So, you have put on your comfortable and breathable yoga outfit, rolled up your yoga mat neatly, packed some snacks and water, and you are ready to head out for a hot yoga class at your favorite local studio. The weather is gorgeous and you feel called to take a selfie for your Instagram post, hashtag “morning yoga vibe ✨💪🕉”. You arrive at the studio and the room is already packed; your usual spot is already taken by someone, so you have to put your mat down in a tight corner of the room. The teacher enters the room and announces that there’s some issue with the heating system and today’s practice will be non-heated. The disappointment drops in your gut. Your face lengthens. The teacher begins to cue everyone into poses using a mix of English and Sanskrits pose names. You make your way into downward facing dog pose. The teacher keeps talking about a stretching sensation along the back of the legs but you can’t feel it, your mind is occupied by the fact that the room is not hot, and your spot in the room is not to your liking. You close your eyes and shake your head in disapproval, “Why am I doing this to myself? What is the point of these poses, anyway?”.
A yoga practice sometimes doesn’t look pretty and doesn’t feel good, especially if one does not allow their curiosity for studying their practice to steep beyond the physical layer of yoga poses, or yoga asanas. The following information hopefully can help guide you a bit further in your path of learning the true intention of asanas.
Background
Asanas, in the context of yoga, are physical postures or poses that are practiced to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The word "asana" comes from the Sanskrit language and literally means "seat" or "posture."
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a classical text on yoga philosophy, describe asana as follows:
"Sthira sukham asanam" (Sutra 2.46) - which translates to "The posture (asana) for Yoga meditation should be steady, stable, and comfortable."
Patanjali emphasizes that the practice of asana should be done with both steadiness and ease. This means that while the practitioner should aim to hold the pose with stability and strength, they should also approach it with a sense of relaxation and comfort, without straining or overexerting themselves.
There are many different types of asanas, ranging from simple seated poses to more complicated ones. Some common examples include:
Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana)
Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Child's Pose (Balasana)
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
Lotus Pose (Padmasana)
Headstand (Sirsasana)
Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
It is important to note that while the Yoga Sutras do mention asana as an important part of the eight-limbed path of yoga (more on that later), they do not provide detailed instructions on how to perform individual poses. The practice of asana has evolved over time and has been influenced by various schools of yoga and teachers. Modern yoga practitioners often rely on other texts and resources, such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, for guidance on specific yoga poses and sequences. There are also countless online resources available on yoga asanas, some of which provide detailed instructions and illustrations for various yoga poses. Yoga Journal and Yoga International are among the popular yoga magazines that are beloved by modern practitioners for their content on yoga poses.
The popularization of yoga and asana practice in the West is often attributed to several key figures who helped to introduce and promote these practices to a wider audience. Some of these individuals include:
Swami Vivekananda: A Hindu monk who traveled to the United States in the late 1800s and gave lectures on yoga and Vedanta philosophy. His teachings helped to spark interest in yoga and meditation in the West.
Paramahansa Yogananda: An Indian yogi and spiritual teacher who founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in the United States in the 1920s. His teachings and writings, including his book "Autobiography of a Yogi," helped to popularize yoga and meditation in the West.
B.K.S. Iyengar: An Indian yoga teacher who developed a style of yoga known as Iyengar yoga, which emphasizes proper alignment and the use of props such as blocks and straps to help students achieve the correct posture. His teachings have had a significant influence on the development of modern yoga in the West.
Pattabhi Jois: An Indian yoga teacher who developed a style of yoga known as Ashtanga yoga, which involves a rigorous series of postures practiced in a specific sequence. His teachings have been particularly influential among practitioners of power yoga in the West.
Indra Devi: A Russian-born yoga teacher who studied with Krishnamacharya, one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century. She was the first woman to study under the yoga guru Krishnamacharya at the Mysore Palace, alongside B.K.S Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois. She helped to popularize yoga in Hollywood in the 1940s and 1950s.
