Normally, the basic ingredient 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.” Nonetheless, for a yogi, understanding Prana goes far past simply breath.

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

What’s Prana?

Based on the yoga custom, Prana is the very important power within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it sustains life, Prana is usually known as the “very important life pressure” or “very important power” of a residing being.

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

Nonetheless, 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 facility of the Supreme Self that manifests the whole universe and pervades all of creation.

The literal That means of Prana

In Sanskrit ‘Prana’ is spelled as ‘Praan‘ and its energy known as ‘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 power into matter and matter into power.

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

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

At the start of creation, there may be solely this Akasha (area). However by the facility of Prana, Akasha (area) manufactured into this universe.

Swami Vivekananda

Supply of Prana

The three foremost sources of prana are the solar, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources known as common prana and we get it in numerous kinds like meals, air, water, and daylight. Nonetheless, it’s mentioned, holy locations, expertise, contemplation on the supreme self additionally improve the Prana stage of the physique.

Whether or not you’re looking via eyes, respiratory via the nostril, sensing via the pores and skin, or ready to think about an occasion – Prana is working behind each delicate mechanism of the physique.

Based on Hindu philosophy, in our physique, Prana is alleged 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 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 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 offers one management over the thoughts as nicely.

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 be sure its correct functioning, the fixed circulation of prana is essential.

Prana flows within the physique via delicate power channels which in yogic terminology known as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in the whole physique in such a means that every one the minor Nadis are linked from the three foremost Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 foremost nadis lies within the delicate physique alongside the spinal wire.

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

The place Ida and Pingala Nadi crisscross one another, at these factors it meets with Sushumna Nadi, the central power channel. And this fashion, this level of cross-section kinds power 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 can be unfold over the entire physique. As quickly as a chakra is absolutely crammed up with Prana, it begins directing prana shakti in all potential instructions by revolving on its axis. It’s known 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 otherwise. It isn’t the identical all through the whole physique. For instance, in some areas, the path of circulation of Prana is upward (in chest, throat) whereas in different areas, it strikes downwards.

With a view to perceive Prana extra precisely, yogis divided Prana into 5 vayus.

What are Vayus?

The motion or the circulation of prana known as 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.

Based mostly on the circulation of Prana in a specific 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 foremost division of ‘Prana’ combinedly known as the Pancha Pranas.

1. Prana Vayu

The primary and most essential kind of Prana is prana vayu (To differentiate Prana from prana vayu, Prana known as Mahaprana). The circulation of this vayu usually occurs inwardly and upward path.

On the bodily stage, prana vayu is chargeable for the working of the respiratory system together with the pumping of the center, main 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 alleged the primary 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 during 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 path. Typically, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the upper power centres and limit 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 clean passageway for supply. Apart from this, Apana Vayu can 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 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 concentrate on the poses which domesticate consciousness close to the basis 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 path, but it surely works solely within the navel area. Samana vayu focuses on the ‘fireplace ingredient’ of the physique and therefore, stimulates Manipura Chakra.

It’s chargeable for power 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 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 many others.

4. Udana Vayu

Udana means ‘Fly’ (fly in sense motion). With the assistance of Udana Vayu solely, you possibly can 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 potential due to Udana Vayu. This very important power 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. 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 move 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 appropriately & it may 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 many others.

5. Vyana Vayu

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

Not like 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 probably additional leads to weak muscular actions or tight muscular tissues. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating quite a bit and sudden horripilation by concern 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 distinct a part of the physique.

Upaprana

Other than the 5 main vayus, there are 5 minor pranas additionally, known as Upaprana. 5 upa pranas are Naga, Kurma, Krikala, Devdatta, and Dhananjaya.

Each time there comes blockages in 5 foremost 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 power 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