Last month we looked at some of the themes from the Buddha’s teachings. I hope that you all gained a little knowledge of how we work with those concepts through our practice of yoga and then are able to put them into practice as we go about our everyday life.
Living a healthy, well-balanced life is not just about the physical body but being about to deal more effectively with the stresses and challenges in life. What goes on in the mind is just as important as looking after our physical body.
For the next five weeks we will be looking at a new theme - the Five Vayus. It’s a really interesting theme which I taught four years ago and it will be great to reintroduce it again to those who remember it and those who have never heard of it before.
According to ancient yoga texts, the energy or life force flowing through the world and each of us, is called Prana. Prana is carried throughout our bodies through the vayus which are responsible for transferring and channeling this subtle energy. Prana is broken down into five smaller units which are known as Prana Vayus and they move, direct and control the main Prana within our body.
The vayus make up part of our subtle energy body. This body cannot be seen or touched but our physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being is dependant on the balance between them all. Certain yoga poses and breath work can help us to activate the vayus. Using our yoga practice, we can start to look at the way energies move in our own body.
June - The Five Vayus
Week 1 - Prana Vayu
Prana Vayu is situated in the heart, and its energy pervades the chest region. Prana Vayu translates as “forward moving air,” and its flow is inwards and upward. It nourishes the brain and the eyes and governs the reception of all things: food, air, senses, and thoughts.
Week 2 - Apana Vayu
Apana Vayu is situated in the pelvic floor and its energy pervades the lower abdomen. Apana Vayu translates as “the air that moves away,” and its flow is downwards and out. Its energy nourishes the organs of digestion, reproduction, and elimination.
Week 3 - Udana Vayu
Udana Vayu is situated in the throat and it has a circular flow around the neck and head. Udana Vayu translates to “that which carries upward,” and its flow moves upward from the heart to the head, five senses, and brain. It functions to “hold us up” and governs speech, self-expression, and growth.
Week 4 - Samana Vayu
Samana Vayu is situated in the abdomen with its energy centered in the navel. Samana Vayu translates to “the balancing air” and its flow moves from the periphery of the body to the center. It governs the digestion and assimilation of all substances: food, air, experiences, emotions, and thoughts.
Week 5 - Vyana Vayu
Vyana Vayu is situated in the heart and lungs and flows throughout the entire body. Vyana Vayu translates as “outward moving air,” and its flow moves from the center of the body to the periphery. It governs the circulation of all substances throughout the body and assists the other Vayus with their functions.
Yoga is not just repetition of few postures - it is more about the exploration and discovery of the subtle energies of life.
This Month’s Music
Here’s the usual selection of music that Vicky has been listening to this month.
| Artist | Title |
|---|---|
| Fred Westra | The Road To Peace |
| Aroshanti | Stillness Of Mind |
| Tejal Yann | Spiritual Awakening |
| Ryan Richko | Yin Yoga II |
| Anugama | The Empty Sky |
| Essie Jain | Rest |
| Deuter | Uno |