MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU APRIL 19TH AT 7PM

“When the breath of life becomes short, you become short-tempered. When the breath of life becomes long and deep, you understand who you are."-Yogi Bhajan

What is Prana? What is this Breath of Life? We talk a lot about it in Kundalini Yoga and this week we are working on the PRANIC BODY so I think it's only reasonable to discuss what it is, how to get it, and how to use it. The Eighth Body (since each week we systematically going over the ten bodies, body by body) is the Pranic Body; Prana being "the life force energy that interpenetrates every atom of your form and indeed the universe" (Yogi Bhajan) that is contained in the air we breathe.

"Praana comes through the air. Some people think it is oxygen. That is not true. Oxygen is always there. If you pump the body with oxygen, will a person live forever?"- Yogi Bhajan

You have an infinite supply of energy available to you at any given time and you can get it through your breath. YOUR BREATH. It is yours and yours alone and you have to care for it. If you breath shallowly, you'll feel old, even if you are not technically an "old" person. You are likely to be anxious, nervous, and worry some.

"When the breath is shallow, all problems come in. All this caffeine, nicotine, all these drugs are the problem of the shallow breath".-Yogi Bhajan

In this culture, we have also replaced our pranic consumption with food consumption; trying to get our energy from the food we eat instead of directly from the Infinite Cosmos. That's why there is such an epidemic of sugar and sweet addiction as well as overeating. Most of the overconsumption of sugar and food in general is by shallow breathers.

"If you do not breathe consciously for 11 minutes a day, you lose 40%

of the vitality of life. This 40% you cannot recapture by any medicine or any exercise. But if you do breathe consciously for 11 minutes and make it very long, deep and slow, that can do exactly what no miracle can do, because your life is based on the breath of life." - Yogi Bhajan

Pranic energy is what gives you fearlessness, self-confidence, security, boundless energy, mental mastery. When you are lacking in it, you may feel isolated and alone; maybe even abandoned...not to mention exhausted and worn out. Pranic energy is obtained mainly from breathing consciously. When you breathe in a shallow and unconscious manner, you are cheating yourself out of the most powerful force available to you.

"Praana is the most powerful and most creative thing God ever created because out of Praana came life"- Yogi Bhajan

Naturally, a class on The Pranic Body will give you an ENORMOUS amount of energy and this is what we will be up to this Thursday night. Remember the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th bodies? (The negative, positive, and neutral minds?). Well... the mastery of the Pranic Body will also give you mastery over the MIND. Have you ever heard that in order to change the mind, all you have to do is to change the breath? A simple mechanical breath pattern (pranayam) can transport you from a bad place to bliss.

Bring a blanket, yoga mat, cushion, friend, and anything else you need for yoga, deep breathing exercises, and long GONG meditation/relaxation. Classes are always by donation only ($15 suggested) and begin promptly at 7 although you will not be turned away if you are "late". Stay for Yogi Tea and conversation afterwards...and I hope to see you on April 19th at 7pm. If you have any questions, call 323-365-1109 OR visit the website.

Sat Nam,

Raghubir

PS. MANY OF THESE QUOTES BY YOGI BHAJAN CAME FROM A TERRIFIC BOOK PRAANA, PRAANEE, PRAANAYAM. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. If you are interested in purchasing this book, please visit the Kundalink website for this and other items to assist you in your Kundalini Yoga practice. Put EAGLEROCK in the discount code box and get 10% off applicable items, including this book.