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

On the whole, the elemental entity that distinguishes a residing from an inanimate object is named the prana.

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

Certainly yogis take into account respiration identical to a device to regulate, broaden or redirect prana accordingly. This science of enlargement or controlling of Prana is named Pranayama.

What’s Prana?

In response to the yoga custom, Prana is the vitality within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it’s chargeable for the LIFE, Prana is named the “very important life pressure” or “very important vitality” for a residing being.

When the prana is in a gradual circulate, solely then the voluntary and involuntary capabilities of the physique turn into doable. 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 residing 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 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 pressure “which brings forth the motion”. And Prana Shakti is all in regards to the manifestation which Prana brings; like life, matter, ideas, and so forth. It’s the transformative pressure that converts vitality into matter and matter into vitality.

The pressure which makes us in a position to breathe, provides us a capability to suppose, lets us transfer physique limbs freely is the pressure of Prana. Furthermore, each different motion that’s taking place in all of the objects of this universe is the pressure of Prana. That is why Prana is named the common pressure that sums up the full of all forces within the universe.

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

At first 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 major sources of prana are the solar, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources known 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 by eyes, respiration by the nostril, sensing by the pores and skin, or in a position to consider 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 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 pressure (prana-shakti) combines the 5 parts to create the thoughts, senses, and the physique. On this means, prana is superior to the physique & thoughts, and getting management of Prana provides one management over the thoughts as nicely.

Additionally Learn: Panch Tatva: 5 Parts of Physique 

As talked about in a research 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 means 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 a purpose to be sure that its correct functioning, the fixed circulate of prana is essential.

Prana flows within the physique by delicate vitality channels which in yogic terminology known as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in your complete physique in such a means that every one the minor Nadis are linked from the three major Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 major nadis lies within the delicate physique alongside the spinal twine.

Additionally Learn: The Three Essential 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 manner, this level of cross-section varieties vitality facilities i.e. 7 chakras.

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

Prana flows within the type of Vayus

Yogis when noticed the capabilities, depth, and course of flowing Prana within the Nadis, they discovered within the totally different area of the physique, Prana act otherwise. It’s not the identical all through your complete physique. For instance, in some areas, the course of circulate of Prana is upward (in chest, throat) whereas in different areas, it strikes downwards.

With a purpose 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 pressure behind transferring 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 might 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 known as the Pancha Pranas.

1. Prana Vayu

The primary and most vital kind of Prana is prana vayu (To tell apart Prana from prana vayu, Prana is named Mahaprana). The circulate of this vayu usually occurs inwardly and upward course.

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 center 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 melancholy, 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 apply the Asana through 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. Usually, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the upper vitality centres and prohibit its pointless circulate out of the physique. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.

The primary 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 clean passageway for supply. Apart from this, Apana Vayu can 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 massive 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 Steadiness Apana Vayu

To steadiness apana vayu, one ought to concentrate on the poses which domesticate consciousness close to the foundation 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, but it surely 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 spot 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 totally different organs of the physique.
For instance – Shifting or rolling the hand by the shoulder, rounding the pinnacle & kicking by legs. All these doable due to Udana Vayu. This very important vitality 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 ideas (legs). The deficiency of Udana Vayu could make an individual paralyzed. Senses of the physique gained’t work appropriately & it may 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 perform of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve pressure into the poor space of different pranas. It offers crucial vitamins to wanted organs by way of blood circulate.

In contrast to the opposite 4 pranas, vyana vayu has no particular space working space within the physique because it travels throughout the entire physique & thoughts by the circulatory system.

An imbalance in Vyana vayu can result in lack of coordination between sensory and motor neurons. It may additional ends in weak muscular actions or tight muscle tissue. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating quite a bit 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 might 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, known as Upaprana. 5 upa pranas are Naga, Kurma, Krikala, Devdatta, and Dhananjaya.

Each time there comes blockages in 5 major prana vayus, upa-pranas works to deliver 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 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 vitality 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