1 2 S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 3 - 2 Fa l l 2 0 1 7 described in various Upanishads and with the doctrines of nādishuddhi, kumbhaka, lotuses, chakras and arousal of kundalini in Hatha and Tantra yoga. We are expected to get the knowledge about the "mechanics of breathing" and the "flow of breath" (in-breath and outbreath) through "its touch inside the body" (antah sparsha), the pathway (channel or nādi or mārg) followed by the flow of breath and the speed of its movement (gati). The whole practice constitutes getting knowledge leading to the understanding about the working of the vāyus (neuro-muscular activity) with the help internal sensory activity (prāna) and to increase the depth and subtlety of this knowledge and understanding (prānāyāma) through regular practice (abhyāsa; see Vimuktananda 1977). It ultimately results in guiding the practitioner to "self-realization" because air as breath has no form, smell, touch and the spontaneous natural breathing is involuntary in nature. The tactile knowledge is obtained from inside the body whose nerve supply is different from the nerve supply of the skin. 4 Psycho-physiological Mechanisms Related with the Doctrines of Vāyu and Prāna in Relation to Prānāyāma As mentioned above, gross or major body movements (neuro-muscular or psycho-neuro-muscular) have been postulated as vāyus [4] and the knowledge of these movements developed through the sensory activities has been postulated as prāna in relation to the practice of prānāyāma. Hatha and Tantra yoga texts also mentionminor or subsidiary vāyus [5], but not prānas [6]. The minor vāyus can be understood as reflex actions as a result of disturbances in the body functions. As mentioned above, there is no unanimity in respect of psycho-physiological functions ascribed to these vāyus and prānas in different schools and books on yoga and Āyurveda and as maintained by different experts. Modern writings on these topics can be questioned from the practical and experiential objectives to be achieved according to the traditional teachings in yoga. Therefore, slightly different view point has been advanced here for the consideration of those who would like to learn yoga by doing and experiencing. Five main vāyus (verb) – different "processes": 1. Prāna vāyu– physical, physiological and/or psycho-physiological movements involved in "taking-in" or receiving material things such as solids (food), liquids (water) and air/wind (breath), etc., and/or thoughts and feelings, etc.; 2. Apāna vāyu– physical, physiological and/or psycho-physiological movements involved in "giving-away" or "bringing-out" or elimination of material things such as solids (stools), liquids (urine, sweat, tears) and air/wind (breath), etc., and/or thoughts and feelings, etc.; 3. Vyāna vāyu– physical, physiological and/or psycho-physiological movements involved in transporting material things, thoughts, feelings, etc.; 4. Samāna vāyu – physical, physiological and/or psycho-physiological movements involved in maintaining balance and equilibrium; 5. Udāna vāyu– physical, physiological and/or psycho-physiological movements involved in upward direction against the force of gravity. Fiveprānas (noun) – different "states of consciousness / awareness": 1. Prāna and prānic activity– neural and/or muculo-neural activity giving rise to the feeling, knowledge and a state of awareness/consciousness of receiving or getting something. In short, "awareness of addition" for the Self; 2. Apāna and apānic activity – neural and/or musculo-neural activity giving rise to the feeling, knowledge and a state of awareness/consciousness related with giving away, elimination, forgetting, etc. In short, "awareness of deletion" for the Self; 3. Vyāna and vyāna activity– neural and/or musculo-neural activity giving rise to the feeling, knowledge and a state of awareness/consciousness of linear movement or circulation. In short, "awareness of linear movement" for the Self; 4. Samāna and samāna activity– neural and/or musculo-neural activity giving rise to the feeling, knowledge and a state of awareness/consciousness related with balance and equilibrium. In short, "awareness of balance (Samādhi?)" for the Self; 5. Udāna andudāna activity – neural and/or musculo-neural activity giving rise to the feeling, knowledge and a state of awareness/consciousness related with upward movement (physical plane) and/or journey (mental plane). In short, "awareness of upliftment (ujjāyi, uddiyāna, utthāna)" for the Self.
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