Why do we do the physical practice in
yoga is it to become more flexible – both physically and mentally? Is it
a just Physical Exercise? Or we need some thing else?
“asana” has become synonymous with
“yoga” in the minds of most people. but it is a only one part of
yoga When yoga was introduced in the
West, the postures were easy to popularize, asana practice has been easy
to market but there are many other things but today we discuss Asana
Asanas, the postures practiced in yoga, comprise the third limb. In
the yogic view, the body is a temple of spirit, the care of which is an
important stage of our spiritual growth. Through the practice of asanas, we
develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate, both of which
are necessary for meditation Asana
is one of the most important part of yoga
But the practice of asanas is not just physical exercise
rather it requires the participation of one’s whole being, with awareness of
oneself in relation to the physical position and movement, the breath,
relaxation of the muscles and so forth. Our real existence has three aspects
body, mind, and consciousness. By doing asanas we are aiming to influence all
three aspects into one harmonious whole.
According to maharishi patanjali Asana is
स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥
An asana is what is steady and pleasant
The main purpose of Asana is to prepare oneself so that
one can be steady and comfortable to sit and meditate. That’s why ultimately
two most important asanas are Padmasana (Lotus pose) & Siddhasana (Perfect
pose). When one is able to maintain a posture for 2-3 hours in a steady and
comfortable way then one can be accepted as a master of asana.
While practicing asanas, we need relaxed and deep
breathing and we need to be very much aware of posture and different stretched
and contracted parts of the body while holding the posture, a yogi needs to
relax the stressed parts and develop steady and comfortable posture.
But
today, people often go to “yoga” classes to enhance their physical fitness only,
and in most classes asanas are taught as a means of addressing the concerns of
the body only but the
practice of asana is also done for opening the energy channels (nadis) and
psychic centers (chakras). Asana practice helps one to develop control over
body and in turn by having control over the body, the mind is also controlled.
When a yogi practices asana, prana in nadis flows freely and because of which
there are lesser chances of disease. Because when prana flow through blocked energy
channels (nadis) , it invites many diseases in the body. Stiffness in the body is due to blockages and
accumulation of toxins. By opening the energy channels, prana begins to flow,
toxins are removed and the body becomes light and flexible. When a yogi
increases the flow of prana in the body, performing different mudras and
pranayama also becomes very easy. And one can also perform very difficult
asanas very easily.
And when one can be steady and comfortable to sit it
helps him to mediate for a long time because meditation
was the goal and asanas were a means of enhancing the capacity of the body and
mind so that a person could sit in meditation for long periods with as few
distractions as possible and it helps us in our yogic path it helps us
to understand our self and the world and it solve the purpose of yoga the union
it make union of body and mind and the union of mind and soul and the union of
soul with supreme power
