Prana
From SkepticWiki
[edit] Definition
In Hindu tradition, prana is the life force, equivalent to the concept of chi in Chinese traditional medicine. Centers of prana in the body are known as chakras.
[edit] Discussion
As with chi, the idea that prana and chakras exist has not been validated by modern physiology and medicine.
Visualizing prana and chakras may be useful as a meditative technique. However, this does not validate the concepts. To take an analogy, many relaxation exercises involve visualizing a babbling brook or some such tranquil scene, but the effectiveness of such exercises doesn't actually prove that one is sitting by a brook. In the same way meditative exercises involving prana may have positive psychological or even physiological consequences without necessarily validating the concept of prana.
