Prana

What is prana?

Is it just breath? A metaphor for spirit? A biological energy? Or something more?

In Prana: One Breath, Many Worlds, Bernie Clark—author of the bestselling The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga—invites readers on a journey through ancient myths, spiritual practices, and cutting-edge science in search of one of yoga’s most mysterious and foundational ideas: prana. Blending historical scholarship with personal experience, Clark weaves a tapestry of stories that explore prana as fire, wind, water, and breath—moving from shamanic roots to temple rituals, from the Upanishads to Theosophy, from early Greek philosophy to modern yoga retreats.

Combining rigorous research with captivating storytelling, the book offers:

A deep dive into the spiritual and scientific roots of breath across cultures

Personal vignettes and retreat experiences that ground the philosophy in lived practice

Insightful comparisons of Eastern and Western views of soul, spirit, and vitality

A mythological exploration of symbols like serpents, trees, water, and the stars

Part memoir, part history, part philosophical reflection, Prana offers an illuminating exploration of the life force that animates us all. Whether you are a yoga teacher, student, philosopher, or simply a seeker of deeper truths, this book will expand your understanding—and your breath.