The breath-visualization exercise opposite focuses your awareness on the headquarters of the prana energy in your body. This is found at the “third eye” in the middle of your forehead. The “third eye” is another name for ajna chakra (see page 25), the energy centre that manages your senses, your conscious and unconscious minds and your sense of self.
From this control centre at your brow, the propulsive energy of prana moves inward and downward to the bottom of your lungs, from where it acts as the main on-off switch that stimulates all your other subtle energies into action. Try to keep in mind the idea of inward-moving energy as you practise the exercise, opposite. You might like to picture prana as a welcoming figure within you, who opens a door and allows energy to enter every time you breathe in air, take a bite of food, listen to an idea or have a drink of water. Feel reassured that she will whisk the incoming energy to the proper processing area within your body, whether your lungs, stomach or mind, ready to be used appropriately.
You can practise the Prana Breathing exercise, opposite, anywhere and at any time, but it is particularly effective when you feel depleted of energy and would like to recharge your batteries. For a variation, combine this exercise with Alternate Nostril Breathing (see page 55).
Have you ever had to tell someone something that was disagreeable, but necessary? Think of how you instinctively prepared yourself to do it. You probably took a deep breath, held it for a moment and then, with a deep sigh, thought, “OK, let me get this over with.” If so, you were unconsciously harnessing prana. By holding your breath in this way, you efficiently extracted an extra “jolt” of energy that helped you to accomplish your unpleasant task.
Start by sitting comfortably, preferably with your legs crossed (see pages 35–7). Draw your shoulder blades down toward your waist to lift your breastbone and allow your ribcage to move freely as you breathe.
1 Sit with your back straight. Gently seal your lips and breathe through your nose. Bring your palms together and raise them over your head.
2 Inhale deeply through your nose, draw in as much air as possible. Open your eyes wide, bulge them out, and imagine drawing in light. Visualize yourself drawing in energy through your ears, your face and the top of your head.
3 When your lungs are full, hold your breath. Close your eyes and bring your awareness to the point between your eyebrows. Visualize the energy you inhaled forming a sphere of bright, concentrated light at the centre of your forehead. It may give off sparks or even lightning flashes. Retain your breath for as long as is comfortable.
4 As you exhale, watch the light dissolve into a sparkling shower of energy that invigorates you. Start with one breath and gradually build up to 10.