Full Answer
What is vayu body?
Vayu translates to "wind," and our vayus are responsible for transferring energy throughout the body. Although vayus are subtle, they have a huge impact on how our bodies feel, so learning to move with their natural rhythms is vital for our health.
What does vayu mean in Ayurveda?
the air-forceVayu or Vata is the air-force, the central government and control force of the human body. It is the natural pacemaker from where all the activities initiate and keep going. Vayu is one of the 3 doshas, the basic humoral elements controlling the functions of the body.
What are the vayus in yoga?
What are the Vayus? The Sanskrit word Vayu translates as “wind,” and the root 'va' translates to “that which flows.” Thus a Vayu is an energetic force that moves in a specific direction to control bodily functions and activities. The ancient yogis found 49 distinct types of Vayus in the body.
What are the types of vayu?
Pranayama: The Five VayusPrana vayu (inward moving breath)Apana vayu (downward moving breath)Samana vayu (equalising breath)Udana vayu (ascending breath)Vyanu vayu (diffusive breath)Together in Practice.
What is Vayu called in English?
/vāyu/ nf. air uncountable noun. Air is the mixture of gases which forms the earth's atmosphere and which we breathe.
What element is Vayu?
element airThe element air, called “vayu” in Sanskrit, is the second of the five great elements (pancha mahabhutus). It comes second because it evolves from ether. As the potential inherent within space becomes active, the result is air. The element of air represents the capacity for motion or kinetic energy.
Is prana a breath or energy?
Although prana is related to the breath, it is not the breath. Prana is an energy that pulses through the body along a network of subtle body channels. Similar to the central nervous system, the channels of the subtle body, or nadis, connect form and mind and act as a conduit for energy, prana.
What are the 5 types of prana?
Prana is divided into ten main functions: The five Pranas – Prana, Apana, Udana, Vyana and Samana – and the five Upa-Pranas – Naga, Kurma, Devadatta, Krikala and Dhananjaya. Pranayama, one of the eight limbs of yoga, is intended to expand prana.
How do you balance vayu?
Udana vayu can be balanced using Nadi Shodhana and Ujjayi pranayama, as well as licorice for an herbal remedy.
What is vayu problem?
It can block up the nutrition process and hamper the nourishment to the tissues leading to their depletion. Thus, Vayu is a prime culprit in the degeneration processes taking place in the body. Vayu can also cause many psychiatric diseases by disturbing the functions of mind.
Which vayu does not leave the body even after death?
Udana vayuIn brain stem death Prana vayu and Udana vayu leaves the body but other three Vayus remains and controls the GI, circulatory and excretory functions. Also, the Udana Vayu will not leave the body in hypothermia. The Vedic description comes in Bhagavad Gita, Chandogya Upanishad, Prashna Upanishad and Katha Upanishad.
Is prana vayu an oxygen?
Fresh air is inhaled and reaches the lungs, contains oxygen ( Prana vayu) which enters the blood stream and is delivered to the cells in the active tissues, cells use the oxygen to produce energy. Thus breath is a source of vital energy. Prana is the melody of life.
How many vayus are there in prana?
According to ancient yogis, prana is subdivided into five vayus. Being aware of the vayu can help an individual obtain optimum benefits from yogic practices as the movement of prana is the essence of yogic practice.
What is the name of the Hindu god of the wind?
Vayu is a Sanskrit word meaning "wind.". Vayu (or Vayu Deva) is also the name of the Hindu god of the wind. In Hindu tradition, the five elements - fire, earth, water, air (wind) and ether - are represented as gods. According to ancient yogis, prana is subdivided into five vayus.
Which vayu is active in the pelvic and lower abdominal areas?
Apana vayu - Active in the pelvic and lower abdominal areas. Improves digestion, elimination and reproduction. Vyana vayu - Governs the heart and lungs, and supports the function of other vayus. Udana vayu - Situated in the throat region. Promotes self-expression and growth.
Why is it important to balance the vayus?
Balancing the vayus while practicing yoga poses not only promotes physical strength, but also helps the practitioner move closer to their spiritual aspirations.
What is the Vayu?
The prana vayu is an inward-moving force that brings vital energy to our bodies and minds. Everything we take in—from the air we inhale to the food we consume and the thoughts and emotions that we feel—is brought into us with the prana vayus. It is situated in the head and centered in the third eye, and its energy pervades the chest region, allowing our heart and lungs to take in new life energy. This vayu allows us to see the world in all its glory and motivates us to see and take action for all of life's possibilities.
What is the vayu in the body?
The udana vayu is an ascending force, including poses that direct energy to the head, neck, and upper back, and poses that turn the body upside down are good for activating the udana.
How to get your vayu flowing?
Practicing pranayama and heart-opening asanas will get your prana vayus flowing. If you want to connect with your prana vayu, practice bow pose, camel pose, cobra pose, dancer pose, and bridge pose.
What is the Apana Vayu?
