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## The Nature of Pranayama
The fifth chapter of Yoga Shastra, verses 14 to 20, describe the location, color, action, meaning, and seed of the five vital airs. By knowing these, yogis conquer them through practices like Rechaka (exhalation) and other Pranayamas. ||13||
**Location, Color, and Conquering Pranavaayu**
||476|| Pranavaayu resides in the tip of the nose, the heart, the navel, and extends to the big toe. Its color is green. It should be conquered through the practice of Gamagama (exhalation and inhalation) and Dharana (concentration). ||14||
**Gamagama and Dharana**
||477|| Gamagama is achieved by repeatedly filling and emptying the air in the nasal cavity and other locations. Dharana is achieved by holding the breath (Kumbhaka). ||15||
**Location, Color, and Conquering Apana Vaayu**
||478|| Apana Vaayu is black in color. It resides in the nape of the neck, the back, the anus, and the heel. It should be conquered by repeatedly exhaling and inhaling in these locations. ||16||
**Location, Color, and Conquering Samana Vaayu**
||479|| Samana Vaayu is white in color. It resides in the heart, the navel, and all the joints. It should be conquered by repeatedly exhaling, inhaling, and holding the breath in its respective locations. ||17||
**Location, Color, and Conquering Udana Vaayu**
||480|| Udana Vaayu is red in color. It resides in the heart, throat, palate, the middle of the eyebrows, and the head. It should be controlled through the practice of movement and stillness. ||18||
**Movement and Stillness**
||481|| Udana Vaayu should be drawn from the outside through the nose and placed in the heart and other locations. If it moves to another location, it should be forcefully restrained and held there repeatedly. This means holding the breath (Kumbhaka) for a while and then exhaling. In other words, the air should be slowly exhaled through one nostril, then inhaled through the same nostril and held. This will subdue the air. ||19||
**Location, Color, and Conquering Vyanavaayu**
||482|| Vyanavaayu is multi-colored like a rainbow. It resides in all parts of the skin. It should be conquered through the practice of Kumbhaka, contraction, and expansion (inhalation and exhalation). ||20||
**Seed Mantras for the Five Vayus**
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