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.

The Udana Vayu is located from the throat to the top of the head.

As I mentioned, it is responsible for our senses: smell, sight, hearing and taste. It also helps us stand up tall, as the moving force travels up the back of the spine to the crown of the head.

This vayu affects sound and speech, and also drives creativity and expression.

When it is stagnant or out of balance, it can affect our ability to articulate feelings and ideas or make us unable to speak.

The Udana Vayu relates to the Visuddha Chakra—the throat chakra—which is again tied to creativity and self-expression.

And, because of its upward lifting energy it also has an impact on the Sahasrara—or crown Chakra.

Finally, it is also associated with the Ether element.

To learn more about Udana 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 self connection.