A concise, practical guide to the traditional yogic concept of prāṇa-the profound life force that extends beyond the breath to unite our Physical, mental, and spiritual existence.
The first volume in the Yoga Masters Series, a landmark collection translating the timeless wisdom of traditional yoga for the modern practitioner.
This concise, practical guide to praṇa-the Yogic concept of breath and life force-offers a clear understanding of the ancient wisdom through traditional teachings, modern insights, and practical applications. The significance of breath and the transformative power of breathing practices have been recognized by both ancient Yogis and modern science. Yet, for yogis, prana has traditionally encompassed far more than breath-it's a profound life force that connects the physical, mental, cosmic, and spiritual dimensions of existence. This book delves into that expansive vision of praṇa, restoring its depth and relevance for the modern practitioner, and presenting an understanding of praṇa as breath and beyond.
Yoga educator Prasad Rangnekar draws on the timeless wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads, Tantra, and Ayurveda, bridging ancient Yogic traditions with modern science. He offers insights and practices on how the principles of prāṇa and practices of prāṇāyāma can be applied not only for respiratory health but also for physical vitality, emotional regulation, mental clarity, meditation, and self-realization. "Prasad Rangnekar is a cherished teacher whose work has deeply inspired me over the years. In Prāṇa: The Practice of Body, Mind, and Breath, he offers something increasingly rare in the modern yoga world: a sincere, nuanced, and deeply rooted exploration of yoga's inner teachings that does not reduce prāṇa to mere breathwork or technique but restores it to its rightful place as the living thread connecting body, mind, nature, and consciousness itself. What moved me most was the way Prasad bridges scholarship, lived practice, and direct contemplative insight. He reminds us that yoga is not merely physical exercise but a profound process of refining perception and awakening our participation in the greater field of life. I highly recommend this book to every sincere student and teacher of yoga. It is a valuable resource and a meaningful contribution to the preservation of yoga's deeper wisdom."
-Kino MacGregor, author of Accessible Ashtanga
"Prasad Rangnekar invites us off the riverbank of theory and into the living current of prāṇa, the subtle thread that connects all existence, in this luminous book. Rooted in the insights of the Vedas, Upanishads, and yogic traditions, and written in accessible, contemporary language, his book is an invitation to explore prāṇa beyond breathing, as the subtle force that animates our bodies, shapes our minds, and is the aliveness seen in every aspect of the universe. Prāṇa: The Practice of Body, Mind, and Breath is a doorway into prāṇa for new students and nuanced companion for those with knowledge of yoga. It will expand your understanding of prāṇa beyond techniques and show you how prāṇa is the foundation of our collective, lived experience."
-Eddie Stern, author of One Simple Thing
"This book on prāṇa feels like a gift, aptly, a kind of prasad for our times. It explores prāṇa from the inside out, weaving body, mind, and breath into everyday living rather than leaving it as abstract knowledge. Its strength lies in how naturally it bridges the tangible and intangible. Prāṇa is presented as more than respiration-as a doorway to awareness expressed through every aspect of life. Both scientific and experiential, the book invites us to see ourselves not as limited by thoughts, emotions, or sensations but as expansive beings. In doing so, it points toward greater coherence and conscious participation within ourselves and the larger field of existence that connects all."
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