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inefficient digestion and circulation. As this vicious cycle continues, the body does not have the strength to walk, work or think, and the smallest disturbance causes nervousness and anxiety. In order to remedy this, the pranas need to be charged constantly, so their functioning is optimized and balance is maintained. This is the first objective of pranayama, which charges and replenishes the pranas through the practices. When the pranas are sufficiently charged, they are awakened.
During the practice of prana vidya, one realizes the awakened pranas. The practitioner becomes intensely aware of each individual prana, its movement and psychic perception. However, one can also begin to appreciate the nature of the different pranas by observing and concentrating on the different actions caused by them. Through the realization of the pranas, consciousness is realized. The sensation of prana in a particular area can become the medium of experience of consciousness or the intelligent principle in that region. As the pranas pervade the gross as well as subtle functions, the deeper their realization the subtler is the perception of consciousness. When the realization of the pranas is sufficiently intense, the yogi can guide these forces and transform their qualities as required.
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