The Five Vayus

Prana, is a sanskrit word which means life force (sometimes referred to as breath). One of our five sublte bodies (Koshas) is the Pranamaya Kosha or vital body, and is made up of energetic compartments known as the Vayus (winds). The energies of these five vayus are very subtle and exact. They can be controled by bringing focus to specific areas of the body. Increasing the awareness of the vayus brings health, well-being, and helps to activate Kundalini energy. 

Prana Vayu: Located at the third eye, energy flows inwards and upwards governing the chest (heart)- nourishing the brain and eyes, governs the reception of food, air, senses, and thought. This is the fundamental energy of the body and directly feeds the other four vayus. Prana Vayu is a natural force that drives us through life, setting things into motion and guiding them through. To experience prana vayu- sitting or standing relaxed with a straight spine, inhale from the belly to the third eye-exhale, let the breath fall back to your belly, repeat. 


Apana Vayu: Located in the lower abdomen/pelvic floor, energy flows downwards and out, and nourishes the organs of digestion, reproduction, and elimination. It monitors the elimination of excess substances from the body such as carbon monoxide, urine, stool, semen, and menstrual fluid. Apana Vayu also aids in elimination of negativity from our body/mind, and is base of all levels of our immune system functions. To experience apana vayu: sitting or standing relaxed with a straight spine, inhale breath to the crown of your head, exhale- feel the breath move from the crown of your head down to your tailbone, repeat.


Vyana Vayu: Located in the heart/lungs and flows through the entire body. Energy flows from the center of the body outwards. Governs circulation of all energy through the body- moving food, water, and oxygen, and keeps our emotions circulating helping to keep our mind clear and providing strength. Vyana vayu is an aid to the other vayus. To experience Vyana vayu: sitting or standing relaxed with a straight spine, inhale- feel breath radiate outward from the naval to the arms and legs. Exhale, feel the breath return back tot he naval, repeat. 


Udana Vayu: Located in the throat, flows in a circular motion around the head/neck. This vayu's function is to "hold us up", governing speech, self expression, and growth. Upward moving energy, provides transformation of life energy. This is our main positive energy in life helping us to develop more subtle bodies and evolve consciously. To experience udana vayu: sitting or standing relaxed with a straight spine, inhale-exhale feel breath circulating around throat/neck, repeat. 


Samana Vayu: Located in the abdomen with energy centered in the naval. Energy flows from the periphery of the body to the center. Works with digestion of all things in the body: gastrointestinal tract (food), lungs (oxygen), mind (experiences). To experience samana vayu: sitting or standing relaxed with a straight spine, inhale and exhale feeling the breath rise and fall in the front, side, and back of the torso.