Prana Vayu

Prana Vayu is the type of vata which is the life-energy or the vital-force in the form of breath.

Prana Vayu is the type of vata which is the life-energy or the vital-force in the form of breath. 

Prana Vayu is the strongest amongst all the types of Vata. If Prana Vata is imbalanced or weak, then all other types of Vata are also going to be functioning sub-optimally.¹

Both Prana Vayu and Udana Vayu together control many functions of the brain and the whole nervous system.¹

Locations:

• Head
• Chest
• Brain
• Heart¹
• Throat¹

Functions:

• Perceptions and movements of all kinds.
• Controls involuntary functions of the body¹
• Respiratory activities
• Swallowing of food
• Conversion of breath into life-force
• Spitting and sneezing

Ailments due to its vitiation: 

• Hiccoughs
• Cough
• Bronchial asthma
• Cold and sore throat
• Feeling of fainting
• Syncope
• Some respiratory and neurological disorders
• Involuntary movements in the body¹
• Decrease in the functioning of the sense organs¹

Sources:

Primary Source: Acharya Balkrishna's A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthy Living.

1. School of Ayurveda and Panchkarma - Lectures and Notes