For more than three decades, I’ve leaned on a handful of simple but powerful techniques from Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings—practices that have carried me through illness, fatigue, travel, stress, and the ordinary ups and downs of daily life. They’re practical, they’re portable, and they work on the deepest level: the level of life-force. Here are the three I rely on most
1. Energisation Exercises: Drawing Cosmic Energy Into the Body
Paramhansa Yogananda called energy the real source of all healing, and his Energisation Exercises are one of the most direct ways to tap into it. When practiced with the right attitude—concentration, willpower, and faith—they become a method of charging the body with life force.
I’ve practiced them daily for decades. They take only 12–15 minutes, and you can do them almost anywhere. I’ve done them:
- At the back of an airplane
- In a bus seat
- On the side of the road during long drives
- In hotel rooms, parks, and quiet corners of airports
They’re easy to do, no one will notice you’re doing them, and they actually work.
Pro-Tip: If you’re in a crowded space, you can do many of these exercises mentally by strongly willing the energy into each body part without making any physical movements. Learn them, and make them part of your daily wellness routine.
2. Healing Affirmations: Replacing Weakness with Power
The first step to feeling better is changing the conversation in our heads. The next time you feel a bit “under the weather,” try shifting your language. Instead of reinforcing the illness by saying, “I’m sick,” try feeling or visualising light at the medulla oblongata—the entry point for cosmic energy at the base of the brain.
Concentrate there and affirm these words with deep feeling:
Thy cosmic current flows in me, flows in me, Through my medulla, flows in me, flows in me. I think and will the current to flow, In all my body the current to flow, In all my body the current to flow. I am charged, I am cured, I am charged, I am cured. Lightning flash goes through me. I am cured, I am cured.
Even if the body is still recovering, this practice helps the mind remain cheerful and resilient.
3. Conscious Sunbathing: Healing With Sun Rays
We all know a sunny day boosts our mood, but Paramhansa Yogananda took it a step further. He taught that when we’re out in the sun, the sunlight and our life force team up to help us heal.
To get the most out of this, you have to do more than just sit there.
Next time you’re outside, try this: Don’t just feel the heat on your skin—imagine you’re actually soaking up the energy into your body. Feel it recharging you from the inside out.
A Simple Path to Self-Healing
What I love about these three practices is their simplicity. You don’t need a special room or any special gear to do them. All you really need is:
- A few minutes of focused effort
- A willingness to direct energy consciously
- A shift in your language
Over time, they cultivate resilience—physically, mentally, and spiritually. If you’re navigating illness, fatigue, or simply the pressures of daily life, I encourage you to experiment with one of these techniques this week.
I’d love to hear from you—have you ever tried using an affirmation during a physical challenge? Which of these three resonates most with you today?
Kavita is the Minister and Centre Leader for Ananda New Zealand. With 30+ years of experience, she is a dedicated student and teacher of Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings. Kavita is devoted to making the path of self-healing and meditation accessible to all.