After the physical body, we now move on to the next subtler body, the so-called pranic body.

The pranic body, which is equivalent to the 'Pranamaya Kosha' in the Pancha Kosha system, is the first body that is normally no longer visible unless one has already opened oneself up to the ability of clairvoyance.

It is roughly the same size and shape as the physical body and is the carrier of the creative forces of the physical body, as well as the vital life force. It serves as a mediator of information and energies from higher bodies to the physical body and vice versa. If it is weakened, this exchange of information and energy can be disrupted.

The pranic body absorbs prana from the air we breathe, from food, and from the sun through the Solar Plexus Chakra. Excess energy is radiated out again via the chakras and pores. This radiated energy forms a kind of protective coat around the physical body, preventing pathogens from penetrating. Negative thoughts and emotions, as well as an unhealthy lifestyle, can consume the pranic energy, which can then lead to gaps in this natural protective coat. The pranic body is formed anew with each human rebirth and dissolves again after physical death (in contrast to the emotional, mental, and causal bodies).

Ether (in Sanskrit: Akasha) is the subtlest of the 5 elements (the basic building blocks of the universe) and is associated with the fifth chakra (Throat Chakra). It is often compared to concepts such as spacetime in modern physics. Ether contains prana as one of its main components but also stands for the immaterial, subtle medium that per-meates and connects all things in the universe and that contains many components.

Pranayama and Connected Breathing

Pranayama (breathing exercises) is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga and serves, among other things, to gain control over our breathing. Part of the energy that is supplied to the pranic body comes from the lifeforce energy that is within the air that we breathe – and that is exactly what we are working with in the following exercise.

After having 'opened' the body with the Sun Salutation and the asanas in the previous exercises, we will now use this exercise to clear the energy channels and release blockages (or bring them further to the surface) in the pranic body.

We will also become more aware of our pranic body, gain more mastery over our breathing, and stimulate and strengthen all internal organs and many muscles in the upper body. Furthermore, this breathing exercise acts like a 'reset' of our nervous system, and mental and emotional remnants that are in our body system can dissolve.

In the following exercise, we work with connected breathing. We do not pause between inhaling and exhaling, or between exhaling and inhaling, but breathe in and out continuously. Like meditation and asanas, connected breathing originally comes from Eastern teachings and first became known in the West primarily through Leonard Orr's 'Rebirthing'. Recently, the connected breathing technique has become more well-known, particularly through Wim Hof.

There are many different variations and names for breathing techniques that work with this connected breathing. They vary somewhat in the way they are performed but are based on the same breathing technique. I would like to introduce you to one of these exercises as an exercise for the pranic body – we will work with the version taught by Wim Hof.

Pranayama, or the importance of breathing, is covered in the Yoga Sutras in Sutras 2.49-2.53 and in Sutra 1.34.. An important reason why pranayama is practiced, among other things, is given in Sutra 2.53:

"And the mind is prepared for alignment."

Important Basic Terms

1. Vayus

There are 5 vayus (=movements of prana in the body; energy flows) that are located in different areas of the body and have different functions:

1. Prana Vayu: The energy behind breathing.

Prana Vayu can be harmonized and sublimated primarily through pranayama exercises. You can find some of them in the Pranayama Exercise Series.

2. Udana Vayu: The energy behind speaking.

Udana Vayu is located in the throat and can be sublimated, for example, when you remain silent for a while, through meditation and communication with God or the Higher Self.

3. Samana Vayu: The energy behind digestion.

Samana Vayu has to do with the digestive fire and with the transformation of food and emotions. It is important to harmonize this energy, and we do this, among other things, through the asanas of the FBY Basic Exercise Series and additionally through, for example, Kapalabhati in the Pranayama Exercise Series.

4. Vyana Vayu: The energy behind movement.

Vyana Vayu can also be harmonized and sublimated through asanas.

5. Apana Vayu: The energy behind excretion, menstruation, sexuality, and birth.

Apana Vayu is the prana that flows downwards from the navel to the Root Chakra. This energy can be sublimated into so-called 'Ojas' (spiritual energy) through Mula Bandha (see section 'Bandhas') and also through tantric practices by directing it into the main energy channel in the spine and then to higher chakras. This practice also increases the flow of energy, and we can use the sublimated Apana Vayu to expand our consciousness.

2. Bandhas

Bandha means 'lock' and refers to stopping the flow of energy outwards in order to direct it inwards. The ancient yogis recognized that there are subtle energy channels in the body and that energy tends to flow outwards in certain parts of the body.

By practicing bandhas, you direct energy inwards. When you dissolve the respective bandha again, it is like if you open the floodgates of a dam – the energy that was previously built up then shoots through our energy system in a short, strong surge and thereby cleanses it. All of the following bandhas are suitable for awakening the Kundalini energy.

There are three main bandhas:

1. Mula Bandha – the Root Lock

Mula Bandha helps with constipation, diarrhea, incontinence, and impotence, among other things.

Instructions:
We contract the muscles in the area of the perineum and thereby prevent Apana Vayu from flowing out of the body. Through this contraction we can then direct Apana Vayu into the 'Sushumna' – the main energy channel in the spine.

