What is Prana? The essence of wellness as seen by "THE HUNDRED"
- May 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 13
Prana is the "flow of life" that supports the functions of the mind and body.
This article explains the basic concepts of Ayurveda and how to achieve balance.
The idea of circulating prana
Located in a corner of a building in Ginza, Tokyo,
THE HUNDRED WELLNESS SALON.
Located in a historic prime location always bustling with people,
The moment that door opened, you were transported away from the noise and into silence.
A different kind of time, unlike that of the bustling city, begins to flow quietly.
The space, constructed from reclaimed wood and plaster, distances itself from the typical symbols of luxury, instead highlighting the aged texture and tranquility inherent in the materials themselves. The interior was designed by architect Fumihiko Sano. The aim here is not decorative richness, but rather to embody "Eastern wisdom" in a tangible form.
This space is not merely a backdrop; it was designed as a device to strip away the noise of the outside world and draw the body's sensations inward.
Light, temperature, material density, and silence. When these are integrated, the flow of prana (life force) is gently regulated, and inner intelligence is reawakened.
The treatments performed at THE HUNDRED are inseparable from the design of this space. Even before physical contact is made, the environment itself facilitates the introduction to the tuning process.
Proven treatments based on the lineage of Ayurveda, a traditional medical system.
What is happening here is a form of wellness that stems from a philosophy distinct from so-called relaxation.
The method supervised by Nirmal Raj Gyawali is rooted in the Ayurvedic institution "Arogya Ashram" in Kathmandu, Nepal, and in the lineage of his grandfather, Vaidya Kashi Raj Upadhyai. Its essence lies not in the reproduction of classical teachings, but in their reconstruction as wisdom that functions in the modern age.
This method synchronizes the body and mind, disrupted by the hectic pace of urban life, with the rhythms of nature. It is not only healing, but also a sophisticated methodology for improving one's condition, and has been established as a tuning method that modern people should adopt.
Prana, the intelligence of the body
In Ayurveda, life is understood through the concept of "prana." It is not simply energy, but rather the "intelligence of the body" that unconsciously governs breathing, digestion, and thought—the very intelligence technology that humans are born with.
The natural digestion of food and the autonomous continuation of breathing are all made possible by the workings of prana.
This prana, in the form of five streams called "pancha vayu," supports all movements of the body and mind.
Prana Vayu, which governs the head and breathing,
Apana Vayu, who is responsible for elimination and stabilization.
Samana Vayu, who is in charge of digestion and integration,
Udana Vayu, the power of expression and ascension
And then the Vyana Vayu flows throughout the entire body.
When these things are functioning correctly, one can be in a natural flow. You will experience a feeling of lightness in your body, clarity of thought, stable emotions, and a quiet, inexplicable joy rising with deep sleep.
"Not working properly" doesn't mean something is broken.
This is nothing more than a disruption of the flow.
Balancing Prana
THE HUNDRED's treatments aim to rearrange these five Vayu flows.
Warm herbal oils, touch, the rhythm of breathing, the arrangement of the space.
They are all designed to work on the deeper "flows" at the core of things.
Downward strokes stabilize the apana, circular movements regulate the samana, and a flow that envelops the entire body regulates the circulation of the vyana. What's important is which direction, which rhythm, and which vayu you work on. That choice is the essence of the treatment.
Through this precise approach, the nervous system calms down, and the body regains its natural order. The therapist facilitates a state in which prana begins to regulate itself.
THE HUNDRED's treatments are based on the "Out-to-In" approach, which uses external interventions to access the flow of prana within the body.
However, the therapist isn't actually "healing" anything here. What they do is remove the factors that are hindering the weakened or disrupted flow of prana.
Once that blockage is removed, the Pancha Vayu, which a person inherently possesses, begins to function in a balanced way.
And then the body returns to its natural state, which is its own power.
The temperature of the oil, the sense of touch, the light, the sound, the scent—all of these sensations are felt during the treatment.
All of these things affect your inner breath, rhythm, and energy pathways.
The result is not simply relaxation.
Quietness of thought, emotional stability, and reconnection with bodily sensations.
In other words, it is the restoration of internal order.
This process is why THE HUNDRED defines their treatments as "Prana Healing."
By not only understanding but also experiencing, you can feel the physical changes more deeply.
Click here for information on treatments that actually regulate the flow of prana.
Wellness beyond healing
Many forms of wellness exist in modern society. While most of them focus on the comfort or temporary relief of physical parts, THE HUNDRED offers an approach that is on a different level.
Our goal here goes beyond mere healing and relaxation.
Our treatments aim to re-tune the body not as a physical object, but as an intelligent system with flow and rhythm, based on the principles of nature.
To restore the natural flow of life that humans inherently possess.
That is precisely what THE HUNDRED considers to be the essence of wellness.
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