The Prana Vayu

This month we will look at the Five Vayus again which relate to the energy that moves and flows through us in five different directions and is mentioned in the classical yoga text The Upanishads.

The Vayus are generated by the breathing process and this helps us to control prana – which is the life force energy that permeates everything in existence. The Vayus are the vital airs that work within different areas of the body, and work with different physical and subtle activities.

They have different directions of flow and different functions. When they are functioning correctly they allow us to live a healthy well balanced life through the body and the mind. They help to nourish the organs and protect them. We will explore going back to the very first Vayu (as we skipped forward for January) which is called the Prana Vayu.

Prana Vayu focuses on the in breath and is an inward moving force. Its energy is felt through the chest region and we experience how the lungs and heart take in new energy, opening us up for all the possibilities in life and help us to propel us forward and up.

Prana Vayu is said to enter the body through the mouth but also, the nose, the ears, and the eyes are also points where energy is drawn in. There can also be some focus around the third eye where some feel the energy naturally drawn here.

To get the Prana Vayu energy flowing we will look at poses and movements that focus on lifting, lengthening and opening the upper body, back bends, and shoulder/chest openers. Remembering to trust the breath, breathing fully with both the inhale and exhale and not holding the breath in a pose, helps the energy to flow smoothly. We become aware of how the body expands with every inhale and become consciously aware of that as we move. It provides us with the basic energy that drives us in life.

Breathing is a direct means of absorbing prana and the manner in which we breathe sets off pranic vibrations which influence our entire being.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Swami Muktibodhananda

January Theme of the Month Recap

The Samana Vayu and The Five Tibetan Rites

We skipped forward in the Five Vayus to the Samana Vayu, and used The Five Tibetans as the focus of our practice through January to help with getting over Xmas, as the five postures really do work the areas the Samana Vayu is situated.

These Five Tibetans are said to be over 2,500 years old, and are ideally meant to be increased in repetition and intensity over a period of time, and can be of real benefit if practiced daily.

Have a look at the video above for a full recap on January’s classes.