Normally, the basic factor that distinguishes a dwelling being from an inanimate object is named 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 device a way to regulate, increase, or redirect Prana. This science of working with Prana is named 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 commonly known as the “important life pressure” or “important power” of a dwelling being.
Solely when Prana flows steadily can the voluntary and involuntary capabilities of the physique happen. Respiratory, digestion, heartbeat, strolling, speaking, and even pondering all are ruled by the motion of Prana.
Nonetheless, Prana is just not restricted to dwelling 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 all the universe and pervades all of creation.
The literal Which means of Prana
In Sanskrit ‘Prana’ is spelled as ‘Praan‘ and its energy is 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 pressure “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 pressure that converts power into matter and matter into power.
The pressure which makes us capable of breathe, offers us a capability to assume, 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. For this reason Prana is known as the common pressure that sums up the overall of all forces within the universe.
To grasp the that means of prana, Swami Vivekananda explains Prana fantastically in his work. In line with him;
At the start of creation, there’s solely this Akasha (area). However by the ability of Prana, Akasha (area) manufactured into this universe.
Swami Vivekananda
Supply of Prana
The three important sources of prana are the solar, earth, and cosmos. Prana from these sources known as common prana and we get it in numerous types like meals, air, water, and daylight. Nonetheless, it’s mentioned, holy locations, expertise, contemplation on the supreme self additionally improve the Prana stage of the physique.
Whether or not you’re looking via eyes, respiratory via the nostril, sensing via the pores and skin, or ready 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 middle. The soul is the silent experiencer that perceives the bodily world via 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 components 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 examine 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 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 fancy system of organs and with a view to be sure that its correct functioning, the fixed move of prana is essential.
Prana flows within the physique via delicate power channels which in yogic terminology known as the Nadis. The Nadis system is pervaded in all the physique in such a manner that every one the minor Nadis are related from the three important Nadis Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. These 3 important nadis lies within the delicate physique alongside the spinal wire.
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 types power facilities i.e. 7 chakras.
When Prana flows via 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 totally 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 via it in a balanced method.
Prana flows within the type of Vayus
Yogis when noticed the capabilities, depth, and path 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 all the physique. For instance, in some areas, the path of move 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 move of prana is known as the Vayu. Vayu actually interprets as ‘Wind’. Just like the wind is a pressure behind shifting objects, Prana takes motion within the physique within the type of Vayu.
Based mostly on the move 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 key division of ‘Prana’ combinedly known as the Pancha Pranas.
1. Prana Vayu
The primary and most vital sort of Prana is prana vayu (To differentiate Prana from prana vayu, Prana is known as Mahaprana). The move of this vayu usually occurs inwardly and upward path.
On the bodily stage, prana vayu is chargeable for the working of the respiratory system together with the pumping of the guts, main 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 primary seat of this vayu. Subsequently imbalance within the amount or a blockage in prana vayu can result in despair, low-feeling & heart-related issues.
Additionally learn: Prana mudra to stability prana vayu
Poses To Steadiness Prana Vayu
To stability the prana vayu one can apply the Asana through 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 other way of prana vayu, i.e., within the downward path. Usually, pranayama is aimed to redirect Apana Vayu to the upper power centres and limit its pointless move out of the physique. Its location is in Muladhara Chakra.
The primary operate 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 chargeable for sexual stimulation, ejaculation & month-to-month menstrual cycle for ladies.
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, despair and negativity.
Additionally learn: Apana vayu mudra for coronary heart
Poses To Steadiness Apana Vayu
To stability 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 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 path, but it surely works solely within the navel area. Samana vayu focuses on the ‘fireplace factor’ of the physique and therefore, stimulates Manipura Chakra.
It’s chargeable 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 Steadiness 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 totally different organs of the physique.
For instance – Transferring or rolling the hand via the shoulder, rounding the pinnacle & kicking via 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 move half, shoulder to fingertips (fingers) & hips to the toe ideas (legs). The deficiency of Udana Vayu could make an individual paralyzed. Senses of the physique received’t work appropriately & it could result in imaginative and prescient issues and deafness.
Additionally learn: Udana mudra to stability udana vayu
Poses To Steadiness Udana Vayu
Poses that brings consciousness to the shoulder and head area are finest 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 pressure into the poor space of different pranas. It supplies obligatory vitamins to wanted organs by way of blood move.
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 via the circulatory system.
An imbalance in Vyana vayu can result in lack of coordination between sensory and motor neurons. It might probably additional leads to weak muscular actions or tight muscle groups. Additionally, by deficiency of this vayu, the physique begins sweating quite a bit and sudden horripilation by concern turns into a really identified 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 special 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 important prana vayus, upa-pranas works to carry that vayu in stability. Additionally, it’s chargeable for routine actions like eye blinking, yawning, sneezing, or burping, and so on.
- Naga – Releases the fuel 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 fuel within the type of Yawning. It balances samana vayu power by expelling the fuel after consuming.
- Dhananjaya – It regulates the opening and shutting of the guts valves and controls the fragmentation of a physique after demise.
5 Prana Vayus Chart
| 5 Pranas | Location | Operate | Course of Move | Chakra | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fireplace |
| Udana Vayu | Thorat | Metabolizing, speech, bodily progress | Upward | Throat Chakra | Ether |
| Vyana Vayu | Complete physique | Circulation | All path | Sacral Chakra | Water |