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Five currents of prana and how they organize your physiology (5 Vayus )
Posted by olgakabel

I heard a theory (and I don’t know whether or not it’s true) that western medicine grew out of studying cadavers,
while in the eastern world cutting up the dead bodies was frowned upon. As a result, western medicine doesn’t
have a concept of vital energy in the body, while eastern physicians had developed sophisticated ideas about
the flow of human energy from having to study living-breathing human beings.

Whether or not that’s true, one thing is certain – yogis derived their way of understanding the world from
personal observation and experimentation, and the flow of prana (vital energy) was of major significance.

According to the yoga tradition there are five major currents of vital force that run through the body and
organize it’s physiological functioning. This is known as the Pancha Vayu Model.

[column size=”one-half”]If you think about your day-to-day functioning, you will see that it follows a predictable
pattern: you take things in (food, water, information, experiences); then you process them one way or the other;
then you absorb the nutrients or knowledge from the processing; you eliminate the stuff that you don’t need;
and as a result you grow, both physically and mentally. This is an example of your vayus (currents of prana) at
work.[/column]
[column size=”one-half” last=”true”]

00:00 00:00

[/column]
 

So whatever physiological issue you are experiencing, it can usually be understood in terms of vayu function:

Diarrhea? – Apana vayu is too strong.

Constipation? – Apana vayu is too weak.

Cold hands and feet? – Your Vyana vayu (responsible for circulation) is not strong enough.

Digestive issues? – Your Samana vayu is clogged up and not churning properly, etc.

Sometimes it’s a bit more complicated and can involve several vayus not getting along. But what does this
knowledge give you? It helps you design an appropriate practice to address a specific concern.

Here is a quick outline of the vayus and the practices that might help bring them back to balance.
PRANA vayu is responsible for the INTAKE. It moves downward
and inward, providing the basic energy that drives us in life. It is
primarily located in the head, lungs and heart. Imbalances in
Prana flow can show up as anxiety, fear, anger (head);
breathlessness, asthma, sleep apnea (lungs); heart palpitations or
stroke (heart).

Some of the ways to keep your Prana vayu in balance include:

Emphasis on Inhalation (to encourage taking things in)

Prana Breath (IN: Pull the energy in through the sensory openings
in the head (nose, eyes, ears, third eye); hold a moment; EX:
Release the energy through the third eye)
“Positive impressions”: contact with nature, visualizations, rituals
Sensory therapies: colors, sounds, aromas
Meditation generates prana in the mind
Wherever space and stillness is created, prana flows

APANA vayu is responsible for elimination. It moves down and

out and also helps retain things in. It is primarily located in the
lower abdomen and is associated with functions of
elimination, reproduction and bone health (regulating the
absorption and retaining of minerals). Imbalances in Apana
flow can show up as constipation/diarrhea, IBS; menstrual
problems, sexual issues; bone density issues.

Some of the ways to keep your Apana vayu in balance include:

Focus on Exhalation and Suspension of breath (holding after

exhale)
Apana Breath (IN: Pull the energy into the belly EX: Direct the
energy from the belly into the feet/ground; hold the air out for a
moment. Attention at the root chakra)
 Mula Bandha – like contraction of pelvic floor muscles
Nourishing foods, less junk

Vedas say: “Mortals eat food with Apana, while the gods eat food with Prana” (mortals are the physical tissues;
the immortals are the senses that receive nourishment directly through the sense openings in the head). While
the right food sustains Apana, right impressions are required to feed Prana. As we grow spiritually we must
learn to take in more prana to feed the spiritual powers within us. We need to control Apana, particularly the
sexual function, not to drain vital energy downward.

Apana, which is aligned with the force of gravity, moves downward resulting
in disease, aging, death and the diminution of consciousness. Prana, which is
aligned with the air and space elements, disperses upward through the mind
and senses. This leads to loss of mind-body coordination and devitalization.
Uniting these two primary vayus results in strengthening our energy along
with awakening our higher faculties. Yogic practices work to raise Apana up
to unite with Prana and draw Prana down to unite with Apana, which occurs in
the region of the navel – the pranic center of the body.

