According to yoga tradition, there are five currents of vital life force (prana) that

run through us and govern our bodies and minds: the prana vayus. When we

understand them and how they can work in harmony with each other,

we’re able to experience life with more clarity and authenticity. Here’s how to

use your yoga practice to embody the vayus, both on and off your mat.

STORY BY LAUREN ECKSTROM / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MITCH AND BRITTANY ROUSE

64

november/december 2017

yogajournal.com.au

PHOTOS BY MITCH AND BRITTANY ROUSE, FROM HOLISTIC YOGA FLOW: THE PATH OF PRACTICEBY TRAVIS ELIOT AND LAUREN ECKSTROM (INNER DOMAIN MEDIA)

A FEW MONTHS AGO,my father lost his battle

with pancreatic cancer. In the final stretch of

his life, I continued teaching a full schedule of

yoga classes, but I visited with him daily. One

afternoon between classes, I hurried home

so I could change my clothes and then get

to his side—but I couldn’t find a parking spot.

I double-parked in the alley outside my

apartment, threw on my hazard lights, and

dashed inside. I’ll be fast, I thought.

Two minutes later, someone laid on their car

horn. I darted downstairs and a small, angry,

elderly woman stopped me in my tracks: She

had her head stuck out her car window and

was hurling profanities my way. I took a deep

breath, looked at the woman sincerely and

said, “I’m so sorry.” As I moved my car, she

unleashed another deluge of obscenities laced

with assumptions about my “entitlement”,

ending the diatribe with, “I’m headed to a doctor’s

appointment and I’m afraid I’ll be late!”

As I watched her furiously speedaway all

alone, I was reminded of a quote I often repeat

to myself when I’m frustrated by others: “Be

kind; everyone you meet is fighting a battle you

know nothing about.” In that moment, I was

overwhelmed with empathy for my neighbour.

Going to the doctor can be difficult. Going solo

can be even harder. Of course, she likely didn’t

consider I might be fighting a battle of my

own—that my visits with my dad were some

of the last moments I’d spend with him.

When I think back on this interaction,

I’m grateful for my yoga practice—and

particularly the ways in which it helps me

to embody theprana vayus. Translated,

pranameans “life force” or “vital energy”,

andvayumeans “wind” or “direction of

energy”. The prana vayus are the various

directions in which life force flows, and

our understanding of them can help us

regulate the physical body and its systems—

and support us in responding to challenges

with greater steadiness and balance. For

instance, in my one-minute interaction with

my neighbour, I was able to grounddown

through my feet (apana vayu), take a deep

breath and feel into my centre (samana vayu),

hold my head up (udana vayu), soften my eyes

as they gazed outward at her (vyana vayu), and

simply say, “I’m sorry” about the circumstances

surroundingus (prana vayu).

Experiencing the prana vayus in my practice

keeps me connected to the flow of energy

within me and the world around me. The result

is that the flow of energy within me is reflected

externally in a way that aligns with my values

and my highest self. Get to know the five prana

vayus in the pages that follow, along with five

yoga postures that can help you experience each

vayu in your body. Learn them. Embody them.

And watch as they train you to move through

your yoga practice—and your life—from a

place of peace, power, and connection.

Meet

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WITHIN YOU