- What is Prana?
- Its Source
- How it flows
- 5 Vayus
- Prana
- Apana
- Samana
- Udana
- Vyana
- Upaprana
- Prana Vayus Chart
Image: Canva
In general, the fundamental element that distinguishes a living being from an inanimate object is known as Prana.
For simplicity, Prana is sometimes referred to as the “breath” or the “air we inhale.” However, for a yogi, understanding Prana goes far beyond just breath.
Yogis view the breath as a tool a means to control, expand, or redirect Prana. This science of working with Prana is known as Pranayama.
What is Prana?
According to the yoga tradition, Prana is the vital energy in the body that keeps us alive. Because it sustains life, Prana is often called the “vital life force” or “vital energy” of a living being.
Only when Prana flows steadily can the voluntary and involuntary functions of the body take place. Breathing, digestion, heartbeat, walking, talking, and even thinking all are governed by the movement of Prana.
However, Prana is not limited to living beings. It also exists in inanimate objects, permeating all forms of matter.
To offer a broader view, the Vedic scriptures describe Prana as the power of the Supreme Self that manifests the entire universe and pervades all of creation.
The literal Meaning of Prana
In Sanskrit ‘Prana’ is spelled as ‘Praan‘ and its power is called ‘Praan shakti‘.
The Sanskrit term ‘Praan‘ is derived from the prefix ‘Pra‘ means ‘brings forth‘ and root ‘an’ means ‘movement‘. Prana means the force “which brings forth the movement”. And Prana Shakti is all about the manifestation which Prana brings; like life, matter, thoughts, etc. It’s the transformative force that converts energy into matter and matter into energy.
The force which makes us able to breathe, gives us an ability to think, lets us move body limbs freely is the force of Prana. Moreover, every other movement that is happening in all the objects of this universe is the force of Prana. This is why Prana is called the universal force that sums up the total of all forces in the universe.
To understand the meaning of prana, Swami Vivekananda explains Prana beautifully in his work. According to him;
Source of Prana
Image: Canva
The three main sources of prana are the sun, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources called universal prana and we get it in different forms like food, air, water, and sunlight. However, it’s said, holy places, experience, contemplation on the supreme self also enhance the Prana level of the body.
Whether you are looking through eyes, breathing through the nose, sensing through the skin, or able to think of an event – Prana is working behind every subtle mechanism of the body.
According to Hindu philosophy, in our body, Prana is said to the companion of Atman, the soul. Prana lies with the soul at the heart center. The soul is the silent experiencer that perceives the physical world through the working of Prana; it enters and leaves the body with the Prana.
Before the physical body or mind begins to develop in an embryo in the mother’s womb, firstly soul comes into it and with the soul, Prana comes. Then pranic force (prana-shakti) combines the 5 elements to create the mind, senses, and the body. In this way, prana is superior to the body & mind, and getting control of Prana gives one control over the mind as well.
As mentioned in a study from “Institute for Consciousness Research, researchers said;
How Prana Flows?
Our body is a complex system of organs and in order to make sure its proper functioning, the constant flow of prana is very important.
Prana flows in the body through subtle energy channels which in yogic terminology called the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in the entire body in such a way that all the minor Nadis are connected from the three main Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 main nadis lies in the subtle body along the spinal cord.
Where Ida and Pingala Nadi crisscross each other, at those points it meets with Sushumna Nadi, the central energy channel. And this way, this point of cross-section forms energy centers i.e. 7 chakras.
When Prana flows through Nadis, then it’s the work of Chakras to distribute it to other minor Nadis that are spread over the whole body. As soon as a chakra is fully filled up with Prana, it starts directing prana shakti in all possible directions by revolving on its axis. It’s called a balanced chakra when Prana is flowing through it in a balanced manner.
Prana flows in the form of Vayus
Yogis when observed the functions, intensity, and direction of flowing Prana in the Nadis, they found in the different region of the body, Prana act differently. It is not the same throughout the entire body. For example, in some regions, the direction of flow of Prana is upward (in chest, throat) while in other regions, it moves downwards.
In order to understand Prana more accurately, yogis divided Prana into 5 vayus.
What are Vayus?
The movement or the flow of prana is called the Vayu. Vayu literally translates as ‘Wind’. Like the wind is a force behind moving objects, Prana takes movement in the body in the form of Vayu.
Based on the flow of Prana in a particular region of the body, Prana can be divided into 5 vayus named Prana Vayu, Apana Vayu, Samana Vayu, Udana Vayu, and Vyana Vayu. These 5 are the major division of ‘Prana’ combinedly called the Pancha Pranas.
1. Prana Vayu
The first and most important type of Prana is prana vayu (To distinguish Prana from prana vayu, Prana is called Mahaprana). The flow of this vayu generally happens inwardly and upward direction.
On the physical level, prana vayu is responsible for the working of the respiratory system including the pumping of the heart, primary inhalation-exhalation process. Other than this, it also helps in swallowing and regurgitation food. It balances some physiological & psychological activities like eye-concentration, emotions & mental consistency.
The heart chakra is said the main seat of this vayu. Therefore imbalance in the quantity or a blockage in prana vayu can lead to depression, low-feeling & heart-related problems.
Also read: Prana mudra to balance prana vayu
Poses To Balance Prana Vayu
To balance the prana vayu one can practice the Asana in which the chest region is involved majorly. Some examples of asana to balance prana vayu, are standing Cobra, bridge pose, bow pose & camel pose.
Prana Vayu Imbalance Symptoms
2. Apana Vayu
Apana Vayu flows in the opposite direction of prana vayu, i.e., in the downward direction. Generally, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the higher energy centres and restrict its unnecessary flow out of the body. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.
The main function of Apana Vayu is the elimination of waste as feces, gas, and urine. At the time of childbirth, Apana Vayu helps to create a smooth passageway for delivery. Other than this, Apana Vayu is also responsible for sexual stimulation, ejaculation & monthly menstrual cycle for women.
Major working area of apana vayu is core of the pelvic floor and it regulates the organs that lies in between...