Prana Vayus & Pranayama

Prana is defined as the "life force" and flows through all living and inanimate objects, comprising all the energy in nature and the universe. Prana primarily enters the body through the breath, but is also in what we physically ingest and mentally perceive. It feeds our cells and existence, bringing awareness, intelligence, introspectiveness, and higher consciousness.

On a physical level, Prana is responsible for respiration, digestion, absorption and circulation of nutrients, elimination of waste, and energy utilization. On a mental, emotional, and spiritual level, it governs the intake, digestion, absorption, and circulation of information, removes mental and emotional wastes, and brings expansiveness, growth, and balance.

To understand prana and its five winds (vayus), it's helpful to know how energy moves within the body and its effects and functions. There are thousands of channels (nadi) in the body that transport everything physically and mentally. The three main channels that directly affect prana energy in the subtle body are the sushumna, the central channel of the spine. Ida is the channel that is responsible for the left hemisphere of the body (lunar and cooling), and pingala is the right hemisphere of the body (solar and heating). These nadis crisscross through each of the seven cakras (energy centers) located along the spine. The cakras govern subtle energy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, fostering balance and well-being through breath practices, mantras, mudràs, marma points, sounds, and color therapies.

The Cakras:

Crown: Sahasrara cakra connects to self-realization and purpose, universal consciousness, and bliss.

Third Eye: Ajna cakra relates to presence, intuitiveness, spiritual introspection, and pursuits.

Throat: Vishuddha cakra brings communication, confidence, speaking your truth, and creativity.

Heart: Anahata cakra encompasses love, compassion, faith, and the ability to connect to spirit.

Naval: Manipura cakra establishes confidence, ambition, achievement, and the ability to take action.

Sacral: Svadhistana cakra brings a sense of individualism, ego, and the power of creation.

Root: Muladhara cakra connects our identities, self-esteem, stability, security, and groundedness.

The Five Prana Vayus

1. Prana Vayu - Inward and Forward Moving Breath

The prÀna vayu is the most fundamental of the five vayus because it encompasses all creation. Its movement is inward and forward, and its location lies between the brain and the heart. It is associated with the air element (cool, light, and mobile) and the Anahata (heart) cakra. It is responsible for everything we take in: breath, awareness, perceptions, and nourishment. Overstimulation and excessive information intake can create imbalanced digestion, poor immunity, breathing or respiratory irregularities, and mental and neurological disorders.

Pranayama practices that engage this vayu include the use of the three bandhas and kumbhakas in ujjayi and viloma, along with bhastrika, nÀçÁs shodhana, and bhramari.

2. Udana Vayu - Upward-Moving Breath

The udana vayu is located in the throat region and extends to the top of the head. Understood as the upward and outward breath, and is associated with the ether element (cold, light, and stable) and the Viœhuddha (throat) cakra. It governs speech, self-expression, enthusiasm, perception, and higher consciousness. Its connection to the thyroid gland controls growth, immunity, and metabolism. Imbalances with this vÀyu can be associated with the respiratory, throat, and nasal dysfunctions, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus, expression, and self-esteem.

Pranayama practices that engage this vayu is jalandhara-bandha (throat lock), antara kumbhaka, all ujjayi with extended exhalations, viloma exhalations, kaplabhati, bastrika, and Nadi shodhana.

3. Samana Vayu - Energizing & Equalizing Breath

The samana vayu is found around the solar plexus, extending from the diaphragm area to the navel, where the upper and lower body winds meet, moving from the periphery to the center. It is associated with the fire element (hot, light, and unstable) and the Manipura cakra, which governs all digestion (Agni) and the absorption and assimilation of nutrients and information. Its actions regulate metabolism and immunity, remove toxins, and transform emotions, thoughts, and experiences, helping balance all bodily systems.

Pranayama practices that engage this vayu are extended exhalations with bahya kumbhaka, udiuanna-bandha, kapalbhati, bhastrika, surya bhedana, sitali, and chandra bhedana for cooling.

4. Vyana Vayu- Diffusive-Pervasive Breath

The vyana vayu is located in the heart and lung region. It encompasses all circulation and movements in the body, from the crown of the head to our foundations. It is associated with the air element (cool, light, and mobile) and the AnÀhata cakra, which moves from the center to the periphery. It circulates blood, oxygen, and nutrients, assists in digestion and absorption, and eliminates waste products. It controls the muscles regulating movement and locomotion. Mentally, it governs all thoughts, feelings, ideas, emotions, and impulses. When deficient, there can be a sense of weakness, anxiety, and disorientation.

Pranayama practices that engage this vayu include breath retention on inhalations and long, deep, wide, diffusing exhalations. Nadi shodhana brings overall balance and equilibrium.

5. Apana Vayu - Downward Moving Breath

The apana vayu is located between the navel and anus in the pelvic region. It is responsible for all downward and outward movements. It is associated with the earth element (calm, heavy, and stable) and the muladhara (root) cakra, which governs stability and groundedness. Its actions include all excretions, including urination, feces, sweat, semen, menstruation, and childbirth. Its location is the seat (home) of the Vata dosha, which has qualities of cold and light. When imbalanced, pain can be experienced in the bones, joints, and muscles, as well as in the mind. Heavier qualities create stability and grounding.

Pranayama practices that engage this vayu include longer exhalations in ujjayi and viloma, uddiyanna, muha-bandha, bahya kumbhaka, and surya bhedana.

The Prana Vayus in the Yoga Practice

outward to the core) vayus protect the lower back and open the heart. Finally, twists and abdominal postures engage the samana (core-to-periphery) vàyu, allowing us to move deeply from the center and connect with inner power and strength. prana.