Today, let us explore the Pancha Pranas, today. Yes, you have heard it just right. ‘Prana’ for the unversed or new ones in the yogic realm may be an alien term. However, it holds significant importance in Yoga. Pranayama, which is one of the most important elements in yogic practice, revolves around ‘Prana’. In yogic tradition, the movements of the Prana or life energy are called vayu, or air. The Prana flows through the 72,000 nadis that exist within the human body. When you join the yoga teacher training in India, you will get to know about these in more detail.
In the YTTC, you will learn that the Prana’s functioning comes from Ayurveda, the allied science of Yoga. And these Pranas are sub-categories of Vata dosha. So, let us study these in complete detail.
The Five Types Of Air Decoded
Firstly, before we proceed to the explanation of the types of air, you need to understand how they are used. The three main kriyas or activities that involve the flow of ‘Prana’ are Pranayama, asana, and meditation.
Now, let us explore them in detail.
- Udana – Throat to the head
- Prana – Chest
- Samana – Abdomen
- Vyana – Whole Body
- Apana – Pelvis to Feet
So, here is a short explanation of the flow of Prana or life energy. These impact the human body, mind, and soul at different levels.
Udana Vayu
In the yoga teacher training in India, you will learn in great detail about Udana vayu. It is associated with growth and expression. And the flow occurs upward. It controls various activities such as communication skills, self-expression, and soul development.
In the realm of yoga and Pranayama, you can activate this vayu through shoulder stands, like Sarvangasana. Apart from shoulder-stands, you can also activate this vayu through the practice of throat openers like Matsyasana. When you practice any form of meditation, the udana vayu also gets activated. Therefore, you must practice the above yogic activities for the attainment of a voice for yourself.
Prana
The Prana vayu helps in energy preservation. It deals with the absorption of all kinds of energy, whether it is from food, air, or sensory in nature. Additionally, it also impacts your breathing, sensory experiences, and thinking. If you want to propel these functions, then you should practice Ujjayi breathing and Nadi Shodhana Pranayama. These help in building awareness, so typical of Prana vayu.
Samana
It is associated with the expansion of energy. When the energy is pulled towards the centre of the body, it aids in digestion and metabolic functions. So, if you feel undernourished and have digestive ailments, your vayu must be corrected. You can practice poses that involve twists, like the Ardha Matsyendrasana. Thereafter, you must also practice a few core strengthening kriyas, like the ones in which you balance your body weight on arms, to strengthen the digestive system. Learn these under the watchful eyes of the best yogic experts at Maharishi Yoga Peeth.
Vyana
It deals with the distribution of life force or energy throughout the body. It also protects the other ‘pranas’. It is also involved in enhancing circulation and facilitating movements. If you want to maintain the health of your joints, then working on this vayu is absolutely essential. For that to happen, you have to engage in sun salutations and Vinyasa cycles.
Apana
It deals with the downward flow of energy. It helps in digestion and allows the body to absorb all the energy. You can engage yourself in balancing practices, like Dandasana and Nawasana, to aid the downward flow of energy. This further facilitates balance throughout the body.
When you enrol at the school teaching yoga, you get to learn in detail about the five types of air. Many of the professional organizations also deliver yogic treatments, like ones for the heart, for the lungs, for digestion, and for specific diseases. And these involve the ‘Pancha Pranas’. Amazingly, these Pranas are interconnected. So, if you are able to rectify one, the other also gets alleviated.
Conclusion
Join Maharishi Yoga Peeth if you want to learn and master the vayus or air that occupies such an important position in yogic realm. Whenever the nadis are blocked, you will not be able to live healthily. So, at such times, practicing related postures and Kriyas can bring about the desired outcomes. Join the 200 hour yoga teacher training India for more knowledge enrichment on wellness.
