Prana is so much more than the breath we take in and out. In this conversation, I’m delighted to welcome Prasad Rangnekar back to Let’s Talk Yoga to discuss his new book, Prana: The Practice of Body, Mind, and Breath. We explore why understanding prana requires more than scientific explanations or breathing techniques, and why cultural context and lived experience matter so much. Prasad introduces concepts like the etic and emic approaches to learning, the relationship between the individual and the universe through Pinda Brahmanda Siddhanta, and the traditional Indian worldview that shapes how we understand yoga, space, time, and causation.
We also talk about how to develop a deeper relationship with prana through everyday experiences, nourishing relationships, food, water, sound, and a greater awareness of aliveness. Prasad explains Chitta Shuddhi, the refinement of the mind, and how cultivating prana can support this process. We explore Prana Dharana, the relationship between prana and apana, and why traditional yoga practices are about much more than muscles and anatomy. Most importantly, Prasad shares a simple place to begin: noticing what makes us feel more alive, both within ourselves and in the world around us.
Prasad Rangnekar, E-RYT500, is a Yoga Educator from India who teaches in over 15 countries for the past 26 years. Prasad’s Yoga education started at the age of 9, and over the last 36 years, he has been studying Yoga traditionally, in a lineage, as well as academically, at a university. Prasad regards meditative silence as his greatest teacher and goes into 3 month-long silence retreats every year.
Prasad is associated with the Natha Lineage, the founding lineage of Hatha Yoga, over the last 16 years and has stayed and studied with Natha Yoga Masters in India and Nepal.