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

Normally, the basic component that distinguishes a residing being from an inanimate object is called Prana.

For simplicity, Prana is usually 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, increase, or redirect Prana. This science of working with Prana is called Pranayama.

What’s Prana?

In line with the yoga custom, Prana is the important power within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it sustains life, Prana is usually known as the “important life power” or “important power” of a residing being.

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

Nonetheless, Prana will not be restricted to residing 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 your entire universe and pervades all of creation.

The literal Which means of Prana

In Sanskrit ‘Prana’ is spelled as ‘Praan‘ and its energy 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 power “which brings forth the motion”. And Prana Shakti is all in regards to the manifestation which Prana brings; like life, matter, ideas, and many others. It’s the transformative power that converts power into matter and matter into power.

The power which makes us capable of breathe, offers us a capability to assume, lets us transfer physique limbs freely is the power of Prana. Furthermore, each different motion that’s occurring in all of the objects of this universe is the power of Prana. This is the reason Prana known as the common power that sums up the full of all forces within the universe.

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

At the start of creation, there may be solely this Akasha (house). However by the ability of Prana, Akasha (house) 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 kinds 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 way of eyes, respiration by way of the nostril, sensing by way of the pores and skin, or in a position to think about an occasion – Prana is working behind each delicate mechanism of the physique.

In line with Hindu philosophy, in our physique, Prana is alleged 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 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 power (prana-shakti) combines the 5 parts to create the thoughts, senses, and the physique. On this manner, prana is superior to the physique & thoughts, and getting management of Prana offers one management over the thoughts as properly.

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 assume, focus, meditate, recite a mantra, or soften in devotion solely with the assistance of ‘prana-shakti’, in the identical manner because the Energy to create the universe resting in Shiva is solely the result of his Shakti.

How Prana Flows?

Our physique is a posh system of organs and with the intention to be certain that its correct functioning, the fixed stream of prana is essential.

Prana flows within the physique by way of delicate power channels which in yogic terminology known as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in your entire physique in such a manner that each one the minor Nadis are related 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 Foremost 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 kinds 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 can be unfold over the entire physique. As quickly as a chakra is absolutely crammed up with Prana, it begins directing prana shakti in all potential instructions by revolving on its axis. It’s known 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 capabilities, 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 your entire physique. For instance, in some areas, the course of stream of Prana is upward (in chest, throat) whereas in different areas, it strikes downwards.

With a view to perceive Prana extra precisely, yogis divided Prana into 5 vayus.

What are Vayus?

The motion or the stream of prana known as the Vayu. Vayu actually interprets as ‘Wind’. Just like the wind is a power behind transferring objects, Prana takes motion within the physique within the type of Vayu.

Primarily based on the stream of Prana in a specific 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 main division of ‘Prana’ combinedly known as the Pancha Pranas.

1. Prana Vayu

The primary and most essential kind of Prana is prana vayu (To tell apart Prana from prana vayu, Prana known as Mahaprana). The stream of this vayu usually occurs inwardly and upward course.

On the bodily stage, prana vayu is answerable for the working of the respiratory system together with the pumping of the center, major inhalation-exhalation course of. Aside 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 alleged the primary 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 follow 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 course. Typically, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the upper power centres and prohibit its pointless stream out of the physique. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.

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

Main working space of apana vayu is core of the pelvic ground 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 deal with the poses which domesticate consciousness close to the foundation chakra, For instance – Tree Pose, Sure Angle Pose, Locust Pose, and many others.

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 component’ 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 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 many others.

4. Udana Vayu

Udana means ‘Fly’ (fly in sense motion). With the assistance of Udana Vayu solely, you possibly can transfer the totally different organs of the physique.
For instance – Transferring or rolling the hand by way of the shoulder, rounding the pinnacle & kicking by way of legs. All these potential 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. Aside 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 gained’t work appropriately & it may well 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 many others.

5. Vyana Vayu

Vyana is the fifth and most built-in kind of prana. The principle perform of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve power into the poor space of different pranas. It gives needed vitamins to wanted organs through blood stream.

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 way of the circulatory system.

An imbalance in Vyana vayu can result in lack of coordination between sensory and motor neurons. It will possibly additional ends in weak muscular actions or tight muscular tissues. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating so much 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 distinct a part of the physique.

Upaprana

Other than the 5 main vayus, there are 5 minor pranas additionally, known as Upaprana. 5 upa pranas are Naga, Kurma, Krikala, Devdatta, and Dhananjaya.

At any time when there comes blockages in 5 major 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 many others.

1. Naga – Releases the fuel that causes blockage in Prana and Apana Vayu within the type of burping, vomit, hiccups, and many others.
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 fuel within the type of Yawning. It balances samana vayu power by expelling the fuel after consuming.
5. Dhananjaya – It regulates the opening and shutting of the center valves and controls the fragmentation of a physique after demise.

5 Prana Vayus Chart