Usually, the basic factor that distinguishes a residing being from an inanimate object is named Prana.

For simplicity, Prana is usually known as the “breath” or the “air we inhale.” Nevertheless, for a yogi, understanding Prana goes far past simply breath.

Yogis view the breath as a device a way to manage, broaden, or redirect Prana. This science of working with Prana is named Pranayama.

What’s Prana?

In line with the yoga custom, Prana is the important vitality within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it sustains life, Prana is usually referred to as the “important life drive” or “important vitality” of a residing being.

Solely when Prana flows steadily can the voluntary and involuntary features of the physique happen. Respiratory, digestion, heartbeat, strolling, speaking, and even pondering all are ruled by the motion of Prana.

Nevertheless, Prana is just not restricted to residing beings. It additionally exists in inanimate objects, permeating all types of matter.

To supply a broader view, the Vedic scriptures describe Prana as the ability of the Supreme Self that manifests your entire universe and pervades all of creation.

The literal Which 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 drive “which brings forth the motion”. And Prana Shakti is all concerning the manifestation which Prana brings; like life, matter, ideas, and so on. It’s the transformative drive that converts vitality into matter and matter into vitality.

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

To know the that means of prana, Swami Vivekananda explains Prana fantastically in his work. In line with him;

Firstly 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 most important sources of prana are the solar, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources referred to as common prana and we get it in numerous varieties like meals, air, water, and daylight. Nevertheless, it’s stated, holy locations, expertise, contemplation on the supreme self additionally improve the Prana stage of the physique.

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

In line with Hindu philosophy, in our physique, Prana is claimed to the companion of Atman, the soul. Prana lies with the soul on the coronary heart middle. The soul is the silent experiencer that perceives the bodily world via 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 drive (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 research from “Institute for Consciousness Analysis, researchers stated;

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 in an effort to be certain that its correct functioning, the fixed circulate of prana is essential.

Prana flows within the physique via refined vitality channels which in yogic terminology referred to as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in your entire physique in such a means that each one the minor Nadis are related from the three most important Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 most important nadis lies within the refined physique alongside the spinal wire.

Additionally Learn: The Three Principal 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 varieties vitality facilities i.e. 7 chakras.

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

Prana flows within the type of Vayus

Yogis when noticed the features, depth, and path 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 entire physique. For instance, in some areas, the path of circulate of Prana is upward (in chest, throat) whereas in different areas, it strikes downwards.

So as to perceive Prana extra precisely, yogis divided Prana into 5 vayus.

What are Vayus?

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

Primarily based on the circulate of Prana in a selected area of the physique, Prana could 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 necessary kind of Prana is prana vayu (To tell apart Prana from prana vayu, Prana is named Mahaprana). The circulate of this vayu typically occurs inwardly and upward path.

On the bodily stage, prana vayu is liable for the working of the respiratory system together with the pumping of the center, major inhalation-exhalation course of. Aside 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. Due to this fact imbalance within the amount or a blockage in prana vayu can result in despair, 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 wherein 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 path. Typically, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the upper vitality centres and limit its pointless circulate out of the physique. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.

The primary operate 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. Aside from this, Apana Vayu can also be liable for sexual stimulation, ejaculation & month-to-month menstrual cycle for ladies.

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

Additionally learn: Apana vayu mudra for coronary heart

Poses To Stability Apana Vayu

To steadiness apana vayu, one ought to give attention to the poses which domesticate consciousness close to the foundation chakra, For instance – Tree Pose, Sure Angle Pose, Locust Pose, and so on.

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 path, 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 liable for vitality utilized within the digestion course of and dealing of digestive organs just like the abdomen, liver, massive 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 spot 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 so on.

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 – Transferring or rolling the hand via the shoulder, rounding the top & kicking via legs. All these attainable due to Udana Vayu. This important vitality lies within the vishuddha chakra (Throat) and limbs above it.

On the bodily stage, Udana Vayu coordinates the neurons of the motor & sensory nervous system. This coordination helps within the correct motion of various organs of the physique. Aside 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 move half, shoulder to fingertips (arms) & hips to the toe suggestions (legs). The deficiency of Udana Vayu could make an individual paralyzed. Senses of the physique received’t work accurately & it could possibly 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 finest to steadiness the udana vayu within the physique, For Instance, Bridge Pose, Shoulder Stand, Plow Pose, Fish Pose, and so on.

5. Vyana Vayu

Vyana is the fifth and most built-in kind of prana. The primary operate of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve drive into the poor space of different pranas. It offers vital vitamins to wanted organs through blood circulate.

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 via the circulatory system.

An imbalance in Vyana vayu can result in lack of coordination between sensory and motor neurons. It might additional ends in weak muscular actions or tight muscular tissues. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating lots and sudden horripilation by worry turns into a really recognized phenomenon.

Additionally learn: Vyana mudra for hypertension

Poses To Stability Vyana Vayu

Half-moon Pose and Eagle Pose could 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.

At any time when there comes blockages in 5 most important prana vayus, upa-pranas works to carry that vayu in steadiness. Additionally, it’s liable for routine actions like eye blinking, yawning, sneezing, or burping, and so on.

1. Naga – Releases the fuel that causes blockage in Prana and Apana Vayu within the type of burping, vomit, hiccups, and so on.
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 demise.

5 Prana Vayus Chart