What’s Prana? Understanding movement of 5 Vayus – Fitsri Yoga

Basically, the elemental aspect that distinguishes a residing being from an inanimate object is named Prana.

For simplicity, Prana is typically 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 software a method to manage, increase, or redirect Prana. This science of working with Prana is named Pranayama.

What’s Prana?

In response to the yoga custom, Prana is the very important vitality within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it sustains life, Prana is commonly known as the “very important life power” or “very important vitality” 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 considering all are ruled by the motion of Prana.

Nonetheless, Prana will not be 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 all the universe and pervades all of creation.

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

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

To know the which means of prana, Swami Vivekananda explains Prana fantastically in his work. In response to him;

Initially of creation, there may be solely this Akasha (house). However by the ability of Prana, Akasha (house) manufactured into this universe.

Swami Vivekananda

Supply of Prana

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

Whether or not you’re looking via eyes, respiratory 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 response to 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 power (prana-shakti) combines the 5 components 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 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 assume, 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 result of his Shakti.

How Prana Flows?

Our physique is a fancy system of organs and with a view to make sure that its correct functioning, the fixed movement of prana is essential.

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

Additionally Learn: The Three Foremost 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 types 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 can be unfold over the entire physique. As quickly as a chakra is totally crammed up with Prana, it begins directing prana shakti in all attainable 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 route of flowing Prana within the Nadis, they discovered within the totally different area of the physique, Prana act in another way. It isn’t the identical all through all the physique. For instance, in some areas, the route of movement of Prana is upward (in chest, throat) whereas in different areas, it strikes downwards.

In an effort to perceive Prana extra precisely, yogis divided Prana into 5 vayus.

What are Vayus?

The motion or the movement of prana known as the Vayu. Vayu actually interprets as ‘Wind’. Just like the wind is a power behind shifting objects, Prana takes motion within the physique within the type of Vayu.

Based mostly on the movement of Prana in a specific area of the physique, Prana might 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 vital sort of Prana is prana vayu (To differentiate Prana from prana vayu, Prana known as Mahaprana). The movement of this vayu usually occurs inwardly and upward route.

On the bodily degree, prana vayu is chargeable for the working of the respiratory system together with the pumping of the guts, 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 center chakra is claimed the principle seat of this vayu. Subsequently imbalance within the amount or a blockage in prana vayu can result in melancholy, low-feeling & heart-related issues.

Additionally learn: Prana mudra to stability prana vayu

Poses To Steadiness Prana Vayu

To stability the prana vayu one can apply the Asana by which the chest area is concerned majorly. Some examples of asana to stability 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 route. Typically, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the upper vitality centres and prohibit its pointless movement out of the physique. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.

The principle 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. Apart from this, Apana Vayu can be chargeable for sexual stimulation, ejaculation & month-to-month menstrual cycle for girls.

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, melancholy and negativity.

Additionally learn: Apana vayu mudra for coronary heart

Poses To Steadiness Apana Vayu

To stability apana vayu, one ought to concentrate on the poses which domesticate consciousness close to the basis 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 route, but it surely works solely within the navel area. Samana vayu focuses on the ‘fireplace aspect’ of the physique and therefore, stimulates Manipura Chakra.

It’s chargeable 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 Steadiness Samana Vayu

Poses that creates extension or contraction within the navel area are good to stability 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 – Shifting or rolling the hand via the shoulder, rounding the top & kicking via legs. All these attainable due to Udana Vayu. This very important vitality lies within the vishuddha chakra (Throat) and limbs above it.

On the bodily degree, 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 go half, shoulder to fingertips (arms) & hips to the toe ideas (legs). The deficiency of Udana Vayu could make an individual paralyzed. Senses of the physique gained’t work accurately & it may result in imaginative and prescient issues and deafness.

Additionally learn: Udana mudra to stability udana vayu

Poses To Steadiness Udana Vayu

Poses that brings consciousness to the shoulder and head area are finest to stability 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 sort of prana. The principle operate of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve power into the poor space of different pranas. It supplies mandatory vitamins to wanted organs by way of blood movement.

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 probably additional ends in weak muscular actions or tight muscular tissues. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating loads and sudden horripilation by worry turns into a really recognized phenomenon.

Additionally learn: Vyana mudra for hypertension

Poses To Steadiness Vyana Vayu

Half-moon Pose and Eagle Pose might be practiced to redirect vyana vayu in a distinct a part of the physique.

Upaprana

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

At any time when there comes blockages in 5 predominant prana vayus, upa-pranas works to deliver that vayu in stability. Additionally, it’s chargeable 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 guts valves and controls the fragmentation of a physique after demise.

5 Prana Vayus Chart