We know that all living beings - whether animate or inanimate - require energy to sustain themselves. The more energised something is, the fuller, brighter, and more vibrant it appears. Take a dead leaf, for example. Once the life force has left it, it appears visibly more dull (less bright), dry and brittle (less full), and no longer ‘springs back’  (less vibrant). But the matter and atoms that compose that leaf just seconds before it perished are exactly the same as the ones present now that it is dead. What has changed?

In Yogic philosophy, this change is explained through the concept of prana or life force.

The more prana we have, the more naturally attractive and joyful we become. Take, for example, a flower: the more sunlight it receives, the more abundantly it blooms. Similarly, when we eat high quality foods, we become healthier - and it shows in the brightness of our eyes and the clarity of our skin. When we live in alignment with nature and manage our energies well, prana moves freely through the body, allowing our mental and physical activities to occur smoothly. This makes us happier, healthier, and feel more limitless.

Sources of Prana

There are many ways in which we can receive prana; some of the most accessible sources include:

• The Sun ☀️

• The Earth 🌍

• Food 🥗

• Air 💨

You may have noticed that you feel more energised and joyful in the spring and summer months (seasonal depression is real!). Same goes after going on a hike or a barefoot stroll on the beach. When we directly connect with the earth without shoes, gloves, or other barriers in the way, we can directly receive the energy that emanates from the earth. In new age spirituality you may have come across the term ‘grounding’ and that’s exactly what the yogis would practice many thousands of years ago.

"May the Earth, which bears all people, be our firm support.

May she bestow upon us the ground for strength and clarity."

- Ṛg Veda 1.164

Practical Ways to Ground and Receive Energy

Grounding is simple and accessible. Here are some ideas:

• Barefoot walks in natural settings (the beach, forest, or national park - Govinda Valley, anyone?)

• Gardening with your bare hands

• Sunbathing on the grass

• Meditating in savasana (corpse pose) in the sand

These practices help return us to a natural state, where body, mind, and spirit are in harmony. Tapping into prana doesn’t require drastic lifestyle changes — it’s about returning to the basics and acting with intention.

When we align with these natural sources of energy, we reconnect with our own vitality, allowing life to feel brighter, fuller, and more vibrant.