Five root winds 五根本氣

The five root winds (Tib. tsawa lung nga; Wyl. rtsa ba rlung lnga) or five major winds (Tib. lung chen nga; Wyl. rlung chen lnga) are part of the our subtle psycho-physical system. Each of the root winds supports an element and is responsible for a function of the human body. They are:

1. 持命氣 The 'life-supporting wind' (Tib. sok dzin lung; Wyl. srog 'dzin rlung). Located in the brain, this lung regulates functions such as swallowing, inhalation, and concentration.
2. 上行氣 The 'upward-moving wind' (Tib.gyengyu lung; Wyl. gyen rgyu rlung). Located in the chest and thorax, this lung regulates, among other things, speech, the body's energy and vitality, memory, mental endeavour and diligence.
3. 遍行氣 The 'all-pervading wind' (Tib. khyap ché lung; Wyl. khyab byed rlung). Residing in the heart, this lung controls all the motor activities of the body.
4. 平行氣 The 'fire-accompanying wind' (Tib. me nyam né lung; Wyl. me mnyam gnas rlung). Found in the stomach and abdomen area, the fire-accompanying wind regulates digestion and metabolism.
5. 下行氣 The 'downward-clearing wind' (Tib. thursel lung; Wyl. thur sel rlung). Located in the rectum, bowels and perineal region, this lung's function is to expel faeces, urine, semen, and menstrual blood. It also regulates uterine contractions during labour (to allow the foetus to be 'expelled').

Internal Links

• Five branch winds