Five Prana Vayus and Yoga Asana Practice
The Five Prana Vayus and How Yoga Asana and Pranayama Improve Them
In yoga philosophy, the body’s energy system is governed by the five vayus—subtle energies or winds that regulate various physiological and mental functions. These five vayus play a important role in the flow of prana (life force energy) throughout the body. Yoga asana (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques) are powerful tools that stimulate these vayus in a specific order to optimize the flow of energy and restore balance. Asana practice is often designed to activate and balance the prana vayus in the following sequence: Apana, the downward and outward-moving energy; Prana, the inward and upward-moving energy; Samana, the balancing energy, which draws toward the center; Udana, the from the chest upward-moving energy; and Vyana, the circulating force that distributes energy throughout the body. By understanding and practicing asana and pranayama with these vayus in mind, we can enhance physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual vitality, helping to cultivate a deeper connection between the body, breath, and mind.
1. Apana Vayu – The Outward Flow
Function: Apana Vayu governs the downward and outward movement of energy, including elimination, menstruation, and childbirth. It is primarily associated with the lower body, especially the pelvis, lower abdomen, and legs. Apana Vayu helps release malas (wasteproducts) and ama (toxins) from the body, both physically and energetically.
How Yoga Asana and Pranayama Help:
Asanas that focus on the lower body, such as Malasana (Garland Pose) and Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold), support Apana Vayu by enhancing circulation in the pelvic and abdominal regions. These poses encourage proper elimination, and the release of toxins. The exhaling breath is governed by apana vayu. Pranayama techniques like Bhastrika (bellows breath) and Kapalbhati (skull shining breath) help stimulate Apana Vayu by increasing the flow of energy through the lower body, improving the elimination of waste, and boosting overall vitality.
The primary series of Ashtanga yoga stimulates apana vayu, helps to release ama (toxins) from the body and thereby improves health.
2. Prana Vayu – The Inward Flow
Function: Prana Vayu is the most fundamental vayu, responsible for the movement of energy into the body. It governs the inhalation process, bringing life-giving prana into the lungs and through the heart. This vayu is associated with the chest, heart, and lungs, and it plays a central role in respiration and circulation.
How Yoga Asana and Pranayama Help:
Yoga asanas that focus on chest opening, such as Ustrasana (Camel Pose) and Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), help expand the lungs and facilitate the inward flow of prana. These postures open the heart area, increasing oxygen intake and enhancing overall pranic flow. Pranayama practices like Ujjayi (victorious breath) and Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) also stimulate Prana Vayu by consciously directing the breath into the body, fostering vitality and calming the mind. These practices help regulate the heart rate and improve the function of the respiratory system.
The intermediate series of Ashtanga yoga stimulates prana vayu. It includes backbends such as Ustrasana, Laghu Vajrasana, Kapotasana and Supta Vajrasana, which open the heart and ribcage. Additionally, Pincha Mayurasana and the seven headstands at the end of the second series, activate Prana Vayu, by moving the prana up in the body.
3. Samana Vayu – The Balancing Force
Function: Samana Vayu is responsible for the internal balance and digestion of energy. It governs the digestive system, metabolism, and assimilation of nutrients. This vayu is associated with the abdomen, and its role is to draw energy into the center of the body, allowing for harmony between the upper and lower body, as well as the mental and physical realms.
How Yoga Asana and Pranayama Help:
Yoga poses like Navasana (Boat Pose) and Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) target the abdominal area, stimulating digestion and helping to balance Samana Vayu. Twists and forward folds massage the internal organs and aid in the movement of energy through the digestive system. Pranayama practices such as Kumbhaka (breath retention) and Bhramari (humming bee breath) are effective in calming and balancing the internal energy, improving digestion and mental clarity. By focusing on controlled breathing, these techniques help to balance the energy between the upper and lower body, supporting a sense of internal equilibrium and digestive harmony.
The third series of Ashtanga yoga stimulates Samana Vayu. The leg behind the head postures and arm balances activate Samana Vayu by strengthening the core and stimulating the adrenal grands. The deep backbends and twists of the third series, further the activation of samana vayu, by stimulating the core.
4. Udana Vayu – The Ascending Force
Function: Udana Vayu governs the upward movement of energy, specifically related to speech, expression, and higher consciousness. It is associated with the throat, mouth, and head, and it controls the energy that rises from the heart to the throat and up, aiding in verbal expression and mental clarity. Udana Vayu is also responsible for the rise of prana in the body and governs the energy that departs from the body at the time of death.
How Yoga Asana and Pranayama Help:
Asanas that focus on the upper body, neck, and throat, such as Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) and Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) encourage the free flow of energy upwards. These postures open the chest and throat, releasing tension and improving communication pathways. Pranayama practices like Kapalbhati (skull shining breath) and Ujjayi (victorious breath) help stimulate Udana Vayu by clearing the mind, enhancing mental clarity, and supporting verbal expression. These techniques also promote higher consciousness by increasing prana’s upward flow to the head, opening channels for self-expression, spiritual awakening, and clarity of thought.
The fourth series of Ashtanga yoga activates Udana Vayu. Vrschikasana (Scorpion pose), Shayanasana and Buddhasana stretch the upper back, neck and shoulders, which stimulates Udana Vayu. Additionally asanas such as Padangustha Dhanurasana, Parivrttasana A and B, Parshva Dandasana and Omkarasana activate the neck and upper back, which stimulates Udana Vayu.
5. Vyana Vayu – The Circulating Force
Function: Vyana Vayu governs the circulation and distribution of prana throughout the entire body. It controls the movement of energy to the limbs, joints, and extremities, ensuring smooth coordination between different parts of the body. Vyana Vayu is also associated with the nervous system, responsible for integrating the various systems of the body and ensuring their harmonious functioning.
How Yoga Asana and Pranayama Help:
Asanas that involve expansive, dynamic movements—such as Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose), and Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)—are particularly beneficial for enhancing Vyana Vayu. These postures encourage a free flow of energy through the limbs and joints, promoting flexibility and strength throughout the body. Pranayama practices like Bhastrika (bellows breath) and Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) help invigorate Vyana Vayu by enhancing circulation and activating the nervous system. By stimulating the entire body’s energy field, these techniques support the even distribution of prana, boosting overall vitality and maintaining balance between the body’s systems.
Conclusion
The five prana vayus—Apana, Prana, Samana, Udana, and Vyana—are integral to our health, vitality, and emotional balance. Each vayu has a specific function within the body and mind, governing everything from digestion and elimination to speech, circulation, and spiritual consciousness. By practicing yoga asana and pranayama in a mindful and purposeful way, we can target these vayus to restore balance and flow within the body.
Yoga asanas are designed to open specific areas of the body, stimulating each vayu in turn to encourage optimal energy flow. From the grounding, downward energy of Apana to the circulating force of Vyana, each vayu is activated through postures that focus on the body’s corresponding regions. Pranayama techniques further refine this energy flow, allowing the breath to direct and balance the subtle forces within.
By regularly practicing asana and pranayama, we can experience the power of the five vayus to cultivate a stronger, more vibrant body and a clearer, more focused mind. When these energies flow freely and harmoniously, they support our overall well-being, bringing us closer to a state of physical, mental, and spiritual balance.