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( Asana)
Asana (Sanskrit ??? sitting down < ?? to sit down[1]) is a body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, intended primarily to restore and maintain a practitioner's well-being, improve the body's flexibility and vitality, and promote the ability to remain in seated meditation for extended periods.[2] In the context of Yoga practice, asana refers to two things the place where a practitioner (yogin (general usage); yogi (male); yogini (female)) sits and the manner (posture) in which s/he sits.[3] In the Yoga sutras, Patanjali suggests that asana is "to be seated in a position that is firm, but relaxed".[4] As the repertoire of postures has expanded and moved beyond the simple sitting posture over the centuries, modern usage has come to include variations from lying on the back and standing on the head, to a variety of other positions.[2]In the Yoga sutras, Patanjali mentions the execution of an asana as the third of the eight limbs of Classical or Raja yoga.[5] The word asana in Sanskrit does appear in many contexts denoting a static physical position, although, as noted, traditional usage is specific to the practice of yoga. Traditional usage defines asana as both singular and plural. In English, plural for asana is defined as asanas. In addition, English usage within the context of yoga practice sometimes specifies yogasana or yoga asana, particularly with regard to the system of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. That said, yogasana is also the name of a particular posture that is not specifically associated with the Vinyasa system, and that while "ashtanga" (small 'a') refers to the eight limbs of Yoga delineated below, Ashtanga (capital 'A') refers to the specific system of Yoga developed by Sri Krishnamacharya at the Mysore Palace. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes asana as the third of the eight limbs of classical, or Raja Yoga. Asanas are the physical movements of yoga practice and, in combination with pranayama or breathing techniques constitute the style of yoga referred to as Hatha Yoga.[6] In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes asana as a "firm, comfortable posture", referring specifically to the seated posture, most basic of all the asanas. He further suggests that meditation is the path to samadhi; transpersonal self-realization. [7] The eight limbs are, in order, the yamas (restrictions), niyamas (observances), asanas (postures), pranayama (breath work), pratyahara (sense withdrawal or non-attachment), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (realization of the true Self or Atman, and unity with Brahman (the Hindu and Vedantic interpretation of God, also the Taoist Supreme Ultimate, the Judaic Yahweh, the Islamic Allah, or simply the Godhead, etc.)).[5][7]
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Asana Subcategories
Asana Articles
YOGA by shankar mystica
Yoga is a perfect practical system of self-culture. Yoga is an exact science. It aims at the harmonious development of the body, the mind and the soul. Yoga is the turning away of the senses from the objective u...
Yoga And Meditation by Himalayam org
Himalayam offers Yoga Teacher Training Center India a complete form of Yogic process combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and a diverse philosophy. Our Spiritual Healers is intended to increase relaxation and balance the mind,...
The eight steps, branches or aspects of the RAJA YOGA by Corrado Vinci
The Yoga is traditionally divided into eight aspects or helps, also said Astanga.
Transcribed in the Yoga Sutra by Test Patanjali, the helps am inter-related; each of them has several facets which reveal themselves through the study of the te...
The Benefits of Yoga by Spyros Kapnias Garudananda
Yoga is a healing system of theory and practice. It is a combination of breathing exercises (pranayama), physical postures (asana), deep relaxation (yoga nidra) and meditation (dyana), practiced for more than 5,000 years.
While Yoga evolved a...
The practical benefits of yogic asanas and its impact on the human's physical well-being. by Chaker Saaf
The ultimate aim of all yogic asanas is to prepare the body to achieve that tranquility of mind which is necessary for the realization of the Supreme or God-consciousness. The practice of asanas conserves energy, whether voluntary or involunt...
Derive the Most Out of Various Yoga Asanas with the Help of Yoga Accessories by Bertil Hjert
The markets of sporting goods are equipped with a comprehensive range of yoga accessories, which enable you to practice your yoga asanas in a more comfortable manner which will further lead to derive maximum out of them.
But it is not necess...
Yoga - Reap the Benefits of Yoga Asanas by Performing Various Yoga Positions by Bertil Hjert
As we all know, yoga is a group of ancient spiritual practices, which has shown a tremendous growth in generating awareness among the people all across the globe, regarding their physical fitness since last few decades.
Yoga is not only conf...
Warming-up for the Yoga Poses by Sarah Williams
The procedure of yoga poses are meant to enhance both the mind and body. It takes discipline, dedication, and daily practice to carry out these poses. But the prize is always w...
Paschimotanasana Yoga by Francis Adam
Purva and paschima are the Sanskrit words for the east and west. In the context of the human body purva means the front side or the ventral side, paschima meaning the dorsal or back side. Tana means to stretch. Thus the name of this asana indicates t...
Shirshasana - Yogasana by Francis Adam
As pointed out earlier this is actually a variety of Viparitakarani mudra. It is popularly called the head stand as in it one stands on the head, which is called 'shirsha' in Sanskrit. Sitting on the seat with the feet behind and knees in front, the ...
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