Prana is said to be responsible for all those essential, automatic functions that keep us alive and well: our heartbeat, our breath, blood pressure, digestion, and more. According to yogic philosophy, it's this subtle energy that orchestrates these vital processes.

In the renowned Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, which outlines the 8-Limb Path of Yoga, Pranayama holds a significant place as the fourth limb. Pranayama isn't just regular breathing; it's a deliberate practice involving specific breathing exercises, often including breath retention.

We all have natural tendencies, preferences, and patterns – it's simply human nature. These tendencies, often called samskaras in yoga philosophy, are in part related to our individual constitutions called doshas in Ayurveda, they become deeply ingrained habits over time. These habits are also what create our sense of “comfort zone”, which can trap us into repeating behaviours to our own detriment. When it comes to our yoga practice, these ingrained patterns and comfort zones can sometimes lead us to unintentionally reinforce existing imbalances, impeding our progress towards a deeper sense of clarity and holistic wellbeing.

Reflecting on Samskaras: Patterns of Suffering and Achieving Mental Health

Thanks to my teacher, @svasthayoga, I've been deeply reflecting on the concept of Samskaras – Sanskrit for patterns or habits. These deeply ingrained patterns can lead us towards either greater ease or increased suffering.