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

Generally, the elemental component 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 device a method to regulate, develop, 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 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 pondering all are ruled by the motion of Prana.

Nonetheless, Prana shouldn’t 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 facility of the Supreme Self that manifests the complete 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 concerning the manifestation which Prana brings; like life, matter, ideas, and so forth. It’s the transformative power that converts vitality into matter and matter into vitality.

The power which makes us capable of breathe, offers us a capability to assume, lets us transfer physique limbs freely is the power of Prana. Furthermore, each different motion that’s taking place in all of the objects of this universe is the power of Prana. For this reason Prana known as the common power that sums up the whole of all forces within the universe.

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

Firstly of creation, there’s solely this Akasha (house). However by the facility 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 known as common prana and we get it in several types like meals, air, water, and daylight. Nonetheless, it’s mentioned, holy locations, expertise, contemplation on the supreme self additionally improve the Prana degree of the physique.

Whether or not you’re looking by means of eyes, respiratory by means of the nostril, sensing by means of the pores and skin, or in a position to think about an occasion – Prana is working behind each refined 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 by means of 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 approach, 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 mentioned;

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 approach because the Energy to create the universe resting in Shiva is solely the result of his Shakti.

How Prana Flows?

Our physique is a posh system of organs and in an effort to ensure its correct functioning, the fixed circulate of prana is essential.

Prana flows within the physique by means of refined vitality channels which in yogic terminology known as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in the complete physique in such a approach 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 Major 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 by means of 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 potential instructions by revolving on its axis. It’s known as a balanced chakra when Prana is flowing by means of 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 completely different area of the physique, Prana act otherwise. It isn’t the identical all through the complete 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 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 circulate of Prana in a specific area of the physique, Prana may be divided into 5 vayus named Prana Vayu, Apana Vayu, Samana Vayu, Udana Vayu, and Vyana Vayu. These 5 are the key division of ‘Prana’ combinedly known as the Pancha Pranas.

1. Prana Vayu

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

On the bodily degree, prana vayu is chargeable for the working of the respiratory system together with the pumping of the guts, major 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 alleged the principle seat of this vayu. Subsequently 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 Steadiness 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 clean passageway for supply. Apart from this, Apana Vayu can also 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 massive 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 Steadiness 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 forth.

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 component’ 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 point 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 steadiness the samana vayu. For instance, Boat pose, Seated ahead bend pose, and so forth.

4. Udana Vayu

Udana means ‘Fly’ (fly in sense motion). With the assistance of Udana Vayu solely, you may transfer the completely different organs of the physique.
For instance – Shifting or rolling the hand by means of the shoulder, rounding the pinnacle & kicking by means of legs. All these potential 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 move half, shoulder to fingertips (palms) & 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 could result in imaginative and prescient issues and deafness.

Additionally learn: Udana mudra to steadiness udana vayu

Poses To Steadiness 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 forth.

5. Vyana Vayu

Vyana is the fifth and most built-in kind of prana. The primary operate of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve power into the poor space of different pranas. It gives mandatory vitamins to wanted organs by way of blood circulate.

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 by means of the circulatory system.

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

Additionally learn: Vyana mudra for hypertension

Poses To Steadiness Vyana Vayu

Half-moon Pose and Eagle Pose may be practiced to redirect vyana vayu in a unique 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.

Every time there comes blockages in 5 most important prana vayus, upa-pranas works to convey that vayu in steadiness. Additionally, it’s chargeable for routine actions like eye blinking, yawning, sneezing, or burping, and so forth.

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