Udana vayu has the very special task of bringing our energy into higher planes of consciousness. For example, when you are awake and in the process of falling asleep, this is udana vayu in action. When you transition further into a deep sleep, udana vayu is flowing to support you towards the dream state, and beyond. When you die, it's believed that udana vayu directs your prana to return as one with the whole universe; like a drop of water coming back to the ocean for respite. This is when you are said to experience true yoga, union, on the journey towards reincarnation - when it all starts again. 

The yoga scriptures described this samana vayu as the 'middle breath'. Samana vayu helps us to keep our balance between the intake of energy (prana vayu) and the release of energy (apana vayu). When you hit two small rocks together, one moving up and the other moving down, you get a spark - fire - agni - this is samana vayu in action. 

Apana vayu means letting go. Surrendering. Crying. Laughing uncontrollably. Yes, farting as well. The direction of apana vayu prana (down and out energy) flows most unrestricted when we are deeply asleep. When there is a full energetic reset. Female bodies may perhaps recognise the call of apana vayu more intimately than others, because it is so undeniable when menstruation happens - the urge to cry, rest, release, start again. Every single month, for some, like clockwork. In a cycle. Winter is when the world blows in the direction of apana vayu.

The yogis believed that choosing to slow down your breath, focus on your breath, experience your breath, discipline your breath, would lead to an improved life experience in every possible sense, because what you are really doing is focusing your life energy, guiding it, disciplining it, letting it move for you in a way that serves you.

The five vayus are often translated as the 'five sacred winds', because they are defined as the intentionality of energy moving within the body. Each of the five vayus governs a different function in the body, like digestion, discernment, expression, circulation, and so on.

It is interesting to note that even joy and happiness is thought of as an illusion in yogic texts; a craving that can ultimately lead to suffering. When we talk about the koshas accurately we are not just talking about a perceived reality, but rather an ancient system of observing story and impermanence; the five ways through which we can misunderstand the truth. 

Rather than making yoga into a goal-orientated sport of trying to squeeze bodies into poses, use it instead as a practice for cultivating confidence in your ability to feel for and follow what you know is right. Your alignment is unique to you, it changes every single day, and if you can practice finding it on your mat - you might find it easier to practice finding it in your life as well. Cue the glorious end of people pleasing! 

The wisdom body is a sensory body, a feeling body. It is the right instinct to run without first having a rational cause. It is the whisper on the wind that says go there, not that way, not just yet, this is it, wait, go now.

Your mind is like a shallow pond of water through which you are trying to see your own reflection. When the water is agitated, all you see is illusion. But if you can still the water, allow it to grow calm, the answer becomes clear.

Empathy and compassion are skills that cannot be undervalued in our world. But living too much in the energy body can be like walking around with no skin - painful, exposed, and without the power to help those whose pain you take you on so bravely. 

There is a place deep within you that is wise and knows the way. And if you go even deeper than that, there is a whole and pure part of you that is living, constantly, in a state of unconditional bliss….