Prana vayu governs the region of the chest cavity form the diaphragm to the collarbones and includes the lungs, rib cage, and entire upper torso. Linked with the in - breath, the pranic patters is an upward, expansive, centrifugal, opening pattern.

Working with the pranic pattern during inhalation helps you elongate along the central axis and encourages spaciousness and receptivity within the torso. Stopping the upward course of prana vayu and redirecting it downward into the belly is called jalandhara bandha. The skillful yogi learns to recognize the upward expansive prana vayu pattern and thus gain mastery over the intake of prana into her body.