PRANAYAMA
Breathing, something we all do, all day, every day, but most likely do not pay attention to. Breathing is important because it is the only means to supply the body with oxygen necessary for survival and it is the only means to get rid of waste products and toxins from the body.

Patanjali defines pranayama as “the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath with retention.” By putting into practice specific exercises we are able to regulate the flow of prana-or life force-and ultimately create longevity and vitality for the body, mind, and spirit.

(list of common pranayma exercises – under purple box column)

NĀDA (Music + Mantra) 
Sound is powerful, pervasive, penetrating, and the essence of all energy. We can tap into that essence by listening to uplifting music, chanting mantra, or through meditation and deeply cultivate our ability to listen for the unstruck sound, OM.

Music
Everyone has different tastes when it comes to mixing music and yoga. By listening to music while practicing yoga, we train the ear to listen more closely for the central vibration of OM. Generally speaking, listening to music with a high-level frequency helps us to elevate our own vibrational field, whereas more calming or down-tempo music aids in relaxation.

(Pure Prana Yoga Studio Monthly Playlist – under purple box column)

Mantra

A mantra is a sound-vibration intended to deliver the mind from illusion and material inclinations. Chanting is the process of repeating a mantra and by doing so the mind begins to settle when it becomes scattered. Mantras work through both the physical and subtle bodies to awaken chakras and draw on ambient energy ever-present around us, but not always available.

Resources:
http://www.powerforturnes.com/mantras.html
http://www.astrojyoti.com/mantras.htm

CHAKRAS

The term chakra is Sanskrit for “wheel” or “disk” and refers to one of seven basic energy centers in the body. Each center correlates to a specific area along the spinal column and is uniquely identified by name, color, sound, body function, stage or life, and stage of consciousness.

Chakra One: Muladhara
Location: Base of the spine
Sound: Lam
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation and relates to our survival instincts.
Focus: Ideally, this chakra brings us healthy, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence.

Chakra Two: Svadisthana
Location: Abdomen
Sound: Vwam
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Located in the lower abdomen, sexual organs, and lower back, this chakra is related to emotions and sexuality.
Focus: Ideally, this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change.

Chakra Three: Manipura
Location: Solar Plexus
Sound: Ram
Color: Yellow
Element: Fire
Located in the solar plexus, this chakra rules our personal power, will, ambition, and autonomy as well as our metabolism.
Focus: Ideally, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power.

Chakra Four: Anahata
Location: Heart
Sound: Yam
Color: Green
Located in the heart center it is directly in the middle of the chakra system and is related to love. 
 Focus: Ideally, this chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, and have a deep sense of peace and centeredness.

Chakra Five: Vissudha
Location: Throat
Sound: Ham
Color: Blue
Located at the throat, this chakra is the seat of communication.
Focus: When Vissudha is healthy we communicate clearly and effectively with thoughts, words, and actions.

Chakra Six: Ajna
Location: Third Eye
Sound: Om
Color: Violet
Located at the third eye, this chakra rests in our seat of intuition.
Focus: Ideally, this chakra will allows to see clearly and tap into our innate intuition.

Chakra Seven: Sahasrara
Location: Crown
Sound: none
Color: Purple
Located at the crown of the skull, this charka relates to consciousness as pure awareness, thought, universal identity, and is oriented to self-knowledge.
Focus: When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss.

MEDITATION
Patanjali refers to meditation as being the source of concentration and absorbtion in One’s True Nature.

MUDRAS
Hand postures that stimulate a connection between the Nadis (invisible channels of energy throughout the body), mind, elements, energy and intention, building a bridge to actualization and realization.