YOGA ASANAS: MEANING, DEFINITION AND PURPOSE

 

The word "asana" is certainly familiar to everyone who has taken a yoga lesson. The physical yoga positions, or asanas, are the cornerstone of a contemporary hatha yoga practice. There is a vast spectrum of difficulty and intricacy in the yoga asanas, even though most schools just cover the fundamentals. We must study the asanas' past, present, and future applications in yoga in order to comprehend and master them thoroughly. Having this understanding makes it possible for us to practice in a profound, insightful, and deep way.

Yoga asana definition and meaning

The Sanskrit term asana translates to "posture," "seat," or "place." The positions we take when practicing hatha yoga are known as asanas. Sanskrit and English names are assigned to each position. Nearly the majority of the poses' Sanskrit names finish in "asana." Examples include the traditional lotus pose, Padmasana, and the ubiquitous tree pose, Vrikshasana. Numerous asana names are derived from the contours and motions of various creatures and natural phenomena. Varied schools of yoga have different names, and some names have evolved over time. Numerous asanas have been referred to by a variety of names over the years.

Pose variations abound, yet they always adhere to the same fundamental concepts of alignment and muscular activation. They range from basic twists and backbends to challenging balancing poses. Each individual posture has a number of variations, and each variation has its own advantages, goals, and difficulties.

A posture known as an asana can be performed in two ways: as a motionless, static position that can be kept for several breaths, or as a part of a dynamic, flowing movement that lasts for only a single inhalation or exhalation. The length of time it is held depends on the yoga school practiced, as well as the degree of difficulty and intensity of the physical position. The positions are held for a while in Iyengar Yoga, for instance, which stresses yoga anatomy and physical alignment. In contrast, Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga techniques switch up positions swiftly, coordinating breath with movement as in sun salutations.

While there is no right or wrong way to perform any asana, it is important to follow certain guidelines about alignment, breathing, and awareness in order to avoid injury and get the most out of yoga.

What number of yoga positions are there?

One of the earliest yogic works to use the word asana was Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It is one of the eight limbs of yoga according to Patanjali, who also states in sutra 2.47 that asana should be "steady and comfortable." Although the original Hatha Yoga Pradipika literature only lists 18 asanas, it continues, "Shiva taught 84 asanas." However, later literature known as The Gheranda Samhita states that "Shiva has described 8,400,000 asanas. There are as many different postures as there are types of living things in the cosmos. The best among them is 84, and 32 of these 84 have been discovered to be helpful to humanity in this world.

The History of the poses

Simple seated poses were the initial asanas, which yogis would hold while meditation. They were solid yet cozy shapes made to help one focus, relax their muscles, and reach a deep state of meditation.

Since then, a growing number of asanas have been developed for various purposes. The Goraksha Sataka book, written in the 11th century, was the first to mention a non-seated asana. There are 18 poses listed in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika from the 15th century, yet there are no standing poses among them. The Gheranda Samhita, which was written in the 17th century, is where non-seated positions are first documented.

B. K. S. Iyengar incorporated the asanas his instructor Krishnamacharya developed by combining traditional Indian wrestling, gymnastics, and British Army calisthenics in the renowned asana book Light on Yoga, published in 1966. An "Ultimate Yoga Chart" poster with a list of 908 asanas was established in 1974 by yoga teacher Sri Dharma Mittra and then turned into a book.

The Distinction between Asanas and other forms of Physical Activity

Stretching, breathing, mindfulness, and meditation are all used in the yoga practice to boost flexibility and strength while lowering stress. It's more of a study of the mind-body relationship than it is an exercise. It's a comprehensive way of life that emphasizes a spiritual and mental journey above a physical one.

Gymnastics, on the other hand, and other forms of exercise place a greater emphasis on increasing muscle strength, stamina, and endurance through short repetitions or sets of movement. Breath exercises, mindfulness, or strengthening the mind-body connection are not prioritized. Contrary to weightlifting or running, yoga is not a sport. It is intended to promote non-judgment, kindness, and compassion for oneself and others while encouraging regulated movement to improve balance, coordination, and attention.

Purpose and Advantages of Asanas

Asana is employed as a low-impact type of exercise in modern times, with a primary focus on its health advantages. While promoting a healthy body and preventing sickness were traditional asana goals, the emphasis was largely on the asana's spiritual benefits and meaning. The energy and intellect of the body are likewise calmed and brought into focus through learning to manage and discipline the body. The following are some of the more established and sometimes obscure goals of consistent asana practice:

• Yoga asanas are performed to strengthen the mind and body so that they can survive the rigors of tapas, the austerity exercises necessary to achieve enlightenment.
• Prana, the life-force energy that travels through the nadis or energy channels of the body, is controlled, purified, and nurtured through yoga poses.
• Balance is created in the mind, emotions, and energy through asana practice. Regular asana practice can help you control your emotions and minimize negative thought patterns.
• One of the many yogic techniques used to lessen negative karma and stop its buildup is asana.
• The more complex physical practices of pranayama, bandha, and mudra are facilitated by a grounded and steady physical practice. These hatha yoga techniques support the greater investigation of the subtle body while helping to focus and quiet the energy.
• Through the levels of the koshas and subtle body, one can examine the conscious and unconscious mind with the help of strong asana practice. This enables one to understand their own nature and the nature of reality.

Asana's continued Importance in the Yoga Tradition

When compared to the breadth and depth of the yoga tradition as a whole, asanas are a very minor element of yoga. They represent a tiny portion of a more extensive and older body of knowledge, philosophy, lineage, and skills. You can study other facets of yoga, such as breathing techniques, meditation, social norms, self-observances, food, dedication, or selfless service, for instance, without engaging in any asanas.

The union of a person's unique mind, body, and spirit is yoga's ultimate goal. By exercising self-control and self-awareness, you can find serenity within yourself by doing yoga positions. The purpose of asanas was not to be a stand-alone exercise. Instead, they were designed to enhance the other yoga activities. To do yoga join online yoga classes without going anywhere to make your body fit.