Prana Vayus

Vocabulary

apana vayu, prana vayu, prana vayus, samana vayu, udana vayu, vayu, vyana vayu

1. “APANA VAYU” — Governs downward and outward movement of prana; associated with elimination.
2. “PRANA VAYU” — Governs intake and forward momentum of prana; energizing [One of 5 movements of life force energy known as prana; not to be confused with prana as a whole]
3. “PRANA VAYUS” — Five movements / currents or functions of prana
4. “SAMANA VAYU” — Governs absorption / assimilation of prana; associated with contraction and consolidation.
5. “UDANA VAYU” — Governs upward movement of prana; associated with growth and expression.
6. “VAYU” — “Wind” or “direction of energy”
7. “VYANA VAYU” — Governs circulation of prana; associated with expansion.

Introduction

Through observation and testing of their experiences, yogis came to identify five major movements / currents or functions of prana that make up our physiology. (Olga Kabel)

They called these prana vayus (vayu = wind).

PRANAYAMA KOSHA MADE UP OF FIVE PRANAS

Pranamaya kosha is made up of five major pranas, which are collectively known as the pancha, or five, pranas: prana, apana, samana, udana and vyana. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati 

ENERGETIC WINDS

Wind… refers not only to our gross breath, but also to the basal energetic forces that govern all of our bodily functions. The traditional name for these energetic winds is “vayu…” These vayus are sub-units of a “master” wind (pranavayu) that joins our mind together with elements from our mother and father at the moment of our conception. As we continue to develop in the womb, the pranavayu sub-divides itself… These winds then provide the energy for essential bodily functions such as circulation, elimination, assimilation, respiration and locomotion. – David Magone 

HUMANS PROCESS ENERGY THROUGH THE VAYUSE

Every day you take things in (food, water, information, experiences); then you process them one way or the other; then you absorb the nutrients or knowledge from the processing; you eliminate the stuff that you don’t need; and as a result you grow, both physically and mentally. This is an example of your vayus (currents of prana) at work. – Olga Kabel

ASANA PRACTICE SHOULD WORK ALL PRANAS

One should consider the role of all five pranas in asana practice. An integral asana practice should work all the pranas. It requires energization (prana), expansion (vyana), contraction (samana), upward movement (udana) and downward movement (apana) in the right proportion and balance. But the degree of these pranic movements will vary by condition and by dosha. – Dr. David Frawley & Sandra Summerfield Kozak 

Five Movements / Functions

Prana Vayu

• Associated with chest and head
• Governs intake and forward momentum of prana
• Energizing

Udana Vayu

• Associated with throat
• Governs upward movement of prana
• Associated with growth, speech and expression

Apana Vayu

• Associated with pelvis
• Governs downward and outward movement of prana
• Associated with elimination

Vyana Vayu

• Associated with entire body
• Governs circulation of prana
• Associated with expansion

Samana Vayu

• Associated with the navel
• Governs discernment and absorption / assimilation of prana
• Associated with contraction and consolidation