It can be easier to reflect first about what is a lack of vitality rather than vitality itself.
Elements of mental and physical wellbeing and life force come to mind. It is not just energy, but also the right energy that comes from a level-headed and balanced sense of purpose with enthusiasm and positive energy. Upon further reflection, I decided that this demands physical fitness, discipline, open mindedness, curiosity, strong mental resilience and perhaps a richness of mind and a certain love of life above all? Take a look at my laughing Buddha picture, it sits on my desk and inspired me.
Recently I heard Daniel Priestley the entrepreneur talk on Steve Bartlett’s podcast about how Vitality is the one essential quality that an investor might inject into a business. Steve Bartlett is a Dragon in the Dragons’ Den show among other roles. In fact, it is the one quality that AI will not replace, as AI will mainly replace functional attributes. Good definition I thought!
He went on describing Vitality as a unique Life Force which, for me, resonated with yoga philosophy. In Yoga philosophy, there are many flows of energy that breathes the body in many directions and embody various and specific qualities. They fall under the generic term of ‘Prana Vayus’ or life-force and the five main ones are Prana Vayu (uplifting life-force), Apana Vayu (grounding energy), Samana Vayu (Inner strength), Udana Vayu (Upward energy), and Vyana Vayu (Expanding Energy)
These breathing energies can be used in many poses to give your practice a new intention, and explore postures in a different way. You have probably used Grounding energy and Uplifting life force in many breath visualisations, these are the most common ones, which are easy to relate to, and work a treat in my children yoga classes too. Children in fact love using breath and hands movements in the quiet part of our class.
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