Inside Yoga 60 (24/9/12)

Last week I used the expression: in yoga “we get rid of what we do not need”. A useful sound-bite which sums up the aim of yoga in many respects and also relates to prana and apana, two terms I used at my workshop last weekend. This article explains prana and apana.

Prana is considered, in yoga terms, the energy that sustains life and without it nothing lives – including all vegetation as well as all living beings. In definition, prana is described as meaning literally “forward moving air” which moves inward. It governs reception of all types of from eating, drinking, inhalation during respiration, to the reception of sensory impressions and mental experiences.

In the exercises called pranayama we are using our breath to bring the prana into our bodies with a series of techniques to enhance the flow of prana. When we have practised some pranayama exercises, and also when we have practised yoga asanas (physical exercises), we can feel the flow of this energy called prana – for example, tingling in the body, rush of energy in our body, or perhaps, that feeling of enhanced vitality and euphoria, all of which are due to the healthy flow of prana within us.

If we consider that everything is interconnected and interdependent, then something always comes from something else, and not from nothing. So if we are filling ourselves up with prana and helping it to flow more easily, we must create the space for it. Something has to leave our bodies and mind to make space for the prana. This is where apana comes in.

Apana is, literally, the “air that moves away”, which moves downward and outward. It governs the elimination of faeces, urine, plus the expelling of semen, menstrual fluid, and also the process giving birth. It also controls the exhalation while breathing; and the elimination of negative thoughts, feelings and emotions. Apana and also prana are the basis of our immune system.

We generally focus on these two pranas: prana and apana. These two pranas are two of the five pranas. The others are udana, samana, and vyana.

Udana, “upward moving air”, governs the growth of the body, ability to stand, speech, effort, enthusiasm and will – it helps the qualitative and transformative movements of the life-energy.

Samana is the “balancing air” which aids digestion in the body and in the mind to homogenize and digest experiences – sensory, emotional or mental.

Vyana, “outward moving air”, governs circulation on all levels – food, water and oxygen; and in terms of the mind, keeps our emotions and thoughts circulating.

Hence the other, often used expression, that yoga helps bring balance to our lives.

Using the analogy that our body and mind is like a house with plumbing, gas and electric supplies, we need to ensure that these utilities are in good working order, and similarly, we aim to understand these five pranas and ensure that they are all working and flowing efficiently. It is up to us to keep our house in order.