Prana, their Vayus, and Pranayama
The ancient yogis discovered that the manifest universe is permeated and sustained by a matrix of etheric life force energy called prana.
They found:
- a great pranic field, called maha prana, which sustains and creates universes
- a milder pranic field within human beings that makes up our subtle system.
There are five types of prana in the human subtle system known as the pancha pranas. Pancha literally means five.
The vitality of the pranas directly relates to our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
In this article, I outline the 5 types of prana, their vayus, and their effects on the physical body.
I conclude with a brief introduction to pranayama, why it’s used, it’s benefits, and how it aids in the “experiencing” of yoga.
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You can feel experiential knowledge to the core of your being, it becomes part of your make up, and it is the foundation of your wisdom.
A suggestion:
Don’t let the complexity of yogic philosophy overwhelm you. Let it wash over you and know that you can always refer to it later.
The best way forward:
The more you practice, the more you’ll understand. In time, an experiential knowledge of yoga will awaken in you and become your living reality.
The 5 Pranas and their effects on the body
Prana or Sthoola Prana, this is not the overall prana but is its own special category within the subtle body.
I know, it seems confusing that the first of the five prana is called prana but there’s two reasons:
- Firstly, because of its capacity to take vitality from the air and assimilate it for the human pranic field.
- Secondly, it’s given the term Sthoola Prana, meaning gross prana, because it operates on sustaining the human level of existence as compared to maha prana which sustains at the universal level.
Sthoola prana is located between the throat chakra and the heart chakra. Its vitality is crucial for the health of the respiratory system and organs of speech.
Its vitality also corresponds with your capacity to draw breath inside your lungs
Apana is located below the manipura chakra.
Its vitality relates to the health of the large intestines, kidneys, anus and genitals. It also acts as a force of expulsion through the rectum, nose, and mouth.
Samana is located between the heart chakra and the manipura chakra.
Its vitality is crucial for a healthy heart. It also sustains the healthy functioning of the entire digestive system as well as the body's ability to assimilate nutrients.
Samana vitality is also responsible for the health of the liver, and pancreas.
Udana is located above the throat centre and is responsible for the eyes, ears, nose, and all sensory receptors.
Vyana is the overall prana that permeates the entire body, it relates to all bodily movement and is the governor of all vital energies in the body.
Vyana activates and harmonises the limbs and their associated nerves, muscles, ligaments, and joints.
The 5 Vayus
The act of breathing enlivens our pranic system and generates corresponding vayus (vital breaths/winds) for each of the 5 pranas.
The Sanskrit term vayu is derived from the root “va” meaning “motion” or “that which flows.”
In Hindu philosophy, there are five elemental gods, Vayu is the god of wind.
Thus, vayus are both the action of movement and the medium by which the 5 pranas are carried throughout the subtle system.
Prana Vayu moves upwards from the anahata charkra towards the vishudhi chakra.
Apana Vayu moves downwards from the manipura chakra towards the muladhara chakra.
Samana Vayu moves from side to side like a pendulum at the maniprura chakra level. It acts to combine and balance the opposing forces of sthoola prana and apana.
Udana Vayu moves vital energy outwards towards the arms and legs. It’s also responsible for maintaining two, little known, pranic channels (nadis)
- One that connects the anahata to a sub chakra of the vishudhi seated on the ida nadi (Luna Channel).
- And one that connects the anahata chakra to the brain.
Vyana Vayu is the pranic reserve for the whole subtle system and is responsible for its overall health. You can think of vyana vayu as the circulatory system of the entire subtle body – it moves in all directions.
The importance of pranayama
The ancient yogis realised:
- oxygen is a major storehouse of pranic energy
- the human pranic field responds to breathing
Through the ages a multitude of breathing practices were developed for specific purposes.
The act of yogic breathing is called pranayama.
In the yogic sciences, pranayama practices are used to purify, expand and control the flow life force energy (prana) throughout the entire body.
The health benefits of pranayama:
- Enhanced health.
- Strong immune system.
- Balanced endocrine system.
- Dynamic physical energy.
- Increased mental clarity.
- Expanded sense of wellbeing and joy
There are many pranayama techniques that can be used for a vast array of outcomes.
For the modern yogic aspirant, however, it’s not necessary to go to the extreme to achieve great benefits.
I recommend to use a small number of cleansing, vitalising, and rhythmic breathing techniques.
Then, perfect the art of breath retention in combination with the three main bandhas (I outline these practices in our free - Breathing Course).
If you follow this type of pranayama program consistently, for an extended period, you’ll experience all the health benefits mentioned above.
However, there are subtle benefits to a consistent practice that have a deeper significance.
The Subtle Benefits of Pranayama:
- Cleanse the entire subtle system
- Vitalise the entire subtle system
- Stabilise the entire subtle system
As your pranic field is cleansed, vitalised, and becomes stabile, you will notice yourself being drawn towards the silence of meditation. This is because your attention becomes so subtle you begin to sense the stillness and peace of your inner spirit - Atman. (At this point is advisable to take your Self Realisation through or free - Meditation Course.)
You gain mastery over your Chita (attention) and develop the ability to guide it towards the Atman.
With this, the highest and most subtle meaning of Patanjali’s famous sloka is attained:
Sthira Sukham Asanam
Literal translation:
Sthira = Steady/Stable
Sukham = Comfortable
Asanam = Seat
The attention (Chita), being stabile (Sthira), is comfortably (Sukham) seated (Asanam) in the petals of the Anahata Chakra.
Thus, the Sat Chit Anand (Truth, Consciousness and Bliss) of Atman is revealed, giving you an experiential understanding of our your pure SELF through yogic awakening.
In plain terms, once the attention is immersed in stillness, it is possible to effortlessly meditate on the absolute bliss of your inner spirit.
In practical terms:
It's possible to use simple pranayama practices to clear your mind, relieve yourself of stress, and make yourself feel incredibly joyous.
