According to the yogic point of view, the
body is made up of 5 elements ether, air, fire, water, and
earth. All these are associated with the 5 prana vayus. The five
prana vayus are like the limbs of a man which comprise the one
body.
It is this prana which moves in the body like
energy waves and can be likened to an electromagnetic field
where the energy is in constant motion. Prana is the basis of
life and can be controlled through breath. It is through the
breath that prana and consciousness are essentially linked.
From the time of conception up until 4
months, the foetus survives on mother's prana. After 4 months it
is said the prana enters the foetus and then it's bodily
functions are active and an individual life begins. However the
child becomes independent only when it starts breathing.
When death occurs the physical body dies, the mind dies , but
not the soul. Death is a process of disintegration in which all
the 5 elements go back to their original source- water to water
,earth to earth etc. When prana leaves the
body there is no force to animate it. On death when prana
leaves, the consciousness departs; the magnetic force which held
the body together deteriorates and hence the body.
It is yoga which works on this vital life force 'the prana' to
bring harmony into our lives. Yoga works through the physical
body, by working on the pranic movements.
|