Prana Vayu – The inner wind of life and vitality

The five Vayus in yogic philosophy describe the different ways prana, or life force, moves through the body. While Udana Vayu carries energy upward and Apana Vayu moves it downward, Prana Vayu governs the inward and upward flow. It is the essential intake of energy that sustains life.

What is Prana Vayu?

The word Prana itself means “life force,” and while all Vayus are aspects of prana, Prana Vayu is considered the central and governing force. It is responsible for the intake and assimilation of energy, whether it’s through breath, food, water, sensory experience or thought.

The flow of Prana Vayu moves inward and upward, centered around the chest region. It is intimately connected to the breath and serves as the gateway for life-sustaining functions in both the body and mind.

Key functions

This Vayu plays a foundational role in both physiological and mental processes:

Breathing: Controls the intake of air and the regulation of breath.
Sensory perception: Governs how we receive and interpret sensory information.
Vital energy: Fuels vitality, immunity and emotional resilience.
Cognition and mental clarity: Supports mental processes, awareness and focus.
Autonomic reflexes: Involved in coughing, sighing, swallowing and even yawning.

Prana Vayu and the Chakras

Prana Vayu resides between the throat and heart, with its main seat in the Anahata Chakra (Heart Chakra).

Anahata is the center of love, balance and connection, and when Prana Vayu flows freely, we feel emotionally open, mentally clear and physically energised.

A blocked or weakened Prana Vayu can result in low mood, emotional heaviness, or even cardiovascular issues, as the energetic flow to the heart is compromised.

Signs of imbalance

An imbalance in Prana Vayu may show up as:

Shallow or irregular breathing.
Low energy, fatigue or immune weakness.
Difficulty focusing or processing sensory information.
Emotional numbness, sadness or depression.
Heart palpitations, breathlessness or anxiety.
Disconnection from one’s internal rhythm and intuition.

How to balance Prana Vayu

Because Prana Vayu is so closely linked to breath, awareness and intake, its balance is best supported through practices that cultivate presence, expand breath capacity and encourage inner stillness.

Asana

Choose postures that open the chest and invite breath into the upper body:

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): Expands the chest and encourages diaphragmatic breathing.
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose): Opens the heart space and stimulates Prana flow.
Ustrasana (Camel Pose): Invites upward and inward expansion of the breath.

Pranayama

Ujjayi Pranayama (Ocean Breath): Supports the upward and inward movement of prana, strengthens breath awareness and encourages energetic vitality.
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): Balances both hemispheres of the brain and supports pranic integration.

Meditation & Mudras

Heart-Centered Meditation: Visualize a soft green light at the heart center, expanding with each inhale and softening with each exhale.
Prana Mudra: Join the tips of the thumb, ring finger and little finger. This mudra enhances vitality and activates the root and heart connection.

Ayurvedic support

Support Prana Vayu through mindful intake and calm surroundings:

Spend time in fresh air and natural environments.
Eat sattvic (light, nourishing) foods that are easy to digest.
Avoid overstimulation, rest the senses regularly.
Use calming herbs like tulsi (holy basil) or brahmi (water hyssop) to support clarity and energy.

Bringing Prana Vayu awareness into your practice

For many yoga teachers and practitioners, Prana Vayu is the starting point, the breath that sustains the practice, and the awareness that sustains the self. When we attune to this inward-moving energy, we deepen our connection to vitality, presence and intuitive flow.

Refining and balancing Prana Vayu strengthens the foundation of our life force. When breath, energy and emotion move in harmony, the practice becomes more grounded and clear. This sense of balance can gently extend into everyday life and teaching.