Prana - Tejas - Ojas

Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences first mentioned in the Vedas (the first documents of India/Hinduism) around 3500 BC. Both modalities are connected by sharing the same philosophy, Sankhya, which understands existence by the five elements found in the universe. 

In Ayurveda, the five elements are understood in the body by the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.  Their subtle counterparts are called Prana, Tejas, and Ojas, also understood as the three vital essences that promote health, creativity, and well-being and support deeper yogic and meditational practices.

The main rule of Ayurvedic treatments is to prevent the doshas from increasing to the point of excess and imbalance where they can cause disease, especially for the predominant dosha, so any Ayurvedic programs apply opposite actions with lifestyle practices, including diet, herbs, exercise, and meditation that counter doshic proclivities.

Prana- (Primal Life Force): the subtle energy of air, the master force of intelligence, and all psychophysical functions.  It is responsible for coordinating breath, senses, and the mind. Internally, it governs the harmonization of all higher states of consciousness.  Increased Prana is necessary to provide enthusiasm, creativity, and adaptability for the spiritual path.

Tejas- (Inner Radiance): The subtle energy of fire radiates vitality and digests physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impressions, thoughts, and information. Increased Tejas provides courage, fearlessness, and insight to guide us along the path without which we can be indecisive in what we do.

Ojas- (Primal Vigor, Life Sap), the subtle energy of water, stored as our vital reserve, is the basis for physical and mental endurance and rejuvenation. It is responsible for nourishing and grounding the development of all higher faculties.  Increased Ojas are necessary for peace, confidence, patience, steadiness, and calm.

If these factors are sufficient, our spiritual growth is expanded, bringing positive health in both body and mind. It also helps to treat all diseases, particularly of a chronic nature, including promoting rejuvenation.

Below are explanations of how these energies affect the systems of the body:

Digestive

Prana is the life force found in foods we consume. Eating with the seasons ensures we are receiving the most healthful foods. Tejas is connected to digestion and transformation from the assimilation process that feeds the body’s tissues. Ojas is the essence of what we ingest, ensuring health and vitality.

Reproduction

Prana is the life-creating energy found in reproductive fluid. Tejas activates reproductive fluid, transforming it into heat, passion, and willpower, giving us bravery and daring. Ojas is the creative power that nourishes all bodily tissues, particularly nerve tissue.

Immunity

Pranas energy manifests when dealing with illness and sustains all long-term healing processes. When activated, Tejas burns and destroys toxins and can overcome diseases and imbalances. Ojas defends the body against external pathogens, providing endurance, resistance, and strength to ward off diseases.

Nervous System and Nadis

The nervous system governs all bodily systems.  Prana regulates the discharge and coordination of nerve impulses related to Vata. Tejas provides an understanding of perception and feeling, and Ojas gives endurance, stability, and lubrication to the nerve channels and system.

Breath

Prana is one of the five breaths in the body and is the primary energy and movement of the breath. Tejas is the heat produced by the breath, and Ojas is the more profound energy absorbed through the breath and then stores energy for needed reserve.

Senses

Prana allows for the equilibrium and coordination of sensory impulses. Tejas is responsible for the acuity of sensory function and our ability to digest sensory impressions. It is also responsible for the stability of the senses and their lubrication.

Creativity

Prana is the driving force of creative actions and thought movement. Tejas creates vision and the ability to see truth and reality, and Ojas is our storehouse of creative energy.

Mind and Consciousness

Prana is the force behind the mind, responsible for movement, responsiveness, and perception. Tejas brings clarity and digests impressions, ideas, and emotions, and Ojas is the life sap, which brings groundedness.