Breathe, Ground, Connect: Simple Ways to Replenish Your Prana

Prana is a Sanskrit term that translates to ‘life force’ or ‘vital energy’ and is what keeps the body strong. It is recognised across many cultures and lineages: in Japanese traditions it’s known as ki; for the Chinese it’s qì, and in Hebrew it is called ruah, or ‘the breath of life’.

Having a healthy life force energy ensures we have a strong physical body. Prana gets drained through negative thoughts, unhealthy lifestyle choices, poor diet, and other stressors. However, we can use tools such as breathing, meditation and movement to replenish our life force energy.

How can we access the various types of prana?

When we talk about prana, we might describe sun prana, air prana, ground prana, and water prana – these are the major sources of life force energy.

Sun prana is the energy we are constantly exposed to. Through soaking up the sun’s healthy rays, our bodies produce a fat-soluble vitamin known as vitamin D. This supports not just our metabolic functions but is also essential for bone health.

We can access water prana by drinking water that has been exposed to sunlight. According to ancient traditions, this enhances the molecular structure of the water which offers many health benefits.

Air prana is absorbed by the lungs when we breathe, especially through the practice of deep, slow rhythmic breathing. It is important to practice in a clean environment for optimum benefits.

Ground prana, also known as ‘ground vitality globules’, is absorbed through the soles of the feet. Walking barefoot can help increase the amount of ground prana absorbed by the body, especially when done in a healthy environment. For example, walking barefoot in a park surrounded by thriving trees is ideal. Avoid areas that are polluted or exposed to chemicals.

Overall, being in nature is a great way to top up prana. Trees, especially pine and other large, mature trees, exude healthy prana. One of my favourite activities is to visit the Evolution Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where the fresh air prana and the calming, healing presence of the pine trees are deeply soothing for the body.

Using prana to heal others

Prana can also be projected from one person to another for the purpose of healing through a practice known as Medical Chi Kung (prana is known as ‘chi’ in other traditions). It is the fifth – and highest – level of healing.

Internal Chi Kung is the use of one's internal chi / prana to heal a patient which can be very exhausting and draining for the giver. External Medical Chi Kung uses life force energy from the air and the earth. This does not exhaust the healer.

Master Choa Kok Sui, the founder of Modern Pranic Healing and Arhatic Yoga, has stated that Internal Chi Kung and External Chi Kung can be described as two sides of the same coin.

Meditation to build our life force energy

Meditation is a good way to develop internal chi or prana. The stillness and awareness of breath allows for more air to move in and out of the body, which also helps to increase the mindfulness of the meditator.

Activating the Crown Chakra is also important for increasing one’s chi. The Crown Chakra, known as Bai Hui, translates to “Meeting of a Hundred Paths” and is considered the entry point of spiritual energy. In acupuncture, this point is used to support overall energy balance among other benefits.

The Meditation on Twin Hearts, developed by Master Choa Kok Sui, is one of the fastest ways to activate the Crown Chakra to in turn develop a strong internal chi.

How to increase and maintain healthy prana / chi in daily life

I mentioned before that our life force energy gets exhausted by our thoughts and life choices, and we can replenish it in different ways.

One way is to be mindful of the food we eat – eating fresh and healthy food allows for good internal prana or chi.

We also have to be careful of what kind of thoughts we generate, not just about others and about ourselves. Do we see the glass as half full or half empty?

Most of us get weighed down by the stresses of daily life and work, and one of my favourite tools to share with guests of Four Seasons is a pranic breathing exercise. This simple but powerful practice is a great way to destress and declutter the mind.

Pranic Breathing – try it yourself

• Sit comfortably on a chair. Soles of the feet firmly on the ground. Spine upright. Tongue connected to the roof of the mouth.

• Inhale slowly to the count of seven, allowing your abdomen to gently expand.

• Hold the breath in for one count.

• Exhale slowly to the count of seven.

• Hold the breath out for one count.

  
  

Repeat this breath cycle five to seven times.

Prana, or chi, is essential to our physical vitality, mental clarity, and emotional balance. By consciously connecting with natural sources of prana – such as sunlight, fresh air, grounding practices, nourishing food, meditation, and mindful breathing – we can replenish our vital energy.

Small, consistent practices woven into daily life can help us feel calmer and more resilient, even amid the demands of modern life.

Ultimately, nurturing our prana supports a healthier, more balanced, and more fulfilling life.

Excerpts for this article were taken from Miracles Through Pranic Healing by Master Choa Kok Sui.