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

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 dead bodies was frowned upon. As a result, western medicine doesn’t have a concept of vital energy in the body, while Eastern physicians have 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 its physiological functioning. This is known as the Pancha Vayu Model.

If you think about your day-to-day functioning, you will see that it follows a predictable pattern: you take things in (food, water, air, 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.

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.

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Prana vayu

PRANA vayu is responsible for the INTAKE. It moves downward and inward, providing the essential 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

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Apana Vayu

APANA vayu is responsible for ELIMINATION. It moves down and out and also helps retain things. 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, and 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

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Prana – Apana balance

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 a 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.

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Samana vayu

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, and 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 the contraction for a moment.)
• Kapalbhati (to stimulate agni)
• Quality food, fasting

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Vyana vayu

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 the voluntary nervous system. Imbalances may show up as poor circulation, blocked arteries, heart attack, edema, peripheral neuropathy, and 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 for 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

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Samana – Vyana balance

Vyana and Samana vayus are opposite forces of expansion and contraction. Vyana allows for the 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.

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Udana vayu

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

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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 client’s physiological and mental-emotional issues.

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Additional reading about vayus and 5 types of pranic breath

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