The apana vayu governs the downward and outward flow of energy in our bodies. Apana energy nourishes the organs of digestion and reproduction, it is situated in the pelvic floor, and its energy nourishes the organs of digestion and reproduction.
How to activate your apana vayu?
To activate your apana vayu, focus on rooting down in standing poses such as forward folds, which will bring a release to the mind and fill it with a sense of purpose.
What is the energy that moves through the body?
There is a pure yogic energy that moves through the world and flows in each and every one of us. This energy is called prana, and it is carried through our bodies through something called a vayu. Vayu translates to "wind," and our vayus are responsible for transferring energy throughout the body.
Where does the Samana Vayu meet?
The samana vayu unites the upward energy of prana and the downward energy of apana. Here, the inner winds of the upper and lower body meet at the abdomen. Like a whirlpool of converging energy, our samana vayu churns around the navel while digesting all substances: food, air, experiences, emotions, and thoughts.
What are the Vayus?
The Sanskrit word Vayu translates as “wind,” and the root ‘va’ translates to “that which flows.” Thus a Vayu is an energetic force that moves in a specific direction to control bodily functions and activities. The ancient yogis found 49 distinct types of Vayus in the body. Only five of the main Vayus or Pancha Pranas are important for yoga practitioners to understand. These five primary currents of vital force are Prana-Vayu, Apana-Vayu, Samana-Vayu, Udana-Vayu, and Vyana-Vayu.
What is the 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. This Vayu’s action is circulation, its expression is alignment, and its associated chakras and elements are Svadisthana and water. A weak or dysfunctional Vyana-Vayu can create feelings of separation and alienation and can create disjointed, fluctuating and rambling thoughts. Poor circulation, impaired nerve stimulation, skin disorders, and nervous breakdowns can be related to disturbed Vyana-Vayu.
How many types of Vayus are there in the body?
The ancient yogis found 49 distinct types of Vayus in the body. Only five of the main Vayus or Pancha Pranas are important for yoga practitioners to understand. These five primary currents of vital force are Prana-Vayu, Apana-Vayu, Samana-Vayu, Udana-Vayu, and Vyana-Vayu. Viewing ads supports YogaBasics.
How does Vayu affect the body?
Their subtle energetic movements affect and influence our physical, emotional and mental health and wellness. If a Vayu becomes imbalanced it can create disharmony through the whole energetic system of the body or can negatively affect its associate chakra or the organs linked to its location.
What is the Vayu in the heart?
It nourishes the brain and the eyes and governs the reception of all things: food, air, senses, and thoughts. This Vayu is the fundamental energy in the body and directs and feeds into the four other Vayus. This Vayu’s action is crystallization, its expression is cyclical, and its associated chakras and elements are Anahata and air. When this Vayu is weak, the mind cannot focus and experiences excess worry. Shortness of breath, anxiety, low energy or a poor immune system can be related to disturbed Prana-Vayu.
What are the five vayus?
The five Vayus of prana all have very subtle yet distinct energetic qualities, including specific functions and directions of flow.
How to experience Samana-Vayu?
• To experience Samana-Vayu: Close your eyes, sit or stand with a long spine and relaxed body, and as you inhale and exhale feel the breath rising and falling in the front, sides, and back of the torso.
What are vayus and their relationship with Prana
When you start yoga, you will soon be confronted with the concept of vayus without even realizing it. First of all, we need to know what Prana is. We explain this clearly in our article on Pranayama, which we recommend.
The five main vayus (detailed explanation)
As explained before, there are 5 main vayus, but there are actually many more, 49 in all. What characterizes them is simply the sense of their movement and the area they are in. Here are the 5 main vayus:
How to stimulate Vayus during yoga practice?
If your vayus are unbalanced, it can cause some malfunctions. Fortunately, yoga is here to help you. Especially mudras, are excellent to help you guide this breath. Each vayus is associated with an area, and you just need to learn about the postures that work these specific areas.
How do the Prana Vayu and the Apana Vayu work together?
The prana vayu and apana vayu work together by moving in opposite ways – the prana vayu receives while the apana vayu eliminates – and are considered the two most important of the five vayus.
Why is it important to be aware of the prana vayu?
Being aware of the prana vayu can help an individual obtain optimum benefits from yogic practices as the movement of prana throughout the body is the essence of yoga.
What is Prana Vayu?
Definition - What does Prana Vayu mean? The prana vayu is one of the five energy subdivisions of prana, and is considered one of the most important . It is situated in the head and is considered the fundamental energy. Prana vayu is responsible for the reception of everything into the body from air to food, senses to thoughts.
What are the elements of the Hindu religion?
In the Hindu tradition, the five elements - fire, earth, water, air (wind) and ether - are represented as vayus. The prana vayu is connected with the element of air and is the energy of the third/spiritual eye. The prana vayu is located at the heart center.
What is Prana Vayu?
Prana Vayu is the first of Prana (master Prana which has 5 vayus) and is related to forward-moving air. The flow of it is represented by the inward and upward movement of air.