Asana and The 8 Limb Yogic Path
It is now time to dive into the true intention of asana. Asana is one of the eight limbs, or branches, of yoga as outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, a classical text on yoga philosophy. The eight limbs are:
Yama: ethical guidelines, such as non-violence and truthfulness
Niyama: personal disciplines, such as cleanliness and self-study
Asana: physical postures or poses
Pranayama: breathing exercises
Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses
Dharana: concentration or focus
Dhyana: meditation
Samadhi: a state of deep meditation or enlightenment
According to Patanjali, the practice of asana helps to prepare the body and mind for the other limbs of yoga. Through the practice of physical postures, practitioners develop strength, flexibility, balance, and focus, which can then be applied to other aspects of their yoga practice. Asana is also believed to help prepare the body for pranayama, or breathing exercises, which are considered a prerequisite for deeper states of meditation and ultimately, enlightenment.
While asana is an important part of the eight-limbed path of yoga, it is important to note that it is not the only aspect of yoga practice. The other limbs, including ethical guidelines, personal disciplines, breathing exercises, and meditation, are also considered essential for achieving the ultimate goal of yoga, which is to quiet the mind and achieve a state of inner peace and enlightenment.
Sutra 2.48, “tatah dvandva anabhigata” explains that by mastering asana, the practitioner becomes free from the dualities of pleasure and pain and is able to remain in a state of equanimity.
With all that said, the true intention of asana is to prepare the body and mind for deeper states of meditation and spiritual realization. While the physical benefits of yoga postures are undeniable, such as increased strength, flexibility, and balance, the ultimate aim of asana practice is to help practitioners achieve a state of inner stillness and awareness.
Through the practice of asana, one learns to be attune to the body and breath, which can lead to a state of relaxation and clarity of mind. As the mind becomes more focused and calm, one can gradually learn to turn inward and choose how to focus their mental attention.
In this sense, asana is seen as a tool for spiritual growth and self-discovery, rather than just a physical exercise. By practicing asana with mindfulness and intention, one can cultivate harmony within the body and mind, which can help one to connect with the deeper aspects of the self and the universe.
The spiritual dimension of yoga is a deeply personal and individual experience, and there is no one "right" way to practice. Ultimately, it's about being present and staying connected with the innermost aspect of your being. Practicing asanas along with other branches of the yoga disciplines can help you cultivate the awareness that bridges the cosmic gap between the self perceived as separate from and the Self that is connected to (and is the manifestation of) the greater universe.
The Practical Stuff
Here are some suggestions on how to approach asana practice in a way that can help you connect with the spiritual dimension of yoga:
Focus on the breath: Your breath is the physical manifestation of your vital energy, or prana. By focusing on the breath, you can learn to move with greater awareness and presence, which can help you increase your breathing capacity and connect more deeply with the inner experience of the pose.
Feel the sensations: Pay attention to the sensations in your body as you move through the poses, and try to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This step allows you to acknowledge where you are in your body and develop greater self-acceptance. Note that paying attention to your sensations also protects you from physical injuries as you will be less likely to overexert or overextend in a pose.
Set an intention: Think of your asana practice as a prayer in motion. Before beginning your practice, take a moment to set an intention or dedication for your practice. This can be a simple statement of gratitude, a prayer, or a personal intention for healing, growth, or transformation.
Practice with devotion: Approach your practice as a devotional offering to the divine, whatever that means to you. Your practice can be a devotion to yourself. This can help you cultivate a sense of reverence and gratitude for the opportunity to practice.
Connect with community: Practicing with others who share your spiritual values and aspirations can be a powerful way to deepen your connection with the spiritual dimension of yoga. The next time you come to a group yoga class, consider saying hello to the practitioner next to you, sharing with your yoga teacher about what you are working on in your yoga journey, and keeping an open heart to connect and receive.
I hope you find joy and ease in your yoga asana practice (despite the occasional challenge in the physical settings of our practice).
May all be well, happy and healthy!
Linh
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