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

Basically, the elemental ingredient that distinguishes a dwelling 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 instrument a method to manage, broaden, or redirect Prana. This science of working with Prana is named Pranayama.

What’s Prana?

In response to the yoga custom, Prana is the important power within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it sustains life, Prana is commonly referred to as the “important life drive” or “important power” of a dwelling being.

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

Nonetheless, Prana just isn’t restricted to dwelling 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 the whole universe and pervades all of creation.

The literal Which means of Prana

In Sanskrit ‘Prana’ is spelled as ‘Praan‘ and its energy is named ‘Praan shakti‘.

The Sanskrit time period ‘Praan‘ is derived from the prefix ‘Pra‘ means ‘brings forth‘ and root ‘an’ means ‘motion‘. Prana means the drive “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 drive that converts power into matter and matter into power.

The drive which makes us capable of breathe, offers us a capability to suppose, lets us transfer physique limbs freely is the drive of Prana. Furthermore, each different motion that’s taking place in all of the objects of this universe is the drive of Prana. This is the reason Prana is named the common drive that sums up the overall of all forces within the universe.

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

At the start of creation, there’s solely this Akasha (house). However by the ability of Prana, Akasha (house) manufactured into this universe.

Swami Vivekananda

Supply of Prana

The three primary sources of prana are the solar, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources referred to as common prana and we get it in numerous 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 by way of eyes, respiration by way of the nostril, sensing by way of the pores and skin, or ready to think about an occasion – Prana is working behind each delicate 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 by way 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 drive (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 nicely.

Additionally Learn: Panch Tatva: 5 Parts of Physique 

As talked about in a examine from “Institute for Consciousness Analysis, researchers stated;

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 approach 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 circulate of prana is essential.

Prana flows within the physique by way of delicate power channels which in yogic terminology referred to as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in the whole physique in such a approach that every one the minor Nadis are linked from the three primary Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 primary 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 types power facilities i.e. 7 chakras.

When Prana flows by way of Nadis, then it’s the work of Chakras to distribute it to different minor Nadis which might be unfold over the entire physique. As quickly as a chakra is absolutely stuffed up with Prana, it begins directing prana shakti in all doable instructions by revolving on its axis. It’s referred to as a balanced chakra when Prana is flowing by way of it in a balanced method.

Prana flows within the type of Vayus

Yogis when noticed the features, depth, and course 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 the whole physique. For instance, in some areas, the course of circulate 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 circulate of prana is named the Vayu. Vayu actually interprets as ‘Wind’. Just like the wind is a drive behind transferring objects, Prana takes motion within the physique within the type of Vayu.

Based mostly on the circulate of Prana in a selected 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 most important division of ‘Prana’ combinedly referred to 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 is named Mahaprana). The circulate of this vayu usually occurs inwardly and upward course.

On the bodily degree, prana vayu is answerable 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 guts chakra is claimed the principle 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 Steadiness Prana Vayu

To steadiness the prana vayu one can observe 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 other way of prana vayu, i.e., within the downward course. Typically, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the upper power centres and limit its pointless circulate out of the physique. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.

The principle operate of Apana Vayu is the elimination of waste as feces, gasoline, and urine. On the time of childbirth, Apana Vayu helps to create a easy passageway for supply. Apart from this, Apana Vayu can be answerable for sexual stimulation, ejaculation & month-to-month menstrual cycle for ladies.

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 basis chakra, For instance – Tree Pose, Certain 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 course, however it works solely within the navel area. Samana vayu focuses on the ‘fireplace ingredient’ of the physique and therefore, stimulates Manipura Chakra.

It’s answerable 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 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’ll be able to transfer the totally different organs of the physique.
For instance – Transferring or rolling the hand by way of the shoulder, rounding the top & kicking by way of legs. All these doable due to Udana Vayu. This important power 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 (fingers) & 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 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 sort of prana. The principle operate of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve drive into the poor space of different pranas. It offers needed vitamins to wanted organs through 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 way of the circulatory system.

An imbalance in Vyana vayu can result in lack of coordination between sensory and motor neurons. It may well additional ends in weak muscular actions or tight muscle groups. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating lots and sudden horripilation by concern turns into a really recognized phenomenon.

Additionally learn: Vyana mudra for hypertension

Poses To Steadiness Vyana Vayu

Half-moon Pose and Eagle Pose could 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, referred to as Upaprana. 5 upa pranas are Naga, Kurma, Krikala, Devdatta, and Dhananjaya.

Each time there comes blockages in 5 primary prana vayus, upa-pranas works to carry that vayu in steadiness. Additionally, it’s answerable for routine actions like eye blinking, yawning, sneezing, or burping, and so forth.

1. Naga – Releases the gasoline 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 gasoline within the type of Yawning. It balances samana vayu power by expelling the gasoline after consuming.
5. Dhananjaya – It regulates the opening and shutting of the guts valves and controls the fragmentation of a physique after loss of life.

5 Prana Vayus Chart