Australian Yoga Journal — November 2017

november/december 2017

yogajournal.com.au

66

Prana Vayu

Movement DirectionAll around

Centred inThe chest; it governs inhalation.

ExpressedCyclically; prana vayu is reflected in your ability to be

within a cycle of ongoing change while remaining connected to

your centre. Imbalances in prana vayu affect the nervous system

and manifest as anxiety or fear, triggering symptoms such as

breathlessness or heart palpitations. Yoga teaches us to pay

attention to our breath cycle. For beginning practitioners, the initial

instinct is to hold the breath when a pose feels challenging—

which stops the flow of energy, leading to increased tension and

resistance. Over time, we learn to trust the cycle of the breath, and

as a result energy flows smoothly.

The PoseSalamba Supta Baddha Konasana (Supported Reclining

Bound Angle Pose)

Lie on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet

touching. Support your outer knees or upper thighs with blocks

or folded blankets. Make sure your forehead is level with, or

slightly higher than, your chin. The shape created by your legs

and the connection between the soles of your feet are symbolic

of the circular nature of prana vayu. As you rest your body in this

supported position, you invite your lungs and your heart to open

and your focus to gently return to your inhalations. By moving

from restlessness to ease, we embody the notion that all things

are ever changing—our breath, our feelings, even our yoga poses

themselves. Hold this supported posture for 5–8 minutes.

Take it off the matEach morning, set aside a few minutes to

practice samavrtti, a form of pranayama that encourages even,

balanced breathing. There are four parts to this cyclical breath:

the inhale (puraka), the pause at the top of the inhalation (antara

kumbhaka), the exhale (rechaka), and the pause at the bottom of

the exhalation (bahya kumbhaka).

Come into a comfortable seated position, and invite your body

to soften. Inhale for the count of 4. Pause, and soften your

body as you briefly retain the inhalation, then exhale for the

count of 4. Pause and soften your body again as you briefly

retain the exhalation. The intention is to establish breaths that

mirror each other in quality and length. Then, if you ever

notice fear, anxiety, or breathlessness arising, practice this

breath pattern.