The Apana Vayu
The Apana Vayu is also known as the cleansing breath and focuses on the exhale, the flow is down and out. With every exhale you eliminate stale air from your lungs.
For the month of March we will be looking at poses and breathing exercises to boost your Apana energy. Releasing whatever is toxic or no longer needed in your life, helping you to nourish your body, emotions and relationships.
Detoxifying Plants
“Certain houseplants, especially quick-growing varieties with large leaf surfaces, enhance the quality of the indoor air you breathe by producing oxygen, filtering out environmental toxins and humidifying the atmosphere. A spider plant is particularly useful or try pot chrysanthemum, dracaena, dwarf date palm, Boston fern, golden pathos, nephthytis, English ivy, aloe vera, philodendron, pothos, rubber plant or weeping fig. Unless you sleep with an open window, remove plants from your bedroom at night, when they absorb oxygen.”
The Power of Breath - Swami Saradananda
He who breathes out with your out-breath [apana] is your true Self, the eternal essence which is within all things.
February Theme of the Month Recap
The Prana Vayu
Last month we looked at the first of the five forms of prana – the Prana Vayu. This is the vitalising prana that enables you to inhale air into your lungs but also relates to how we take in all forms of stimulation.
We looked at sun salutations, standing poses, warrior variations and side bends to feel the breath and the energy moving in and upwards towards the heart, chest and lungs to bring an energising and uplifting effect. The breathing practices we worked with were the three part breath, the breath of joy and Sama Vritti – the equal breath.
If you feel exhausted or stressed it may be that you need to draw in more prana in your life. Look at what activities you do to see what may be happening to your prana. Being in places that are rich in prana such as near the ocean, walking in a forest or being surrounded by natures beauty can help to energise us.