Typically, the basic entity that distinguishes a dwelling from an inanimate object is known as the prana.

Nonetheless, for the sake of straightforward understanding typically prana is known as to the ‘breath’ or the ‘air we inhale’. However for a yogi, there may be far more in understanding prana aside from relating it with the breath.

Certainly yogis contemplate respiration similar to a software to manage, increase or redirect prana accordingly. This science of growth or controlling of Prana is known as Pranayama.

What’s Prana?

In keeping with the yoga custom, Prana is the power within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it’s chargeable for the LIFE, Prana is known as the “important life drive” or “important power” for a dwelling being.

When the prana is in a gentle circulate, solely then the voluntary and involuntary capabilities of the physique turn into attainable. For instance, the respiration, digestion and coronary heart beating, strolling, speaking, considering; all of the actions are ruled by the prana. Furthermore, Prana isn’t solely about life or regulating bodily capabilities in a dwelling being, it additionally exists in inanimate objects.

For a broad image of Prana, Vedic scriptures outlined Prana as the facility of the supreme self that manifests every little thing within the universe and permeates all created issues.

The literal That means of Prana

In Sanskrit ‘Prana’ is spelled as ‘Praan‘ and its energy is 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 drive “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 drive that converts power into matter and matter into power.

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

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

At the start of creation, there may be solely this Akasha (area). However by the facility of Prana, Akasha (area) manufactured into this universe.

Swami Vivekananda

Supply of Prana

The three important sources of prana are the solar, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources referred to as common prana and we get it in numerous varieties like meals, air, water, and daylight. Nonetheless, it’s stated, holy locations, expertise, contemplation on the supreme self additionally improve the Prana stage of the physique.

Whether or not you’re looking via eyes, respiration via the nostril, sensing via the pores and skin, or ready to consider an occasion – Prana is working behind each refined mechanism of the physique .

In keeping with Hindu philosophy, in our physique, Prana is claimed 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 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 drive (prana-shakti) combines the 5 components to create the thoughts, senses, and the physique. On this method, prana is superior to the physique & thoughts, and getting management of Prana provides one management over the thoughts as effectively.

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 assume, focus, meditate, recite a mantra, or soften in devotion solely with the assistance of ‘prana-shakti’, in the identical method 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 posh system of organs and with the intention to make sure that its correct functioning, the fixed circulate of prana is essential.

Prana flows within the physique via refined power channels which in yogic terminology referred to as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in your complete physique in such a method that each one the minor Nadis are related from the three important Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 important nadis lies within the refined physique alongside the spinal twine.

Additionally Learn: The Three Fundamental 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 manner, this level of cross-section varieties power 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 stuffed up with Prana, it begins directing prana shakti in all attainable instructions by revolving on its axis. It’s referred to 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 capabilities, 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 your complete physique. For instance, in some areas, the route of circulate of Prana is upward (in chest, throat) whereas in different areas, it strikes downwards.

To be able to perceive Prana extra precisely, yogis divided Prana into 5 vayus.

What are Vayus?

The motion or the circulate of prana is known as 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 will 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 referred to as the Pancha Pranas.

1. Prana Vayu

The primary and most essential sort of Prana is prana vayu (To tell apart Prana from prana vayu, Prana is known as Mahaprana). The circulate of this vayu typically occurs inwardly and upward route.

On the bodily stage, 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 guts 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 steadiness prana vayu

Poses To Stability Prana Vayu

To steadiness the prana vayu one can apply 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 route. 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 perform 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 also be chargeable 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 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 Stability 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, 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, nevertheless it works solely within the navel area. Samana vayu focuses on the ‘fireplace factor’ of the physique and therefore, stimulates Manipura Chakra.

It’s chargeable 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 spot within the physique. Furthermore, it impacts metabolism deficiency within the physique.

Additionally learn: Samana mudra for digestion

Poses To Stability 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 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 – Transferring or rolling the hand via the shoulder, rounding the pinnacle & kicking via legs. All these attainable due to Udana Vayu. This important power lies within the vishuddha chakra (Throat) and limbs above it.

On the bodily stage, 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 (palms) & hips to the toe suggestions (legs). The deficiency of Udana Vayu could make an individual paralyzed. Senses of the physique received’t work appropriately & it will possibly result in imaginative and prescient issues and deafness.

Additionally learn: Udana mudra to steadiness udana vayu

Poses To Stability 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 on.

5. Vyana Vayu

Vyana is the fifth and most built-in sort of prana. The principle perform of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve drive into the poor space of different pranas. It offers essential 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 via the circulatory system.

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

Additionally learn: Vyana mudra for hypertension

Poses To Stability Vyana Vayu

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

Upaprana

Aside from 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 important prana vayus, upa-pranas works to carry that vayu in steadiness. Additionally, it’s chargeable for routine actions like eye blinking, yawning, sneezing, or burping, and so on.

1. Naga – Releases the gasoline 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 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 dying.

5 Prana Vayus Chart