5 Prana Vayus in Yoga (Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana & Vyana)

Generally, the elemental entity that distinguishes a dwelling from an inanimate object is named the prana.

Nonetheless, for the sake of straightforward understanding typically prana is named to the ‘breath’ or the ‘air we inhale’. However for a yogi, there’s way more in understanding prana other than relating it with the breath.

Certainly yogis take into account respiration similar to a software to regulate, increase or redirect prana accordingly. This science of enlargement or controlling of Prana is named Pranayama.

What’s Prana?

Based on the yoga custom, Prana is the vitality within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it’s chargeable for the LIFE, Prana is named the “important life pressure” or “important vitality” for a dwelling being.

When the prana is in a gentle circulation, solely then the voluntary and involuntary capabilities of the physique grow to be potential. For instance, the respiration, digestion and coronary heart beating, strolling, speaking, considering; all of the actions are ruled by the prana. Furthermore, Prana isn’t solely about life or regulating bodily capabilities in a dwelling being, it additionally exists in inanimate objects.

For a broad image of Prana, Vedic scriptures outlined Prana as the ability of the supreme self that manifests the whole lot within the universe and permeates all created issues.

The literal That means of Prana

In Sanskrit ‘Prana’ is spelled as ‘Praan‘ and its energy is named ‘Praan shakti‘.

The Sanskrit time period ‘Praan‘ is derived from the prefix ‘Pra‘ means ‘brings forth‘ and root ‘an’ means ‘motion‘. Prana means the pressure “which brings forth the motion”. And Prana Shakti is all concerning the manifestation which Prana brings; like life, matter, ideas, and many others. It’s the transformative pressure that converts vitality into matter and matter into vitality.

The pressure which makes us in a position to breathe, provides us a capability to suppose, lets us transfer physique limbs freely is the pressure of Prana. Furthermore, each different motion that’s taking place in all of the objects of this universe is the pressure of Prana. This is the reason Prana is named the common pressure that sums up the whole of all forces within the universe.

To know the that means of prana, Swami Vivekananda explains Prana superbly in his work . Based on him;

In the beginning of creation, there’s solely this Akasha (house). However by the ability of Prana, Akasha (house) manufactured into this universe.

Swami Vivekananda

Supply of Prana

The three principal sources of prana are the solar, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources referred to as common prana and we get it in several types like meals, air, water, and daylight. Nonetheless, it’s mentioned, holy locations, expertise, contemplation on the supreme self additionally improve the Prana degree of the physique.

Whether or not you’re looking by eyes, respiration by the nostril, sensing by the pores and skin, or in a position to consider an occasion – Prana is working behind each delicate mechanism of the physique .

Based on Hindu philosophy, in our physique, Prana is claimed to the companion of Atman, the soul. Prana lies with the soul on the coronary heart heart. The soul is the silent experiencer that perceives the bodily world by the working of Prana; it enters and leaves the physique with the Prana.

Earlier than the bodily physique or thoughts begins to develop in an embryo within the mom’s womb, firstly soul comes into it and with the soul, Prana comes. Then pranic pressure (prana-shakti) combines the 5 parts to create the thoughts, senses, and the physique. On this means, prana is superior to the physique & thoughts, and getting management of Prana provides one management over the thoughts as properly.

Additionally Learn: Panch Tatva: 5 Parts of Physique 

As talked about in a examine from “Institute for Consciousness Analysis” , researchers mentioned;

Our thoughts is ready to suppose, focus, meditate, recite a mantra, or soften in devotion solely with the assistance of ‘prana-shakti’, in the identical means because the Energy to create the universe resting in Shiva is solely the end result of his Shakti.

How Prana Flows?

Our physique is a fancy system of organs and with a view to ensure its correct functioning, the fixed circulation of prana is essential.

Prana flows within the physique by delicate vitality channels which in yogic terminology referred to as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in your complete physique in such a means that each one the minor Nadis are linked from the three principal Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 principal nadis lies within the delicate physique alongside the spinal wire.

Additionally Learn: The Three Fundamental Nadis: Ida, Pingala, Sushumna

The place Ida and Pingala Nadi crisscross one another, at these factors it meets with Sushumna Nadi, the central vitality channel. And this fashion, this level of cross-section types vitality facilities i.e. 7 chakras.

When Prana flows by Nadis, then it’s the work of Chakras to distribute it to different minor Nadis which can be unfold over the entire physique. As quickly as a chakra is totally stuffed up with Prana, it begins directing prana shakti in all potential instructions by revolving on its axis. It’s referred to as a balanced chakra when Prana is flowing by it in a balanced method.

Prana flows within the type of Vayus

Yogis when noticed the capabilities, depth, and route of flowing Prana within the Nadis, they discovered within the totally different area of the physique, Prana act in a different way. It’s not the identical all through your complete physique. For instance, in some areas, the route of circulation of Prana is upward (in chest, throat) whereas in different areas, it strikes downwards.

As a way to perceive Prana extra precisely, yogis divided Prana into 5 vayus.

What are Vayus?

The motion or the circulation of prana is named the Vayu. Vayu actually interprets as ‘Wind’. Just like the wind is a pressure behind transferring objects, Prana takes motion within the physique within the type of Vayu.

Primarily based on the circulation of Prana in a specific area of the physique, Prana might be divided into 5 vayus named Prana Vayu, Apana Vayu, Samana Vayu, Udana Vayu, and Vyana Vayu. These 5 are the most important division of ‘Prana’ combinedly referred to as the Pancha Pranas.

1. Prana Vayu

The primary and most vital sort of Prana is prana vayu (To tell apart Prana from prana vayu, Prana is named Mahaprana). The circulation of this vayu usually occurs inwardly and upward route.

