Prana Vayu- The vitality of life!

As long as the vayu (air and prana) remains in the body, that is called life. Death is when it leaves the body. Therefore, retain vayu.

Chapter 2, verse 3 The Hatha Pradipika

In our previous blogs we've shared with you an introduction to the 5 Prana Vayus, read here, and the functions and importance of Apana vayu and Samana Vayu. If you haven't read these blogs yet, jump back and begin there. 

In the above sloka we are told to retain vayu, vayu meaning ‘air’, but it does not refer to only the gross air in which we breathe. In the pranic body, prana vayu moves throughout the entire body like a wave of energy of an electric current. We feel prana in our fingers, our toes and even beyond our physical body in our aura. In the Upanishads, prana vayu is called “the in breath” and is associated with our inhalation. 

It is prana that animates life! 

Hatha yoga uses prana as the key to expand the awareness of consciousness and realise the Self (the self beyond the constraints of the ego). It is through the technique of retaining breath and allowing prana to remain in the body that redirects the vital life force from the lower to the higher centres.

Prana Vayu is situated in the heart space region flowing ‘inward’ and ‘upward’. Prana Vvayu is the most fundamental as it governs and directly feeds into all of the other vayus! When we are experiencing lack of prana vayu you might be feeling low in energy, suffer from a poor immune system or the inability to focus sharply on the task at hand. When Prana Vayu is pulsing strong through your being (not I dont use the word BODY) you have vitality, energy, vigour and the ability to become one pointed in your practice. 

Here are some ways in which you can cultivate greater prana vayu within;

Asana: Back bends such as cat / cow, camel, bridge, dancers pose. Raising your arms above your head in warrior, tadasana, chair pose.

Pranayama: Prana vayu is related to Ida Nadi which is known as the lunar channel and one for introverted experiences. Active this channel by blocking the right nostril and breathing in and out of the left.

Meditation: The yogis concentrate on prana as a point of light in the mid-eyebrow centre. When consciousness is completely absorbed in that light, the breath stops and prana is retained. 

For those interested in learning more about this The Hatha Pradipika is my go to source when it comes to these more traditional methods of practice. Learn from someone who has walked this path before, who knows the way and is able to guide us whilst we travel the inner terrain.