21/09/2026
BEYOND THE POSE 006 The Five Vayus — Five Movements of Prana
In yoga, prana is described as moving through the body in five primary directions. Each Vayu describes a different function of this movement:
• Prana Vayu — Governs inward movement — breath, intake and receiving.
• Apana Vayu — Governs downward movement — elimination, grounding and release.
• Samana Vayu — Governs movement toward the centre — digestion and assimilation.
• Udana Vayu — Governs upward movement — expression, speech and growth.
• Vyana Vayu — Governs movement throughout — circulation, coordination and connection.
The practice is not only about how we move the body, but about becoming aware of how energy moves through us.
