Asana

Asana is Sanskrit for "seat". It is no accident that this word be chosen to describe the "posture" of Yoga. The idea of the "seat" in this context refers not only to the physical position of the body, but to the position of the spirit in relation to Divinity. This idea is often referred to as the "One Seat", by Yogis and Buddhists alike.

Modern usage of the word ''asana'' in reference to the practice of Yoga generally intends the lesser definition; a physical posture or pose. Patanjali , in the Yoga Sutra describes ''asana'' as sitting meditation, where meditation is the path to a realization of the Self. Looking at these two ideas in contrast, we see the idea of ''asana'' as both simple posture and a path to the unity of spirit.

Although, as noted, the original idea of ''asana'' referred to sitting meditation, that idea has evolved over the centuries to produce the variety of body positions that we are familiar with today. These postures have their roots in devotion and/or health, but ultimately all are intended to lead back to the possiblity of sitting more comfortably in meditation.

The practice of ''asana'' promotes Muscle flexibility, and Bone and Hard Tissue strength, as well as massaging the Organs , and bringing into balance various internal and Glandular functions. A more esoteric intention is facilitating the flow of Prana (vital energy; Qi in Chinese; ki in Japanese) to aid in balancing the Koshas , or sheaths of the physical and metaphysical body.

The physical aspect of Yoga ''asana'' has been much popularized in the West, and is touted by a great many people, and devoted celebrity-practitioners like Madonna and Sting have contribited to the increase visibility of the practice. This has given rise to a misconception that ''asana'' practice is the sole aspect of Yoga . Yoga ''asana'' are actually part of Hatha Yoga , which is just one of several different Yogic paths.

In the Yoga Sutra , Patanjali writes of ''asana'' as the third of the 8 limbs in Classical or Raja Yoga . Those eight limbs are the Yamas (obligations) and Niyamas (devotions), asana (postures), Pranayama (breath work), Pratyahara , (sense withdrawal or non-attachment), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi , (a realization of the True Self and unity with God ).

CONDITIONS & GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR ASANA PRACTICE

In the Yoga Sutra , Patanjali suggests that the only requirements for asana is that it be "steady and comfortable". The body should be held firm, relaxed, and the practitioner should not experience discomfort of any kind. Tightness or tension observed within the body should be consciously relaxed. Breathing should be natural, through the nose and into the belly. This abdominal breathing Pranayama is called ''ujjayi'' (pr., oo-JI-ya), or the "ocean breath". Ujjayi means "lifted up".

According to Yoga practitioners, when bodily control is mastered, they are free from what they call the 'pairs of opposites,' such as heat and cold, hunger and thirst, joy and grief, and so on. This non-dulaistic perspective comes from the Sankya school of the Himalayan Masters.

Listed below are traditional directions for performing asana:

A glass of fresh water should be taken before performing asanas.

Stomach should be empty. Asana can be performed 8 hours after a meal, 2 hours after a glass of milk and one hour after eating fruit.

Always perform asana early in the morning. If this is not possible,the next best time would be evening, around dusk.

Rich, very dry, left-overs, very hot or too much food should be avoided.

Force or pressure should not be used while performing asana.

One must not go out in the cold after performing asana.

Lower the head and other parts of the body slowly; in particular, raised heels should be lowered slowly.

The breathing should be controlled and always through the nose. The benefits of asana increase if Pranayama is performed simultaneously.

If the body is stressed, perform ''savasana'' (corpse pose).

Asana should be performed in a well-lit, clean and ventilated room. The atmosphere should be peaceful.

Light physical exercises, followed by asana, pranayama and meditation is the ideal sequence.

Asanas, especially inverted poses, are to be avoided during menstruation. (This suggestion is totally invalid. It originated in ancient asana practice (from which women were banned completely) and was used to subjugate women when they were allowed to practice. Inversions have NO detrimental effects on menstration.) (Note: In contrast, some modern teachers do recommend asana for relief from cramps during this period.)

During pregnancy, after the first 3 months, exercises that require lying on stomach are to be avoided. (Inverted poses should be avoided especially in the third trimester - This site recommends it for pregnancy {Link without Title} ''- not too sure, clarification requested.'')

YOGA ''ASANA'' (POSES OR POSTURES)

"There are an infinite number of Yoga ''asana''." ( Sri Dharma Mittra ).

In 1975, as an offering of devotion to his " by Dharma Mittra (New World Library; 2003 ISBN 1577314026). Although there is no way to establish an exact set of postures, this work is considered the definitive collection by students and Yogis, alike.

Along with the above mentioned resource, there is a wealth of knowledge on this subject available in books, and on the internet. It is best, however, to begin under the direction of an experienced, and hopefully certified, Yoga instructor. This person can observe the execution of postures, as well as providing more in-depth instruction to aid in both your basic practice, and your development as a student.

SEE ALSO

List Of Hatha Yoga Postures

Upside-down Posture In Hatha Yoga

EXTERNAL LINKS

#Yahoo Yoga ''A good site with instructions for a lot of asanas'' http://www.yahooyoga.com/
#Sri Swami Chidananda The Philosophy, the Psychology, and Practice of Yoga http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/
#Yoga ''A Website with instructions on some asanas(postures) and pranayam'' http://yoga.us.to/
#Bikram Yoga Poses ''Website with illustrations of the 26 Bikram Yoga Poses'' http://www.trustyguides.com/features/bikram-yoga-poses/
#Sri Swami Krishnananda The Yoga System http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/
#Download the complete text of Sri Swami Krishnananda's and Sri Swami Chidananda's material quoted above from: http://www.dlshq.org/download/download.htm
#Hatha Yoga Pradipika by ''Swami Svatmarama'' Foreward by B. K. S. Iyengar. Commentary by Hans Ulrich Rieker. Translated by Elsy Becherer. Harper Collins, Aquarian/Thorsons, 1972. Complete text online, 321 Kb. http://lib.ru/URIKOVA/SANTEM/SVATMARAMA/hyp.txt_with-big-pictures.html

#List of All Asanas With Pictures http://www.santosha.com/asanas
#Exercises (Asanas) for modern lifestyle http://yoga.tts.lt/ru (Russian)

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Asana