Usually, the elemental ingredient that distinguishes a residing being from an inanimate object is named Prana.
For simplicity, Prana is typically known as the “breath” or the “air we inhale.” Nevertheless, for a yogi, understanding Prana goes far past simply breath.
Yogis view the breath as a instrument a way to regulate, develop, or redirect Prana. This science of working with Prana is named Pranayama.
What’s Prana?
In response to the yoga custom, Prana is the very important vitality within the physique that retains us alive. As a result of it sustains life, Prana is usually known as the “very important life drive” or “very important vitality” of a residing being.
Solely when Prana flows steadily can the voluntary and involuntary capabilities of the physique happen. Respiratory, digestion, heartbeat, strolling, speaking, and even considering all are ruled by the motion of Prana.
Nevertheless, Prana isn’t 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 facility of the Supreme Self that manifests the complete 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 drive “which brings forth the motion”. And Prana Shakti is all concerning the manifestation which Prana brings; like life, matter, ideas, and so on. It’s the transformative drive that converts vitality into matter and matter into vitality.
The drive which makes us in a position to breathe, offers 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. This is the reason Prana known as the common drive that sums up the overall of all forces within the universe.
To know the that means of prana, Swami Vivekananda explains Prana superbly in his work. In response to him;
Firstly of creation, there’s solely this Akasha (house). However by the facility of Prana, Akasha (house) manufactured into this universe.
Swami Vivekananda
Supply of Prana
The three foremost sources of prana are the solar, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources known as common prana and we get it in several types like meals, air, water, and daylight. Nevertheless, it’s mentioned, 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 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 alleged 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 parts to create the thoughts, senses, and the physique. On this method, prana is superior to the physique & thoughts, and getting management of Prana offers one management over the thoughts as effectively.
Additionally Learn: Panch Tatva: 5 Components of Physique
As talked about in a research from “Institute for Consciousness Analysis, researchers mentioned;
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 fancy system of organs and in an effort to be certain that its correct functioning, the fixed circulate of prana is essential.
Prana flows within the physique by way of delicate vitality channels which in yogic terminology known as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in the complete physique in such a method that every one the minor Nadis are related from the three foremost Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 foremost nadis lies within the delicate physique alongside the spinal twine.
Additionally Learn: The Three Primary 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 types vitality 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 attainable 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 completely different area of the physique, Prana act in another way. It isn’t the identical all through the 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.
To be able to perceive Prana extra precisely, yogis divided Prana into 5 vayus.
What are Vayus?
The motion or the circulate of prana 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.
Primarily based 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 key division of ‘Prana’ combinedly known as the Pancha Pranas.
1. Prana Vayu
The primary and most necessary sort of Prana is prana vayu (To differentiate Prana from prana vayu, Prana known as Mahaprana). The circulate of this vayu typically occurs inwardly and upward course.
On the bodily degree, prana vayu is accountable 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 guts chakra is alleged 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 stability prana vayu
Poses To Stability Prana Vayu
To stability the prana vayu one can observe the Asana by which the chest area is concerned majorly. Some examples of asana to stability 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 vitality centres and limit its pointless circulate out of the physique. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.
The primary 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. Aside from this, Apana Vayu can also be accountable 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 stability apana vayu, one ought to deal with the poses which domesticate consciousness close to the foundation chakra, For instance – Tree Pose, Certain 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 course, but it surely works solely within the navel area. Samana vayu focuses on the ‘hearth ingredient’ of the physique and therefore, stimulates Manipura Chakra.
It’s accountable for vitality 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 stability 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 may transfer the completely 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 attainable due to Udana Vayu. This very important vitality 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. 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 received’t work appropriately & it might probably result in imaginative and prescient issues and deafness.
Additionally learn: Udana mudra to stability udana vayu
Poses To Stability Udana Vayu
Poses that brings consciousness to the shoulder and head area are greatest to stability 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 primary operate of vyana vayu is to facilitate reserve drive into the poor space of different pranas. It gives 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 could possibly additional ends in weak muscular actions or tight muscle tissue. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating so much and sudden horripilation by worry turns into a really identified 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
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.
Each time there comes blockages in 5 foremost prana vayus, upa-pranas works to deliver that vayu in stability. Additionally, it’s accountable for routine actions like eye blinking, yawning, sneezing, or burping, and so on.
- Naga – Releases the gasoline that causes blockage in Prana and Apana Vayu within the type of burping, vomit, hiccups, and so on.
- Kurma – This upa-prana controls the eyelid winking and retains eyes moisturize.
- Krikala – It induces sneezing to clear the blockages within the respiratory system.
- Devdatta – This up-prana releases the gasoline within the type of Yawning. It balances samana vayu vitality by expelling the gasoline after consuming.
- Dhananjaya – It regulates the opening and shutting of the center valves and controls the fragmentation of a physique after demise.
5 Prana Vayus Chart
| 5 Pranas | Location | Operate | Path of Stream | Chakra | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prana Vayu | Chest, Eyebrows centre | Inspiration, swallowing meals | Upward | Coronary heart chakra | Air |
| Apana Vayu | Pelvis | Elimination, outward motion | Downward | Root Chakra | Earth |
| Samana Vayu | Navel | Assimilation | Round inward | Photo voltaic Plexus Chakra | Hearth |
| Udana Vayu | Thorat | Metabolizing, speech, bodily development | Upward | Throat Chakra | Ether |
| Vyana Vayu | Entire physique | Circulation | All course | Sacral Chakra | Water |