2. Uddiyana Bandha – the Abdominal Lock

This bandha activates the Solar Plexus Chakra, has a positive effect on the health of the abdominal organs, and supports healthy digestion. Uddiyana Bandha opens the area around the diaphragm and helps to release emotions that have accumulated in this area. The Abdominal Lock should only be practiced on an empty stomach.

Contraindications: This bandha should not be practiced if you are pregnant, during your period, or if you have serious heart problems.

Instructions:
1. Exhale completely and hold the air out.
2. Then use the muscles of the abdominal area to pull the stomach up and back towards the spine.

3. Jalandhara Bandha – the Throat Lock

This bandha prevents the energy from flowing upwards.

Instructions:
You bring the chin a little towards the chest and contract the muscles of the throat. In addition, you put the tongue to the base of the upper incisors to close the descending energy circuit that runs in this area.

Maha Bandha – the Complete Lock

With Maha Bandha, you practice all three bandhas at the same time. This lock harmonizes the energies in the body, opens the subtle spine, and activates the chakras.

3. Kumbhakas

In Pranayama, Kumbhaka is the term for holding the breath. There are basically three types:

1. Bahya Kumbhaka: The retention of breath after complete exhalation.

2. Antara Kumbhaka: The retention of breath after complete inhalation.

3. Kevala Kumbhaka: (Almost complete) cessation of breathing that occurs automatically. Kevala Kumbhaka is achieved through advanced practice. Through Kevala Kumbhaka, one achieves complete control of the mind, illnesses are cured, and the Kundalini awakens.

What Happens in Your Body During the Following Pranayama Exercise?

From a purely chemical point of view, the oxygen content in the blood increases from around 95% to up to 99%, and the carbon dioxide content is reduced. The pH value also increases, and the blood becomes more alkaline. You also supply the body with more prana, which causes energetic blockages to be released.

The immune system is strengthened, and the lymphatic system is cleansed. This breathing exercise also helps with inflammation, chronic pain, stress, cardiovascular disease, and depression, among other things.

Contraindications:

1. This breathing exercise should not be done, or only gently (depending on the severity of the illness) if you have certain conditions such as:
* high blood pressure
* heart disease
* severe lung problems

2. This breathing exercise should not be done if you have:
* anxiety
* recent panic attacks
* post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
* if you are pregnant
* in situations where it would be dangerous if you fainted

Always listen to your body and don't force anything!

Instructions for Strong Yogic Breathing

1. You can do this breathing exercise either seated or while lying down. If you do it seated, keep your spine straight and tilt your chin slightly towards your chest. If possible, make sure you don't eat anything for a while (about two hours) before doing this exercise.

2. Connected breathing:
Actively breathe in firmly and deeply into your stomach, chest, and shoulders, and then passively let the air flow out of your lungs again – don't force the exhalation!

Breathe in again already before all the air has flowed out of your lungs. Inhaling and exhaling should be done through your mouth. If you want to make the exercise less intense, you can alternatively breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Connect this inhalation and exhalation - so don't make a break in between.

The optimal number of breaths per round can vary from individual to individual. With Wim Hof breathing, you take 30 breaths per round, which you can use as a guideline.

Note: In extreme cases, you may even briefly faint during this exercise, so please don't overdo it. This is extremely rare, but I still wanted to mention it.

3. After the last breath of each round, only breathe out about half of the air and then remain without breathing until the impulse to breathe comes again. Then just enjoy this state of complete energetic fullness and peace and try not to lose yourself in your thoughts.

4. When you want to breathe in again, breathe out the air that you still have in your lungs, take a deep breath, and hold your breath for about 10 seconds. For an additional effect, you can now do the Root and Throat Lock for the time you hold your breath and try to direct Apana Vayu into the Sushumna.

Picture Bandha

5. Then, if you want, take a few normal breaths before starting the next round.

6. If possible, do three rounds and increase the number of breaths per round if you want. For example, from 25 in the first round to 30 in the second, and then 35 in the last.

After you have done the exercise, briefly feel how your body and energy feel!

What Does Science Say About it?

The Ether Field

(from a lecture of Gregg Braden)

In 1887, the so-called Michelson-Morley experiment was conducted to find out whether the ether field existed or not. The experiment seemed to say that the ether field does not exist. Because of this experiment, it has been believed since 1887 that the ether field does not exist. In 1986, this experiment was repeated by the American Air Force with better equipment, and now it has been proven that the ether field does exist! That changes everything for scientists, because all the textbooks say that the field doesn't exist.

But Why Don't We Know About it?

This should normally be on the front page of every major newspaper and on all the news channels on TV! The reason for this is that entire careers are based on the field not being there, and that's why it's kept secret from the public.

Video: The Ether Field Exists, and We have Proof

Pranayama:

For studies regarding pranayama, I would like to refer again to the Yoga Vidya website (you will need your browser's internal translator, a translation add-on, or e.g., Google Translate, as the site is in German): Scientific studies pranayama

In the next chapter we will now discuss the... Emotional Body