The fundamental Law of Energy
The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created, but must be transferred or converted from one form to another. Like an automobile only runs on gasoline, the human body runs on only one kind of energy: chemical energy. More specifically, the body can use only one specific form of chemical energy, or fuel, to do biological work – adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Please read about the body’s chemical energy systems here. Read to the end as the section on aerobic exercise can be correlated with Prana and Pranayama.
The former is the material system and the latter is the energetic system. As matter and energy can be converted into each other, it is important to study the human body from the perspective of both the material and energetic systems, which can complement each other. The nature of the energetic system is different from that of the material system. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective is based on energy;
Please read The scientific hypothesis of an “energy system” in the human body given to us by the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences. It is a lengthy, academic paper and well-worth your time.
The human body has an electromagnetic field. Humans give off radiation. Humans give off mostly infrared radiation, which is electromagnetic radiation with a frequency lower than visible light.
Please read up on the science of how humans might sense or see electromagnetic or thermodynamic energy.
The aura and the pranic energy system are different. The pranomaya kosha, or sheath of the life force, is one of five human sheaths of being according to the sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda. You can read about the 5 sheaths here. And Prana, which basically means breath, here.
Prana is pretty deep. When we consider life forces, all the physiological, biochemical and then an underlying consciousness which supports them, pranomaya kosha is the system in which the life forces are directed consciously via a vehicle called prana. Prana is generally understood to be as invisible to the eye as air itself and flowing within the body, while energy which the body gives off, are merely derivatives of prana and somewhat visible.
…is a Saiva Tantrika, Gyana Yogi and founder of Uma Maheshwara Yoga & Ayurveda. David has an MA in Semiotics, lives in Japan with his family and works as a coach in L & D, devoting his time to developing science-based tools and programs that help people reach the fullest potential of the human condition.
