Vayu - The Element of Air

On this Spot, Sadhguru calls attention to the immense possibilities that the
element of air presents, how it functions within the human system, and how we
can activate and benefit from it. He says, Vayu or air is the best dimension to
work with for part-time yogis, because it is relatively easy to master.
Blog Home Sadhguru Sadhguru SpotAug 3, 2016
Vayu - The Element of Air
3.4k
Shares
I
n the yogic tradition, we refer to air as vayu, which not just means air as a
mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases, but as a dimension
of movement. Among the five basic elements - earth, fire, water, air, and ether which make us and everything in the universe, air is the most accessible and
relatively the easiest element to gain reasonable mastery over. Hence, a large
number of yogic practices are structured around vayu or air, though in the
composition of the body, air makes up only a small percentage.
The area between the navel and the pit of the throat is the main activity zone of
prana.
Most of the yogic practices that involve an element of breathing are aimed
towards vayu or prana vayu. Vayu is the element - prana vayu is one of the
pancha pranas. We are in a womb of prana, which is the atmospheric bubble.
This larger prana breaks down into eighty-four pranas. Out of these, five pranas
can cover the day-to-day requirements of most human beings. These pancha
pranas are sufficient to keep your body and mind well, and yourself spiritually
alive. Another ten are needed for someone who is into occult practices. The
remaining pranas are generally too subtle to explore and experience. The prana
vayu is an inward movement between the pit of the throat and the navel. At least
sixty percent of the process of Shakti Chalana Kriya[1] that we teach is aimed
towards prana vayu. We focus on this element because the quality of the air that
we breathe and how we breathe largely determines peoples surface experience
of life.
I would say almost ninety-nine percent of the people today are only concerned
about how to navigate their way through the world in a reasonably pleasant and
successful manner. There are very few who seek to become perceptive to
another dimension of life. In this context, vayu and prana vayu become most
significant, because a certain level of mastery over prana instantly enhances the
sharpness of the intellect. That means the practice of Shakti Chalana Kriya can
leave you a little smarter. Your emotions get a little more stable, organized, and
sweet. And you can do some physical activity better than you used to. For most
people, these three aspects are all they want in life.

The impact of the air that we breathe is very immediate. You can go without food
for eight to ten days without causing damage to the system. You can go without
water for