Yoga is an ancient practice consisting of asana (yoga postures), pranayama (control of the breath), meditation and more. Originating in India, yoga focuses on aligning mind, body and spirit. Yoga is a broad, lifelong learning practice, with many techniques and sacred texts available for study. Apana vayu and akasha are yogic terms that focus on balancing specific parts of the body.
Defining Apana Vayu
According to the Himalayan Institute, apanas help to engage the innate life force, which yoga is ultimately about. Vayu, meanwhile, means "to move" or "to go." The vayus are separated into five subdivisions of that life force within the body. Apana vayu --- the "anchoring breath" --- is most active in the pelvis and lower region. It helps to eliminate all body excretions, such as urination and menstruation. It helps to control the downward movement of energy.
Benefits of Apana Vayu
Asanas, or physical poses in hatha yoga, help to bring apana vayu into balance. Conditions like premenstrual syndrome are signs of apana vayu out of balance. When apana vayu is functioning at optimum, the immune system is as well. It helps to keep the body free of all disease, since it works to eliminate disease from the body. Apana vayu helps keep the foundation of health strong and the body to feel grounded.
Akasha
"Yoga Magazine" defines akasha as the element related to space or ether. It influences sound perception and the ears. The way the brain interprets sound is related to akasha. Akasha is said to influence or convey sound. It is the energetic space in which sound waves travels inside the body, or the gravitational energy that helps the brain to interpret sound waves.
Practices
Bring apana vayu and akasha into optimum functioning within the body by practicing certain yoga postures or breathing techniques. Yoga poses that focus on strengthening and stretching the pelvis region help apana vayu, --- bound angle pose, for example. Sit down on the floor and open your knees to the side so your feet touch in front of you. Lightly bend over them in a forward-fold fashion. Kapalabhati is a breathing technique that can help bring both into balance, the Himalayan Institute notes. Place your hand on your stomach and exhale rapidly through your nose. Make sure your stomach pumps and moves with each exhale so the inhale naturally follows. Do this for several minutes, then take a break.
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