SAMANA vayu is responsible for processing things and moves

toward the center in a churning motion. It is concentrated
around the navel. It is responsible for digestion on all levels,
including the mind. It is associated with processes of
digestion, absorption and assimilation. Imbalances in Samana
vayu function include metabolism issues, poor digestion,
bloating, loss of appetite.

To get Samana vayu back on track you might try:

Focus on Exhalation with abdominal contraction

Suspension of breath (hold after Exhale)
Progressive abdominal contraction (Zip-up)
Uddiyana Bandha-like practices
Samana breath (IN: Imagine pulling the energy in toward your belly EX: Contract the abdomen, imagine the
energy becoming more concentrated; hold contraction for a moment.)
Kapalbhati (to stimulate agni)
 Quality food, fasting

VYANA vayu is responsible for distribution. It moves outward

in a circular, pulsating motion. It is located in the heart and
lungs and is involved in cardiac activity, circulation and
voluntary nervous system. Imbalances may show up as poor
circulation, blocked arteries, heart attack, edema; peripheral
neuropathy, symptoms of MS.

Practices that benefit Vyana vayu include:

Focus on Inhalation and expansion

Retention of breath (hold after Inhale)
Vyana Breath (Place the hands on your chest.
IN: Bring the arms out, expanding from the center out into the
periphery, filling up the lungs; hold 2 seconds; EX: Place the
hands back on your chest. Keep your focus at the heart center)
Using asanas as prana pumps
Heart opening routines
Prayer, ritual
Any activities that give you joy, touch your heart

Vyana and Samana vayus are opposite as forces of expansion and contraction. Vyana allows for differentiation
of elements and grants each their separate sphere of activity. Samana brings about the integration of the
elements and keeps them connected. Samana regulates agni (digestive fire) with fuel, which must burn evenly.
Vyana governs the movement of prana through the nadis, keeping them open, clear, clean and even in their
functioning.

UDANA vayu is responsible for growth. It moves upward and is

a result of other vayus working properly. It governs our ability
to stand, our speech, effort, enthusiasm and will. It is
concentrated near the diaphragm and throat and is responsible
for certain respiratory functions, speech and mental
functioning (by supporting the blood movement to the brain).
Imbalances in Udana vayu functioning include asthma,
emphysema; stuttering, voice hoarseness; depression, poor
memory, lack of creativity, direction or goals.

To help with Udana vayu functioning you can try:

Focus on Exhalation, particularly diaphragmatic breathing

Udana Breath (IN: Breathe in through the mouth, attention at
the throat chakra EX: Chant OM)
Chanting
Jalandhara Bandha-like movements
Working with all other Vayus
 

Now, let’s say you’ve conducted your interview with a

new client and it is clear to you that there is some
imbalance in her Apana vayu. The last thing you want to
do is pronounce: “Your Apana vayu seems to be
clogged, so we will be working on un-clogging it!”
Usually we want to keep our specialized lingo to
ourselves and use this knowledge as a guide in
designing a practice (while considering her other issues
as well). Once you get a clear vision of the location and
direction of movement of specific vayus, it becomes
much easier to understand and work with your clients’
physiological and mental-emotional issues.

Additional reading about vayus and 5 types of pranic breath

Yoga and Ayurveda: Self-healing and self-realization by David Frawley

Log in to your Sequence Wiz account to get the 5 Currents of Vital Energy
handout

Go to Forms/Handouts on your Sequence Wiz home screen and you will

find a pdf file of this handout. It’s yours to keep and/or give to your
students.

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September 3, 2014  4 Replies

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Susana on September 10, 2014 at 5:42 pm

I love your work!!

 Reply

olgakabel on September 10, 2014 at 6:11 pm

Thank you Susana!

 Reply

dwarakanath on March 28, 2015 at 7:32 pm

it is very well and authoritatively explained. you have brought respect to Indian Rushis. and you are
helping the man kind. DWARAKANATH , MYSORE, INDIA

 Reply

Tomas on October 20, 2016 at 12:31 am

Western medicine is based on physiology, the processes in the living body. The notion that it is based on
anatomy is a complimentary medicine myth.

 Reply

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