Samana Vayu: the Vayu of balance
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Prana is the word for “universal creator energy” which manifests itself in all of nature. Vayu would be what the “internal winds” that every human being has. Samana Vayu is one of the five Prana Vayus, the energies that governs vital functions of our body. In this article, we are going to tell everything about Samana Vayu.
Samana Vayu
Samana Vayu can be translated as “the same” or in the context of energies, as “the the energy that centralizes and balances”, even because it is the point of balance between Prana and Apana. The balance also refers to the digestion and assimilation of the absorbed nutrients. Physically, this Vayu is located in the abdominal region and is associated with all digestive process and abdominal organs.
This energy moves inward toward the abdomen. When we inhale, it moves horizontally and when we exhale, the movement follows in all directions. However, Samana Vayu can also be described as a luminous lateral movement, reminiscent of a pendulum moving from right to left and from left to right.
The color of Samana Vayu is white and its elements are fire and water. This Vayu represents Agni, the digestive fire, but also has a light and refreshing aspect, referring to water. We remember that the water element balances the fire and provides a healthy means for the absorption of nutrients.
Energetically, Samana Vayu is located in the Manipura Chakra, our vital center that sits in our solar plexus, the region of the stomach. Being located in this spot, Samana operates digestion at all levels. It receives, warms, modifies, and creates sense.
In addition to digestion, Samana Vayu is also responsible for processing the oxygen we breathe, the energy of nature we receive, and the ideas contained in the words. Everything that enters and leaves us, passes through Samana in perfect balance when it is healthy.
It is necessary to keep the Vayus always in balance. If the energy of Samana Vayu is not working well, the supply of nutrients to the body remains reduced, causing problems in the digestive organs like the stomach, liver, spleen and pancreas.
How to balance your Samana Vayu
First things first, we need to develop the ability to feel our Vayus. Once we aware of of the energies that circulate in our body, it is easy to know when they are in imbalance and take care of them.
To get in touch with Samana, we need to direct the breathing to the center of our body and visualize it distributed around the entire body diameter, evenly.
You can work Samana Vayu through meditation and Pranayama exercises:
When inhaling: Inhale and let the air move through the nose, filling the front, sides and back of the body evenly. As your belly expands a little forward, keep it gently held so that the waist and middle of the back expand equally around the radius of the center of the body.
On exhaling: Move your breath through the body and distribute the energy evenly.
When inhaling: Same way.
On exhaling: Move your breath deeper into the body, imagining a light or fireball in the center of your body, which increases the intensity with each cycle.
Asanas to balance Samana Vayu:
- Twists standing, sitting and supine;
- Abdominal work including plank and Chaturanga Dandasana;
- Push-ups at the front, especially sitting;
- Arm balances.
If you Samana is strong and healthy, it will help you to balance the inversions.
You may also like:
- Pranayama: improve your vital energy
- Prana Vayu: get to know the most important of the five Vayus
- Udana Vayu: the air that flies up
- Yoga Mantras: Om Shanti Om
