Yoga calls the vital energy that keeps us alive prana. This energy moves in five different ways, the vayus or “winds”. Each has a direction and a function.
- Prana vayu: in the chest and head. Moves energy inwards: inhaling, taking in food, impressions and ideas.
- Apana vayu: in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Moves energy down and out: elimination, letting go, grounding.
- Samana vayu: around the navel. Concentrates and digests: assimilating food, air and experiences.
- Udana vayu: in the throat and head. Moves energy upwards: voice, expression, growth.
- Vyana vayu: throughout the body. Distributes energy from the centre to the periphery and coordinates everything.
Balancing the vayus
When the vayus flow in harmony, we feel vital, centred and clear. When one dominates or gets blocked, imbalances appear: difficulty letting go, expressing ourselves or digesting what happens to us.
Asana, pranayama and bandhas work directly with these directions. For example, grounding poses and forward folds support apana; chest openers, prana; twists, samana. A complete practice touches them all.
Illustration: Tamilmama, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
