Pancha Vayus – The five winds
Hatha yoga is more than flexibility and strength in postures. It is the management of prana – the vital force that animates all living beings.
Prana enables the body to move, the mind to think, it co-ordinates our senses.
In yoga and Ayurveda, the “Vayus” (winds or vital airs) refer to five fundamental forms of prana (life-force energy) that govern different physiological and energetic functions in the body. The word vayu literally means “wind” or “air,” symbolizing movement of energy within us.
- Prana
- Apana
- Samana
- Udana
- Vyana
They govern different areas of the body, different physical and subtle activities. Together, these five vayus maintain the harmonious flow of prana throughout the body. Practices like asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), bandhas (energy locks), and meditation help balance them.
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