The 5 Vayus
At its heart, hatha yoga is more than just flexibility or strength in postures; it is the management of prana, the vital life force that animates all levels of being. Prana enables the body to move and the mind to think. It is the intelligence that coordinates our senses, and the perceptible manifestation of our higher selves. By becoming more attentive to prana—and enhancing and directing its flow through the practices of hatha yoga—we can invigorate the body and mind, develop an expanded inner awareness, and open the door to higher states of consciousness.
Prana literally means “life-force.” It is the energy we need for vital activities like breathing, talking, moving, thinking, digesting, breathing, and so on. Hence, we call it vital life-force energy.
This powerful energy is also intricately connected to the mind, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and general well-being. As a result, the state of this energy directly affects our physical health, mental well-being, and spiritual growth.
The yoga tradition describes five movements or functions of prana known as the vayus (literally “winds”)—prana vayu (not to be confused with the undivided master prana), apana vayu, samana vayu, udana vayu, and vyana vayu. These five vayus govern different areas of the body and different physical and subtle activities. When they’re functioning harmoniously, they assure the health and vitality of the body and mind, allowing us to enjoy our unique talents and live life with meaning and purpose.
Vayus refer to the directions in which prana moves through the body.
Prana Vayu: Moves upwards and outwards, influencing Anahata (heart chakra) and Ajna (third eye chakra). It encourages love, compassion, intuition, wisdom, focus, and knowledge.
Pranayama is one of the most effective practices to promote and balance the prana vayu. Ujjayi Breath and Nadi Shodhana are two powerful techniques you can practice daily to improve the flow of energy to this region.
Heart-opening yoga poses and inversions increase space in the chest, promoting cardiovascular health and emotional well-being. The yogic cleansing practice Jala Neti can also help clear the air passageways and improve the quality of life-force energy in the body.
Apana Vayu: Moves downwards and outwards, influencing Muladhara (root chakra) and Swadhisthana (sacral chakra). It enhances metabolism, reproductive health, sexual health and the elimination of body wastes.
Kapalabhati, also known as Skull Shining Breath, is an effective yoga technique for cleansing the nasal passage and eliminating stagnant oxygen. Eating earthy foods such as rice, butternut, and sweet potatoes can also increase and balance this vital energy.
Samana Vayu: Located between Prana and Apana, it stimulates Manipura (solar plexus chakra). This chakra is the seat of self, ego, motivation, and willpower. It’s the life force that connects the baby to the mother in the womb.
Pranayama and dynamic yoga asanas that improve digestion can increase samana vayu. Additionally, it’s important to adopt a mindful approach to eating, with a balanced and nutritious diet.
Udana Vayu: Flows through the throat, influencing Vishuddha (throat chakra). It allows for free and truthful self-expression through speech, song, dance, and other creative forms.
We can increase udana vayu with sunlight and appropriate food. If you feel weak and are unable to express yourself, take a walk outside under the sun and have a bite to eat. You’ll notice your energy levels begin to rise and mental clarity return.
Vyana Vayu: Flows around the whole body, influencing all the chakras. For Vyana to flow freely, all chakras must be balanced. When Vyana flows freely, it helps balance the chakras.
Drinking water can stimulate and boost vyana energy. Standing yoga poses that expand energy in the limbs can also enhance the distribution of this vital life force.
Prana is the energy that sustains life and maintains the healthy functioning of all human activities. In having a basic understanding of prana and yoga’s 5 vital forces, we can learn how to use this energy to help reach optimum health and well-being.