In Vedic astrology & Ayurveda, "Vāyu" (air, prāṇa) is considered the life-force that governs movement, circulation, and subtle energies in the body.
There are 10 types of vāyu (winds/airs), each with its own role in the body, mind, and karmic/astrological connections.
🔟 Types of Vāyu (Air Principles)
1. Prāṇa Vāyu (பிராண வாயு)
- Location: Heart, chest, lungs
- Function: Governs breathing, heartbeat, inhalation of life-force, consciousness.
- Astrology: Connected with Sun (Ātman) and Moon (Mind).
- Imbalance: Anxiety, asthma, chest problems, disturbed sleep.
2. Apāna Vāyu (அபான வாயு)
- Location: Lower abdomen, colon, reproductive organs
- Function: Elimination (urine, stool), sexual energy, childbirth.
- Astrology: Linked with Saturn (excretion, old age) and Venus (reproduction).
- Imbalance: Constipation, piles, infertility, urinary issues.
3. Samāna Vāyu (சமாந வாயு)
- Location: Navel (digestive fire, Agni)
- Function: Digestion, absorption, balancing upward & downward flows of energy.
- Astrology: Ruled by Jupiter (digestion, wisdom, expansion).
- Imbalance: Indigestion, obesity, malnutrition, weak metabolism.
4. Udāna Vāyu (உதாந வாயு)
- Location: Throat, upward channels
- Function: Speech, self-expression, enthusiasm, spiritual upliftment, upward movement of soul after death.
- Astrology: Related to Mercury (speech) & Rahu/Ketu (soul movement).
- Imbalance: Speech disorders, throat diseases, lack of confidence.
5. Vyāna Vāyu (வியான வாயு)
- Location: Circulates throughout the body
- Function: Circulation of blood, nerve impulses, movement of limbs.
- Astrology: Linked to Mars (muscular energy, blood) and Moon (fluids).
- Imbalance: Poor circulation, paralysis, tremors, lack of coordination.
6. Nāga Vāyu (நாக வாயு)
- Function: Governs hiccups, belching, yawning.
- Astrology: Connected with Ketu (sudden movements, irregularities).
- Imbalance: Excess hiccups, indigestion, respiratory spasms.
7. Kūrma Vāyu (கூர்ம வாயு)
- Function: Controls blinking, eyesight, opening/closing of eyelids.
- Astrology: Related to Sun (vision) and Moon (eye fluids).
- Imbalance: Eye strain, dryness, blinking issues, poor vision.
8. Kṛkara Vāyu (க்ரிகர வாயு)
- Function: Governs sneezing, hunger, thirst, coughing.
- Astrology: Associated with Mercury (nervous impulses) & Mars (reflexes).
- Imbalance: Allergies, chronic cough, weak appetite.
9. Devadatta Vāyu (தேவதத்த வாயு)
- Function: Governs yawning, induces sleep, relaxation.
- Astrology: Connected with Moon (mind, sleep) & Venus (pleasure).
- Imbalance: Insomnia, excessive sleepiness, fatigue.
10. Dhanañjaya Vāyu (தனஞ்சய வாயு)
- Location: Present in the whole body but especially in the heart.
- Function: Remains even after death, causes post-mortem changes (swelling, decomposition, sometimes said to cause corpse movement).
- Astrology: Linked with Saturn (death, decay) & Pluto (transformation).
- Imbalance: Heart diseases, post-death complications.
✅ In astrology, imbalance of these vāyus is often seen through planetary afflictions, especially involving Mercury (nerves), Saturn (vata dosha), Moon (fluids), and Sun (prāṇa shakti).
✅ Yogic practices (Prāṇāyāma, Āsana, Bandhas) are prescribed to balance these vāyus.