Yoga is more than just flexibility or strength in a posture. At the core, it is the management of prana, the vital life force that animates all levels of our being. Prana allows the body to move and the mind to think. It’s the intelligence coordinating the 5 senses and the manifestation of our higher selves. By becoming more aware of prana, we can enhance and direct its flow through the practices of yoga. Energy follows attention. With our attention we are able to invigorate the body and mind, develop expanded inner awareness opening the door to higher states of consciousness.

In yoga tradition, the five movements and function of prana is described as the Vayus which literally means ‘winds’. The five vayus govern different areas of the body and different physical as well as subtle activities. When they function in a harmonious manner, health and vitality of body and mind are enhanced.

1) Prana Vayu, the most fundamental, governs the heart center and head. The function is responsible for forward moving air, including all that we take into our bodies, inhaling, propulsion, food, perceptions, emotions. Its flow receives into the heart center, lifts, and lengthens the upper body.

Some examples of Prana-Vayu are heart opening postures like cobra, bridge, camel, and bow.

2) Apana Vayu governs the pelvis- the lower center of the body. The function governs elimination, digestion, ego-downward and outward flow of energy within our bodies and the downward moving breath. The air that moves away.

Some examples of postures activating Apana Vayu are grounding down in standing postures, sitting postures, twists, forward and backward bends where the pelvis is stabilized and the pose is initiated deep within the lower body.

3) Udana-Vayu is situated in the throat and it has a circular flow around the neck/throat and head. Udana-Vayu translates to “that which carries upward,” and its flow moves upward from the heart to the head, and brain. It functions to “hold us up” and governs speech, self-expression, and growth, being key to our spiritual practice.

Examples of this Vayu are postures which bring circulation to shoulders, head and neck such as inversions and back bending poses.

4) 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- creating balance and equinimity.

Examples of this Vayu are twisting and core strengthening postures.

5) 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 throughout the body and assists the other Vayus with their functions. Its expression is alignment.

Examples of this circulation and flow of prana are sun salutation, Vinyasa flow, whole body movement such as downward facing dog, side plank.

Understanding these complex subtle energies can be difficult and confusing. But by consciously using awareness and breath in our yoga practice, one can have a greater understanding of how the Vayus circulate within the body.

Prana Vayu -using our breath we can consciously receive our breath thru the heart center.

Apana Vayu our downward moving breath connecting and grounding into the earth- just like when we are grounded in our asana.

Udana Vayu -using our breath ascending from the heart center to crown. Our spine is straight- our thoughts and feelings do not conflict but are aligned.

Samana Vayu- at the navel this is an equalizing breath and we can slowly inhale to the count of 4- then exhale to the count of 4. You may want to pause at the top of this breath as well as the bottom.

Vyana Vayu- integrates and balances all of the vayus referring to the diffusive breath-inhaling and then exhaling- seeing the breath circulating through out the entire body in complete balance-ust as we are in a pose in perfect balance and alignment.

We have the ability to consciously enhance our vitality and well-being by using breath and yoga asana as we become aware of the functions of the energies within the body and are related to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self. This multidimensional system is limitless.