Apana

One of the five main prāṇas (pañca prāṇa). It is the descending and eliminative energy, located in the pelvic region and lower abdomen.

Functions:

• Elimination (urine, feces)
• Ejaculation and menstruation
• Childbirth
• General downward movement

Apāna naturally flows downward. A central goal of haṭha yoga is to reverse this flow through mūla bandha, forcing apāna to ascend and unite with prāṇa (the ascending energy) in the navel region.

This union of prāṇa and apāna:

• Generates intense heat
• Awakens kuṇḍalinī
• Is essential for prāṇa to enter suṣumṇā