This week in our class, we delved into the concept of the five currents of Prana, which represent the vital life force energy. I wanted to take a moment to share some insights about this it with you.
There's a theory, that I have heard but not sure it's true, that suggests that Western medicine, which focuses on dissecting cadavers, lacks the concept of vital energy, unlike Eastern medicine where cutting up bodies was discouraged. This led Eastern physicians to develop ideas about the flow of human energy by studying living beings. Regardless of the truth behind this theory, one thing is certain: in yogic tradition, understanding the flow of vital energy, or prana, is crucial.
According to yoga, there are five main currents of vital force, known as the Pancha Vayu Model, which regulate the body's physiological processes. These currents dictate how we take in and process things, absorb nutrients or knowledge, eliminate waste, and grow physically and mentally.
For example, if you're experiencing physiological issues like diarrhea or constipation, it can often be traced back to imbalances in these vital currents. Diarrhea might indicate an overactive Apana vayu, responsible for elimination, while constipation might signal a weak Apana vayu. Similarly, cold hands and feet could point to a deficiency in Vyana vayu, which governs circulation, and digestive problems might relate to issues with Samana vayu, responsible for digestion.
Understanding these vayus helps tailor practices to address specific concerns. Here's a breakdown of each vayu and practices to balance them:
PRANA vayu: Responsible for intake, primarily located in the head, lungs, and heart. Practices like focused inhalation, prana breath, and sensory therapies help balance Prana vayu.
APANA vayu: Manages elimination and retention, located in the lower abdomen. Practices such as exhalation focus, apana breath, and pelvic floor exercises help balance Apana vayu.
SAMANA vayu: Handles processing, concentrated around the navel. Practices like exhalation with abdominal contraction, progressive abdominal contraction, and specific breathing techniques aid in balancing Samana vayu.
VYANA vayu: Deals with distribution, located in the heart and lungs. Practices like focused inhalation, vyana breath, and heart-opening routines help balance Vyana vayu.
UDANA vayu: Governs growth and upward movement, concentrated near the diaphragm and throat. Practices like diaphragmatic breathing, udana breath, and chanting assist in balancing Udana vayu.
By understanding these vayus, practitioners can design tailored practices to address imbalances. It's essential to avoid overwhelming clients with technical terms and instead use this knowledge to guide personalized treatments for their physiological and mental-emotional well-being.
Hari Om Tat Sat