Prana is divided into different forms each with its own function and area of the body, these are called Vayus or winds, there are 5 in total.

Below are the 5 Vayu’s and how they apply to the body.

Udana vayu:  Udana vayu relates to the area of the throat. It allows for communication, singing, and making sounds. It is said that udana vayu is the doorway to higher states of consciousness, with the main element being air. People with blockage of this area may find an inability to communicate or sing clearly, and may have trouble reaching higher states of consciousness in meditation; people may also have conditions of the throat such as under active thyroid.

Prana vayu:  Prana vayu is the energy current in the heart, chest and lungs. It is responsible for life force (prana) entering into the body through the inhalation and the movement of the heart and lungs. It is also associated with the upward movement of energy and the overall energy level in the body. Prana vayu element is fire. Imbalance of prana vayu is associated with conditions that affect heart and lung.

Samana vayu:  Samana vayu is centered in the abdominal area and is associated with digestion. The element is water. Blockage in this area can result in a decrease supply of nutrients to the body and imbalance in the digestive organs like the liver, stomach, spleen and pancreas.

Apana vayu:  Apana vayu is in the intestine area and is associated with elimination, its element is earth. It is responsible for downward movement and is heavy in nature. The primary focus is that, that leaves the body, the process of removing waste. Imbalance with apana can cause intestinal disorders and is also related to shortness of breath. The shortness of breath can indicate that you maybe holding onto to much waste in the body. Extending the exhale and twisting asana’s can help with this.

Vyana vayu:  Vyana vayu pervades the whole body and is especially active in the limbs. It is associated with the nervous system, its element is ether. It is very affected by stress and anxiety; regular Pranayama will assist with vyana vayu.