balance. Through using the ancient technology of Kundalini Yoga and engaging in regular practices (of pranayama), you can ensure that you are clear, calm, and serene.

When you become more experienced in the realms of Kundalini Yoga, you will learn that there are five subdivisions in prana. These are also known as the five vayus and consist of the following: prana-vayu, apana-vayu, vyana-vayu, udana vayu, and samana-vayu.

As a Kundalini Yoga beginner, you don’t need to worry about these subdivisions. For now, you can focus solely on the power of the prana and how you can use pranayama.

Signs The Prana is Out of Balance

Keeping the prana in balance in your body is essential to every aspect of your life. The eight body in Kundalini Yoga provides energy and clarity to those who seek it. The prana may become imbalanced when you eat too much acidic or processed food, failing to get enough sleep, not drinking enough water, or not getting enough exercise. Should you worry that your prana is imbalanced, you may notice the following signs:

Stress and anxiety
Negative thoughts
Digestive issues
Extreme fatigue
Depression
Aches and pains
Dizziness and headaches
Sexual problems
Emotional reactions

While none of these signs alone denote an imbalance in your pranic energy, a combination of them could be a red flag. When you notice a handful of these signs in sync, you should seek to restore the balance somehow. Fortunately, the Kundalini Yoga practice can help.

Signs The Prana is Balanced

“When you breathe consciously it gives you prosperity, it gives you projection, it gives you personality, because it adds to your aura and you expand.”
– Yogi Bhajan

When prana is in balance means that oxygen is circulating properly in the body, and it’s purifying the blood and the circulatory system. Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga, you can start to reap some remarkable rewards. Here are some of the side effects that you can expect when you balance the prana:

Improved health
Vitality
Extra energy
Clarity in thinking
Neutral mind
Sense of relaxation
Purifies the circulatory system
Prosperity
Purifies the blood
Confidence
Empowerment

Given all of the above, tending to your pranic energy and keeping your prana in balance should be a top priority. Experiencing a combination of these rewards will help you lead a happier, more fulfilled, and better quality of life. Whether you’re hoping to enhance your physical life or improve your spiritual and emotional life, you certainly stand to benefit.

The Search for a Neutral Mind

“It is the neutral mind through which we should act and live. Because the neutral should decide what is going on, what is positive, what is negative.”
– Yogi Bhajan

In harnessing the power of the prana or pranic energy, one of the main aims is to neutralize the mind. While many of us live in fear and anxiety, we must transform our mindset if we’re to reach true happiness and peace. The prana, pranic body, or breath, is inherently linked to the mind and the thoughts that we have.

For that reason, by focusing our attention on the eight body of Kundalini Yoga allows us to change our perspective and mindset. When we engage in pranayama and take charge of the energy, we can work toward a neutral mind. That means cleansing the subconscious and conscious minds so that we think from a neutral standpoint at all times.

What is Pranayama?

“That’s how yogis extend their life—by practicing one breath a minute. When you practice one breath a minute, then you become Pavan Guru—you become the light and knowledge of the prana, and then you know the Universe, the Universe knows you.”
– Yogi Bhajan

Put simply, pranayama is a type of breathwork that is fundamental to energize your pranic body. There are many various pranayama techniques, which you will learn as you begin your journey. The more you delve into this technology, the greater the benefits will be that you reap. Engaging in pranayama will help you balance your pranic energy and reap other benefits. These include better health, clear consciousness, and increased relaxation.

If you are new to the world of pranayama, you may be wondering where to start. Each pranayama practice may serve a different purpose in your life. To get you started, here are some examples of practices that you may wish to try for yourself:

Getting started in your pranayama practice could be a rewarding path. If you’re hoping to balance your pranic energy and gain other effective benefits, why not get started with one of the above? You can also do your own research and look into other powerful methods.

Continue Your Kundalini Yoga Journey!

Now that you understand the prana and pranic body, use this knowledge in your Kundalini Yoga practice. Learning about the ten bodies and how you can keep them in balance is central to your journey. Take the time to find out more and expand your mind today.