The energy that swirls throughout your body is called Prana. Prana is also called ‘life force energy’ in yogic and Indian Medicine traditions, among others. And, it’s this energy – this Prana – that can be intentionally moved throughout the body with our breath. The winds that move this prana so elegantly are called the Vayus.

Vayu translates directly to ‘wind’. There are five vayus – or five winds – that move Prana through our bodies. Those five vayus are Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana and Vayana. Each has its own specific function: its own way of directing prana and its own way of regulating a bodily process or system.

Prana Vayu draws life force into the body and is often referred to as the ‘in-breath’ as this vayu is associated with an inward and upward moving energy.

When cultivating Prana Vayu, we focus on locating our breath to the upper half of the body, from the bottom of the heart to the top of the head.

This vayu not only governs the lungs through the inhalation but it also maintains the heart and brings sensory impressions and information into the brain.

It is associated with the air element, and relates to Anahata, or heart chakra & Angi, the 3rd eye, chakra.

To learn more about Prana Vayu and to be taken through a guided practice to cultivate and see its benefits, watch the video below:

Tapping into your Vayus is a simple way to reclaim your energy, find your grounding and enhance your self connection.