Prana Vayus

Prana burns as fire,
It shines as the sun,
It rains as the cloud,
It blows as the wind,
It crashes as the thunder in the sky,
It is the earth,
It has form,
It has no form,
Prana is immortality.
(source unknown)

If you came along to my yoga classes this week you would have experienced Energy Block Release 3 (Awaken the Heart) in a whole new way! Adding in an awareness of the Prana Vayus. Prana fills the body, it brings life to the body and is the life course flowing through our bodies. Pra = first or innate and Ana = tiniest or indivisible. Vayu = that which flows. The five Prana Vayus are sub doshas of Vata (air/space) dosha and influence not only physical health but also mental health and emotional well-being. In the yogic tradition the five Prana Vayus are:

Apana: downward movement of prana within the lower abdomen / letting go of unwanted energy / elimination.
Prana: upward movement of prana into the chest / filling up with energy / absorption.
Samana: horizontal movement across the abdomen / assimilating energy / balancing.
Udana: circular movement around the limbs and upward to throat and head / expression.
Vyana: movement throughout the entire body / connecting energy.

It is beneficial to have all the Vayus working well and smoothly for energy to be able to move and integrate throughout the body. The Vayus are potential movements of energy and don’t exist without us consciously using them. You can be aware of which Vayu might be more active by lying down and noticing the breath and where it is flowing freely and where it might feel constricted. You can bring your conscious attention to a Vayu, for example to activate apana bring your awareness to the base of the spine and be aware of the downward flow of energy. You can visualise the energy flowing downwards, as your energy is directable by thought. Taking the breath to specific location in the body can help the focus on the energy on the inhale and then you can direct the energy on an exhale. It can help to visualise the energy as a tangible form, notice what can see, sense, hear or feel, using the senses to bring awareness to this inner energy.

With each breath in we draw in prana, the life force or consciousness that rides the breath. With each exhale we release prana and apana. Dru Yoga with its practice of yoga asana’s (postures/sequences) coordinated with pranayama (breath) supports us to access and increase our awareness of the Prana Vayus. These five vital air currents within the body are intricately linked to our feelings, thoughts and bodily functions. Regular meditation and mindful breathing can build pranic sensitivity and support us to tune into the subtle energetics of yoga. Another way to tap into and deepen awareness of energy flow and increase prana in the physical body is to develop breath and movement coordination.

We can also add muscle awareness and/or engagement as we practice our postures and sequences. Isometric muscle engagement involves maintaining same length of muscles by adding a little firmness or tone. For example coming into a squat and holding a static contraction of the leg muscles. Isotonic muscle engagement means moving muscles with same tone or force. For example pushing the arms/hands forward as if pushing through water. In our activations when we shake or tap I often mention the fascia or connective tissue which scientists are learning more about all the time. It is thought that the fascia could be the largest ‘organ’ in our body and might even be a conductor of light around the body in structures known as tubules. Your body is literally full of light or prana! Fascia becomes supple when moved, but stiffens when sedentary—think about how your body feels upon waking as opposed to the busiest time of your day. This is why it’s important to remain active and mobile throughout our lives—to keep our connective tissue fluid and healthy.

So join me to experience the Dru difference bringing a focus on the subtle energetics of yoga – whether it be in postures, sequences, breath-work, relaxation or meditation.

“When prana flows freely, the body also becomes supple.”
Swami Muktibodhananda

Sources:
Dru Yoga Breath Coach Course Manual (2024)
Dru Yoga Subtle Energetics Course Notes (2024)
Lauren Walker, Energy Medicine Yoga (2014)
Indu Arora, Yoga: Ancient Heritage, Tomorrow’s Vision (2019)