Yoga Asana
The ultimate goal of yoga is moksha (liberation).
The word yoga comes from the sanskrit word ‘yuj’ that is said to mean union. Often described in this way:
“Union of body and mind; breath and movement; ease and effort; and ultimately, union of the individual self with the divine self.”
Hatha yoga regards the body as a vehicle for the soul on its journey towards union. The purpose of Hatha yoga is to purify the body, balance the physical, mental and energetic fields, and awaken pure consciousness through practices rooted in the physical body.
According to the yogic view of the self, we are not our bodies. Our body belongs to us – but it is not us. It is like a garment, or a machine, that we temporarily possess. However, in this life, body, mind and consciousness are inseparable.
Yoga Asana
Yoga asana are the poses/postures with which yoga is generally identified in the west.
Asana is the third element of the eightfold path of yoga described in Panajali’s Yoga Sutra’s. It is the discipline of the body, as the vehicle for the atma (higher self), using postures to keep it strong, disease-free and to enhance and preserve vital energy.
The literal translation of the sanskrit word ‘asana’ means ‘to take one’s seat’. One of the few foundational yoga sutra’s that discusses asana says “sthira sukham asanam”. Sthira means ‘to be stable or firm’, Sukham means ‘to be soft, at ease, relaxed’. In this context, asana was practiced in order to develop the ability to sit in a comfortable, steady position for extended periods of meditation.
Certain specific body positions, asanas, open the energy channels and psychic centres. Developing control of the body through asana practice enables control of the mind and the energy and harmonises the body and mind.
Both the body and the mind harbour tensions or knots. Every mental knot has a corresponding physical, muscular knot and vice versa. The aim of asana is to release these knots. Asanas release mental tensions by dealing with them on the physical level, acting somato-physically through the body to the mind.
Sivananda Hatha Yoga Tradition
Asana is one of 5 aspects of yoga emphasised by the Sivananda Hatha tradition to maintain the body and mind in good condition, so as they serve us well on our pathway to liberation. The 5 are:
- Asana (proper exercise)
- Pranayama (proper breathing)
- Yoga nidra (proper relaxation and good sleep)
- Proper diet
- Dyhana (meditation and positive thinking)
Sivanada view of Asana
(Reference: https://www.sivananda.org/teachings/fivepoints.html#exercise)
Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and joints, then disease and great discomfort will ensue with time. Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner while beneficial to the body, mind and spiritual life.
There are numerous modern physical culture systems designed to develop the muscles through mechanical movements and exercises. As Yoga regards the body as a vehicle for the soul on its journey towards perfection, Yogic physical exercises are designed to develop not only the body. They also broaden the mental faculties and the spiritual capacities.
The Yogic physical exercises are called Asanas, a term which means to take one’s seat. This is because the Yoga Asana (or posture) is meant to be held for some time. However this is quite an advanced practice. Initially, our concern is simply to increase body flexibility.
The body is as young as it is flexible. Yoga exercises focus on the health of the spine, its strength and flexibility. The spinal column houses the all-important nervous system, the telegraphic system of the body. By maintaining the spine’s flexibility and strength through exercise, circulation is increased and the nerves are ensured their supply of nutrients and oxygen.
Asanas also affect the internal organs and the endocrine system (glands and hormones).
