7/18/2019 VAYU_YOGA

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vayuyoga 1/4

VAAT DOSHA AND YOGA

In ancient texts, like the Upanishads, two primary forms of

Prana are recognized: Prana and Apana, as inhalation andexhalation, with Samana in between as the balancing or

metabolic factor. Vyana develops as our capacity to circulate

the absorbed Prana

Udana develops as the positive side of exhalation, the capacity

to extract energy that follows from inhalation.

The five Pranas are different stages of the process of breathing:

PRANA, the primary air, is inhalation.

SAMANA, the equalizing air, is retention or the point between

inhalation and exhalation.

VYANA, the outward moving air, follows after Samana. It can be

related to the second part of retention approaching exhalation.

UDANA, the upward moving air, is the first part of exhalation.

 APANA, the downward moving air, is the second part of

exhalation.

Through breath control (pranayama) at these different points we

can learn to regulate and strengthen the Pranas.

OVERVIEW OF AYURVEDA  VAAT DOSHA AND YOGA

National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in  NLAM Education 1

7/18/2019 VAYU_YOGA

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vayuyoga 2/4

MOVEMENTS OF THE FIVE PRANAS (VAYUS)

The movement of the five pranas is also very important in order

to understand the yogic lineage of mind, body and spirit. It’s anadvanced topic and will be discussed further in another video

related to spiritual healing. However we will give a brief

overview to simplify the concept.

From the descriptions of the Five Vayus we can decipher that:

Prana and Apana  govern the intake and elimination of Prana

or vital energy.

Samana and Vyana operate at a deeper physical level.

Samana takes the Prana into the tissues and Vyana circulates itthroughout the body.

Udana is the culmination of the other four Pranas as our energy

and motivation in life.

We see then that there is one Prana or life-force in five forms

according to its different powers and directions of movement.

OVERVIEW OF AYURVEDA  VAAT DOSHA AND YOGA

National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in  NLAM Education 2

7/18/2019 VAYU_YOGA

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vayuyoga 3/4

IMAGINE IT LIKE A CROSS

PRANA in the CENTER as the regulating factor.

UDANA, which rises, will be at the TOP .

 APANA, which sinks, is at the BOTTOM.

SAMANA  will be to the LEFT moving from Apana to Udana 

balancing the two in an upward direction.

VYANA  will be to the RIGHT moving from Udana to Apana,

balancing the two in a downward direction.

OVERVIEW OF AYURVEDA  VAAT DOSHA AND YOGA

National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in  NLAM Education 3

7/18/2019 VAYU_YOGA

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vayuyoga 4/4

TO SUMMARISE THE MOVEMENT OF THE FIVE PRANAS

VAYU MOVEMENT

UDANA Ascending

SAMANA Balancing In

PRANA Central

VYANA Balancing Out

APANA Descending

Samana has an equalizing but centripetal force (moving

towards the center) as the power of digestion.

Vyana has an equalizing but centrifugal (moving away from the

center) force as the power of movement.

OVERVIEW OF AYURVEDA  VAAT DOSHA AND YOGA

National Library of Ayurveda Medicine www.nlam.in  NLAM Education 4