Functions of Prana Vayu
One of the most important functions of the prana vayu is to control breathing. When we breathe, the lungs expand and contract. Breathing also indirectly affects the movement of the heart. The pumping of the lungs and the heart is a result of the space being created by the prana vayu in the chest cavity.
Signs of Imbalance in Prana Vayu
Looking at the above functions, it seems that the prana vayu is all-pervading. There is not a single body area where the prana vayu doesn’t play an important role. The other subtypes also depend on the correct functioning of the prana vayu.
How to balance the Prana Vayu
Just like the other vayus, yoga, pranayama, and mudra formation are some of the best ways to keep a check on the flow of prana vayu. You can also take care of your diet, take a walk in nature, surround yourself with colors, aromas, and sounds, and in general surround yourself with positivity to maintain a healthy prana vayu.
Conclusion
The body’s sustaining system is known as prana. Take a minute to explore what your body requires once you’ve reached a state of understanding of how your breath flows throughout your body. A great place to begin is to become aware of your prana vayus and their various roles.
How to know if your apana vayu is unhealthy?
Signs of an unhealthy or imbalanced apana vayu can range from laziness and dullness to confusion and indecisiveness. Balancing the vayus through practicing yoga and meditation not only promotes physical strength, but also helps the practitioner move closer to their spiritual aspirations.
How do the apana vayu and prana vayu work together?
The apana vayu and prana vayu work together by moving in opposite ways – the apana vayu eliminates and the prana vayu receives – and are considered the two most important of the five vayus. The apana vayu is the energy governing the removal of waste in the physical body, operating in the genitals, lower intestine, colon, rectum, ...
What does Vayu mean in yoga?
Yogapedia explains Apana Vayu. Vayu is a Sanskrit word meaning "wind" and apana vayu means “the air that moves away. ”. In the Hindu tradition, the five elements - fire, earth, water, air (wind) and ether - are represented as vayus. The apana vayu is connected with the element of earth and is the energy of the muladhara chakra.
What is the apana vayu?
The apana vayu is one of the five energy subdivisions of prana, and is considered one of the most important. Believed to influence digestion, elimination and reproduction, it is active in the pelvic and lower abdominal areas.
What is the Vayu in yoga?
Vyana vayu is located in the heart and lungs; it is the energy that spreads throughout the entire body of an individual.
Why are the five Prana Vayu out of sync?
The five Prana Vayu tend to be out of sync from time to time. It may result in an imbalance of the body, mind, and spirit. When an individual continuously practices the yoga asanas mentioned above, he will manage the smooth and proper functioning of these Vayus. With a teacher’s appropriate guidance, these Vayus can be appropriately maintained to ensure the body, mind, and spirit are well-coordinated and fully functioning.
What does Urdana Vayu feel like?
Urdana vayu is experienced when you close your eyes, have a completely relaxed body with a long spine whether standing or sitting and when you inhale and exhale feel the flow of the breath that circulates throughout the head and neck.
What is the meaning of the 5 Prana Vayus?
The 5 Prana Vayus. Prana is the Sanskrit word for “life force”. Vayus, on the other hand, literally means “wind”. According to the tradition of yoga, Prana which means the vital life for all living beings in this world has 5 different segments.
Why is Prana important?
Prana helps an individual be able to move his body and use his mind to think clearly. The prana is the intelligence that guides the senses and it is the manifestation of an individual’s self. When one is attentive to the prana, he will be able to enhance and direct the flow by practicing hatha yoga. It aims to invigorate the individual’s body and ...
What is the Apana Vayu?
Apana vayu is located on the pelvic floor; it is the energy that spreads all throughout the lower stomach region. The flow of this vayu is downwards. It is the energy that sustains the digestive, reproduction, and elimination organs.
How to know if you are Sama Vayu?
Sama vayu is experienced when you close your eyes , have a completely relaxed body with a long spine whether standing or sitting and when you inhale and exhale you will feel the flow of breath rising and falling throughout the front, sides and back portion of the torso.
Udana Vayu: The Ascending Wind
Udana Vayu is the movement of energy, or prana, that guides us to higher consciousness. You may be familiar with the term prana from your previous yoga practices. If not, check out our overview of prana energy.
Why Study Udana Vayu
When we work with Udana Vayu, we begin to access the higher planes of our consciousness. Associated with the Kundalini Shakti, this powerful energy can help you feel more confident & joyous, and give you the ability to express yourself with intention.
Common Signs of Imbalance in Udana Vayu
Physical signs of imbalance in Udana Vayu are often located around the throat center. As the Prana Vayu stimulates creative expression and confidence, imbalance often means self-doubt. Expressions of energy imbalances are different for everyone, but here are some common signs of an imbalance in Udana Vayu.
How to Balance Udana Vayu
As the fifth of the five vayus, Udana Vayu is activated by the proper regulation of the previous Prana Vayus. To truly activate this radiant force, we must first regulate samana vayu, prana vayu and apana vayu. Though the practices below will help to balance Udana Vayu, they’re best done after a well-rounded asana practice.
