An introduction to the The 5 Prana Vayus - The energetics of asana
As practitioners of yoga, what is it that keeps us showing up on the mat and in life?
What keeps us continuing on the practice of yoga?
Is it how yoga makes us feel and changes the way we view the world?
Is it the changes we feel in the mind and in our lives?
I’m sure you’re nodding along…
Many of us seek out a yoga practice with the intention of becoming more calm and more relaxed… but how does this actually happen? How can you intelligently practice yoga to move yourself towards steadiness and calm? I’m sure there’s times you’ve been to a yoga class and left feeling scattered, more busy or overwhelmed and then there’s been times when you have felt a deep sense of ease and stability… There’s a reason for that.
When you practice asana and create different shapes with your body, you create an impact that reaches far beyond the physical body. And, if your hope is to practice yoga to become more peaceful and steady within the layer of your mind, then your practice must have more depth and intelligence to it.
With more awareness comes a greater understanding of what you need at any moment in your life and what you need from your yoga practice. And as a teacher, with great awareness comes a greater ability to sequence practices that truly support and enhance your students' lives. As a teacher, you are not there to simply fill mats in your class, have fun or entertain your students. You are there to guide your students towards greater awareness of themselves and their lives, so that they can integrate sustainable change and transformation in their life long after they’ve left the studio.
At its core, Hatha yoga is much more than categories of poses or techniques. It is an artful system that supports you in maintaining, managing and directing Prana, the vital life force that pulses through all manifest reality. By learning to become sensitive to prana, you attain a great ability to move and direct the flow of prana through the channels of the subtle body. At times your desire and need may be to feel more invigorated and revitalised, other times you may need more grounding and stability.
The Hatha yoga tradition speaks to the five movements and functions of prana known as the Prana Vayus (vayu means winds). These five vayus are;
Apana Vayu
Samana Vayu
Prana Vayu
Udana Vayu
Vyana Vayu
Here is a quick guide for the five vayus;
Apana governs the descending force of Pran and is located in the pelvic floor.
Samana is the assimilating and digestive force of Prana, located in the abdomen.
Prana is the internalising and energising force of Prana located in the heart.
Udana is the ascending force of prana located in the throat.
Vyana is the expanding force of prana and this vayu is responsible for the integration of all the vayus and governs the entire body.
Mastering asana, whether that be teaching or practicing is not about what your body can do, but HOW does that shape (asana) impact your body. Knowing how each pose affects the vayus, your physiology and your mind is the foundation of a successful and intelligent practice. Sequencing a yoga class or practice that is purposeful and impactful depends on knowing what the poses do (function) not what they look like.
If you would like to learn more about the vayus we will be releasing more detailed blogs on each one over the coming weeks. As a teacher, this knowledge is HOW you can take yourself and your students beyond a shallow practice. This is how you create depth, embodiment and integration both on and off the mat.
When prana moves, chitta (the mental forces) moves. When prana is without movement, chitta is without movement. By this (steadiness of prana) the yogi attains steadiness and should thus restrain the vayu (air) - Chapter 2, Verse 2 - The Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Love,
Holly x