Pranayama Practice: Vyana Breath
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Pranayama
In Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga, the 4th limb is dedicated to pranayama. Prana is that pervades the whole universe and all living things. Prana means “ vital life force” and ayama means “expansion”. Therefore, pranayama means “expansion of the vital life force”. As we practice pranayama, we are expanding our breath and the capacity of the lungs.
There are many forms of pranayama in Ayurveda. Some increase lunar energy like Adham Pranayama or Shitali Pranayama. While others increase solar energy like Kapalabhati Pranayama or Bhastrika Pranayama. Finally there are pranayama practices that balance both the lunar and solar energies like Nadi Shodana Pranayama, Bhramari Pranayama, or Ujjayi Pranayama.
In Ayurveda, there are five pranas or vayus or subdoshas of vata. Vayu is another word for prana and is associated with the element of air. Vata dosha’s main element is air with its secondary being space/ether. These five vayus or pranas, control all the movement in our body. This includes the movement of digestion, respiration, circulation, speech and communication, etc. The five vayus or five pranas are:
Prana: forward moving air, propulsive in nature, setting things in motion and guiding them, vital energy of the head and third eye, governs reception of all types like eating, drinking, breathing, sensory impulses, mental experiences
Apana: downward moving air, vital energy of lower abdomen, governs elimination and reproduction and is the basis of our immune function
Udana: upward moving air, vital energy in the throat, governs speech, self-expression, growth of body, ability to stand, effort, enthusiasm and will
Samana: balancing air, moves from the periphery to the center through a churning, vital energy in the navel, governs digestion
Vyana: outward moving air, moves from the center to the periphery, vital energy in the heart and lungs, governs circulation
Each one of the five pranas has a corresponding pranayama practice to help bring balance into the powers of the air element. We’ve previously discussed Apana Pranayama, Udana Pranayama, and Samana Pranayama. However, in this post we will discuss Vyana Pranayama or the expanding breath.
Vyana Pranayama (Expanding Breath)
Vyana Pranayama is also known as “expanding breath.” To practice this breathing technique follow these steps or listen to our audio recording of how to practice Vyana Pranayama:
Stand in tadasana or mountain pose with your feet firmly planted. Or if standing isn’t comfortable or possible, sit on a chair with your spine straight and your feet firmly planted on the earth, or in a comfortable sitting pose like siddhasana (easy crossed legs pose) or virasana (hero pose).
Place your hands over your heart: left hand over the heart and right hand over the left if you want to increase feminine or lunar energy; right hand over the heart and left hand over the right if you want to increase masculine or solar energy. The heart is the location of the 4th chakra, the anahata chakra. This is the seat of our jiva or soul.
You practice vyana pranayama by inhaling through the nose and allowing the arms to rise overhead into a victorious “V” position. Feel the breath expanding out from your heart, providing nourishment to the entire body, mind and spirit.
Retain the breath for a moment at the top of the inhalation. (contraindications: retentions shouldn’t be practiced by people with heart conditions, especially high blood pressure, as well as children and pregnant women).
As you exhale through the nose, bring your hands back over the heart and feel the heartbeat in your chest. Then begin the breath cycle again.
Repeat the cycle again for a total of 10-20 rounds.
Vyana breathing is used in Ayurveda to increase the energy of the heart and lungs. Traditionally it has been used to help people with circulation as well as the heart and the lungs.
Music by Fried Coffee.
“When all the knots of the heart are broken, then the mortal becomes immortal.”