On the bodily degree, prana vayu is chargeable for the working of the respiratory system together with the pumping of the center, major inhalation-exhalation course of. Apart from this, it additionally helps in swallowing and regurgitation meals. It balances some physiological & psychological actions like eye-concentration, feelings & psychological consistency.

The guts chakra is claimed the principle seat of this vayu. Subsequently imbalance within the amount or a blockage in prana vayu can result in melancholy, low-feeling & heart-related issues.

Additionally learn: Prana mudra to steadiness prana vayu

Poses To Stability Prana Vayu

To steadiness the prana vayu one can follow the Asana by which the chest area is concerned majorly. Some examples of asana to steadiness prana vayu, are standing Cobra, bridge pose, bow pose & camel pose.

2. Apana Vayu

Apana Vayu flows in the wrong way of prana vayu, i.e., within the downward route. Typically, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the upper vitality centres and prohibit its pointless circulation out of the physique. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.

The principle perform of Apana Vayu is the elimination of waste as feces, fuel, and urine. On the time of childbirth, Apana Vayu helps to create a easy passageway for supply. Apart from this, Apana Vayu can also be chargeable for sexual stimulation, ejaculation & month-to-month menstrual cycle for ladies.

Main working space of apana vayu is core of the pelvic ground and it regulates the organs that lies in between navel to the perineum like urinary system, reproductive system, kidneys & the massive gut. An imbalance in Apana vayu can result in diabetes, abdomen associated issues from poor elimination to laziness, tiredness, itching, melancholy and negativity.

Additionally learn: Apana vayu mudra for coronary heart

Poses To Stability Apana Vayu

To steadiness apana vayu, one ought to concentrate on the poses which domesticate consciousness close to the foundation chakra, For instance – Tree Pose, Certain Angle Pose, Locust Pose, and many others.

3. Samana Vayu

Samana means ‘equal’ (Equal within the sense of ‘Balancing’). It occupied between the working areas of prana & Apana Vayu. It hasn’t any motion in an upward or downward route, however it works solely within the navel area. Samana vayu focuses on the ‘fireplace factor’ of the physique and therefore, stimulates Manipura Chakra.

It’s chargeable for vitality utilized within the digestion course of and dealing of digestive organs just like the abdomen, liver, giant gut. Samana vayu is each heating and cooling in nature which regulates the digestion course of.

An imbalance of Samana Vayu can disturb the urge for food of an individual which brings weak point within the physique. Furthermore, it impacts metabolism deficiency within the physique.

Additionally learn: Samana mudra for digestion

Poses To Stability Samana Vayu

Poses that creates extension or contraction within the navel area are good to steadiness the samana vayu. For instance, Boat pose, Seated ahead bend pose, and many others.

4. Udana Vayu

Udana means ‘Fly’ (fly in sense motion). With the assistance of Udana Vayu solely, you’ll be able to transfer the totally different organs of the physique.
For instance – Shifting or rolling the hand by the shoulder, rounding the pinnacle & kicking by legs. All these potential due to Udana Vayu. This important vitality lies within the vishuddha chakra (Throat) and limbs above it.

On the bodily degree, Udana Vayu coordinates the neurons of the motor & sensory nervous system. This coordination helps within the correct motion of various organs of the physique. Apart from this, controlling the 5 bodily senses are additionally dealt with by Udana Vayu.

Udana Vayu works within the different-different areas of the physique. It resides between neck to go half, shoulder to fingertips (fingers) & hips to the toe ideas (legs). The deficiency of Udana Vayu could make an individual paralyzed. Senses of the physique gained’t work accurately & it could actually result in imaginative and prescient issues and deafness.

Additionally learn: Udana mudra to steadiness udana vayu

Poses To Stability Udana Vayu

Poses that brings consciousness to the shoulder and head area are greatest to steadiness the udana vayu within the physique, For Instance, Bridge Pose, Shoulder Stand, Plow Pose, Fish Pose, and many others.

5. Vyana Vayu

Vyana is the fifth and most built-in sort of prana. The principle perform of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve pressure into the poor space of different pranas. It offers essential vitamins to wanted organs through blood circulation.

In contrast to the opposite 4 pranas, vyana vayu has no particular space working space within the physique because it travels throughout the entire physique & thoughts by the circulatory system.

An imbalance in Vyana vayu can result in lack of coordination between sensory and motor neurons. It may possibly additional ends in weak muscular actions or tight muscle tissue. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating rather a lot and sudden horripilation by worry turns into a really identified phenomenon.

Additionally learn: Vyana mudra for hypertension

Poses To Stability Vyana Vayu

Half-moon Pose and Eagle Pose might be practiced to redirect vyana vayu in a unique a part of the physique.

Upaprana

Aside from the 5 main vayus, there are 5 minor pranas additionally, referred to as Upaprana. 5 upa pranas are Naga, Kurma, Krikala, Devdatta, and Dhananjaya.

Every time there comes blockages in 5 principal prana vayus, upa-pranas works to deliver that vayu in steadiness. Additionally, it’s chargeable for routine actions like eye blinking, yawning, sneezing, or burping, and many others.

1. Naga – Releases the fuel that causes blockage in Prana and Apana Vayu within the type of burping, vomit, hiccups, and many others.
2. Kurma – This upa-prana controls the eyelid winking and retains eyes moisturize.
3. Krikala – It induces sneezing to clear the blockages within the respiratory system.
4. Devdatta – This up-prana releases the fuel within the type of Yawning. It balances samana vayu vitality by expelling the fuel after consuming.
5. Dhananjaya – It regulates the opening and shutting of the center valves and controls the fragmentation of a physique after loss of life.

5 Prana Vayus Chart