Life is a perpetual stream of energy, constantly in motion, shaping our experiences and journeys. Whether joyful or challenging, every event we encounter is made of energy. It's not about confinement but rather about allowing it to move freely. As we say yes to what unfolds before us, we ride the current of life. And when faced with difficulties, we can allow the pain to pass through us rather than resisting its flow.

Life is energy

In Vedic philosophy, it's referred to as Prana, the life force. Prana is an unseen energy, that circulates both within us and around us. Prana is present in the Earth's continuous rotation, the seasons' cycle, the growth of plants, the nutrients in the food we eat, the water we drink, the vitality of animals, and the very essence of our bodies - from our heartbeat and breath to our thoughts.

As we develop our awareness of Prana, its flow increases, and so does our health and consciousness.

Life is movement

Life is always dynamic. Even in what appears to be the lifelessness of city concrete, there's vitality. Have you ever marveled at a blade of grass pushing through the pavement after rainfall? 

Life persistently finds a way, often in the most unexpected corners. It always comes from spaces infused with Prana. During our sleep, though it may seem like a time of stillness, our bodies continue to breathe, our hearts keep beating, and we undergo rejuvenation.

And yet sometimes we might think that we are stuck

When we perceive ourselves as stuck, we essentially stop the natural flow of life. It happens when we cling to past experiences, emotions, or mindsets that no longer serve us, obstructing the flow of Prana. However, this sense of being stuck is merely a trick of the mind because Prana always seeks an outlet, otherwise, life itself would cease to exist.

Some years ago, I began experiencing breathing difficulties despite being in good health and without any apparent injury. I felt breathless when climbing stairs or even during my pranayama practice. Concerned, I first addressed this with my Ayurveda teacher before consulting a doctor. During our conversation, we talked about recent events in my life and I realized that I had been suppressing the grief of losing my mother four months earlier. I had avoided facing the pain, convincing myself that everything was fine. Unknowingly, I was blocking the energy in my lungs, a common manifestation of unresolved grief. I was unconsciously stifling Prana. The discomfort in my lungs was the energy I feared to confront because of its painful nature. However, as I gradually allowed myself to feel the pain, I sensed the flow of life returning to my lungs. Not only did my breathing improve, but the tightness in my heart and mind also dissolved, replaced by feelings of love.

Increase the stream of life

Feeling stuck in life often arises from various factors such as past trauma, unprocessed emotions, or a limited state of being. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we interrupt the flow of Prana. This blockage can manifest on multiple levels, affecting us physically—like my struggle to breathe due to denying pain—or mentally, as fear freezing any action we wish to take. Depression and anxiety are also consequences of this restriction of Prana.

So, when we sense stagnation in our bodies and minds, it's crucial to turn our attention to what is moving within us. Where do we detect Prana's presence? It might reveal itself through the rhythm of our breath, the motion of our bodies as we walk, or the swaying as we sing or play music. Then we just follow this stream of prana to increase.

In my workshops on Emotional Balance, I'm continually inspired by the stories participants share. These workshops serve as a platform to mobilize Prana. Through movement, breathwork, meditation, and introspection, we invite the stream of life to surge until it permeates every aspect of our being.

I recall one long-time student who approached me after class to share a profound insight and its positive aftermath. During the session, she sensed energy flowing around her heart center, encountering a "knot" therein. As she questioned the source of this knot, a memory from her teenage years unexpectedly resurfaced: her parents' divorce, which left her feeling abandoned and unloved. Despite years passing, this unresolved pain lingered in her unconscious mind. However, during the workshop, as she actively moved Prana throughout her being, she had a revelation. She realized that her father didn't abandon her; rather, he chose not to live with her mother—a distinction that brought about a profound shift. With this newfound understanding, she experienced a release of repressed emotions and a flood of love in her heart center. This healing journey unfolded as she allowed Prana to dissolve the blocked energy, liberating her from an enduring wound.

Our journey through life often encounters moments of stagnation and perceived limitations, stemming from past traumas, unprocessed emotions, or a constricted state of being. However, at the heart of our existence lies Prana, the life force that flows ceaselessly within and around us. By acknowledging and harnessing this vital energy, we have the power to dissolve blockages, release unresolved wounds, and cultivate a profound sense of healing and transformation.

Ultimately, embracing the flow of life is not just a means to overcome obstacles but a pathway to living authentically and expansively, to say Yes to a new project, to a new chapter in our life, and to step out of our comfort zone. It is a reminder that even in challenging moments, the pulse of life continues to beat within us, we just have to follow what is moving within. It can simply start by paying attention to our breath or heartbeat.