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Thus, all Yogasanas should be performed slowly by observing Stability (Sthira), Ease (Sukha), Effortlessness (Prayatna Shaitilya) and Boundless Happiness (Ananta Samapatti).<ref name=":1" /> For, an asana here is a constituent of Samadhi. And according to the oral tradition, an asana maintained for 3hrs 36mins in absolute stillness, without the minutest tremble anywhere and with a high level of awareness guides one effortlessly into Samadhi.<ref name=":2" />
Thus, all Yogasanas should be performed slowly by observing Stability (Sthira), Ease (Sukha), Effortlessness (Prayatna Shaitilya) and Boundless Happiness (Ananta Samapatti).<ref name=":1" /> For, an asana here is a constituent of Samadhi. And according to the oral tradition, an asana maintained for 3hrs 36mins in absolute stillness, without the minutest tremble anywhere and with a high level of awareness guides one effortlessly into Samadhi.<ref name=":2" />
== आसनाभ्यासः ॥ Practice of Asanas ==
An understanding of the nature of Asanas, highlights six steps in the process of practising the Asanas. They are
# Centering
# Moving into the Posture
# Stabilizing the Posture
# Deepening the Posture
# Moving out of the Posture
# Recentering
The process of moving into the posture begins from stillness, moves through inner stillness and returns to stillness while remaining constantly aware of the flow of the breath. For, moving into and adjusting an asana position while maintaining a strong focus on the breath creates a much deeper practice than simply focusing on body technique.
Thus, the manner and attitude with which asanas are to be performed and the choice of Asanas for practice are two important factors to be considered in the practice of Asanas.<ref name=":5" />
== आसनानां प्रयोजनानि ॥ Benefits of Asanas ==
== आसनानां प्रयोजनानि ॥ Benefits of Asanas ==
* Promote flexibility of the spine leading to ease in forward bending, backward bending and side bending
* Promote flexibility of the spine leading to ease in forward bending, backward bending and side bending
* Facilitate development of personality<ref name=":1" />
* Facilitate development of personality<ref name=":1" />
The Asanas help keep the body supple and strong while energizing the mind and boosting self confidence. Practising asanas on a regular basis has shown to enhance brain wave coherence and improve functions such as memory and intelligence. It lowers the stress related hormones in the body and increases both mental and physical performance. They also contribute to emotional stability by increasing the amount of a neurotransmitter 'serotonin' in the body, which is known to induce good mood and a sense of happiness. Yogasanas can help to integrate every aspect of the nervous system, including emotional experience, sensation, cognition, motivation and samskara.<ref name=":5" />
The Asanas help keep the body supple and strong while energizing the mind and boosting self confidence. Practising asanas on a regular basis has shown to enhance brain wave coherence and improve functions such as memory and intelligence. It lowers the stress related hormones in the body and increases both mental and physical performance. They also contribute to emotional stability by increasing the amount of a neurotransmitter 'serotonin' in the body, which is known to induce good mood and a sense of happiness. Yogasanas can help to integrate every aspect of the nervous system, including emotional experience, sensation, cognition, motivation and samskara. They have tremendous therapeutic effects on body, prana and mind ie the physical structure, vital energy and creative intelligence. And helps balance Vata, Pitta and Kapha that define the nature of the body.<ref name=":5" />
More importantly, Yogasanas help those pursuing a spiritual life to prepare the body and mind for union with brahman. Infact, the health benefits of Yogasanas are ancillary to the ultimate goal of becoming one with brahman.<ref>Dharm P.S. Bhawuk (2011), [https://lakshminarayanlenasia.com/articles/Spirituality-and-Indian-Psychology-Lessons-From-the-Bhagavad-Gita.pdf Spirituality and Indian Psychology: Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita], New York: Springer</ref>
More importantly, Yogasanas help those pursuing a spiritual life to prepare the body and mind for union with brahman. Infact, the health benefits of Yogasanas are ancillary to the ultimate goal of becoming one with brahman.<ref>Dharm P.S. Bhawuk (2011), [https://lakshminarayanlenasia.com/articles/Spirituality-and-Indian-Psychology-Lessons-From-the-Bhagavad-Gita.pdf Spirituality and Indian Psychology: Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita], New York: Springer</ref>
The upward moving heat of the sun in the navel works to reduce the activity of the moon in the soft palate. Putting the body regularly into the shoulder stand or plow pose protects the lunar principle from the depleting heat of the solar principle and creates coolness. Such postures help reverse the positions of the sun and the moon in the body, bringing balance. This is naturally beneficial for pittas. Spinal twists, like Matyendrasana, are also very good for protecting the lunar principle without redUcing agni or the power of digestion.
The upward moving heat of the sun in the navel works to reduce the activity of the moon in the soft palate. Putting the body regularly into the shoulder stand or plow pose protects the lunar principle from the depleting heat of the solar principle and creates coolness. Such postures help reverse the positions of the sun and the moon in the body, bringing balance. This is naturally beneficial for pittas. Spinal twists, like Matyendrasana, are also very good for protecting the lunar principle without redUcing agni or the power of digestion.
Pitta people are benefited by postures that aim at releaSing tension from the mid-abdomen, the small intestine and liver, where pitta accumulates. Such are the bow pose, cobra pose, boat pose, and fish pose. These postures allow excess pitta to be eliminated from the body, particularly to flow downward through the digestive tract. Headstands create pitta and should not be done unless one knows how to balance out the heat that they create.
Pitta people are benefited by postures that aim at releasing tension from the mid-abdomen, the small intestine and liver, where pitta accumulates. Such are the bow pose, cobra pose, boat pose, and fish pose. These postures allow excess pitta to be eliminated from the body, particularly to flow downward through the digestive tract. Headstands create pitta and should not be done unless one knows how to balance out the heat that they create.
Forward bends are generally good for pitta because they bring more energy to the mid-abdomen and have a cooling and grounding effect if done in a gentle manner. Backbends tend to be heating and so should be done only with moderation and followed by cooling postures. Seated twists help clear the liver, detoxifying pitta. Pittas should come away from asana practice feeling cool, content and calm, with tension released from the mid-abdomen. Their minds should be clear and relaxed, their emotions at rest, with no feelings of competitiveness or irritation. Their awareness should be in a meditative mood, slightly diffused and not overly sharp.<ref name=":3" />
Forward bends are generally good for pitta because they bring more energy to the mid-abdomen and have a cooling and grounding effect if done in a gentle manner. Backbends tend to be heating and so should be done only with moderation and followed by cooling postures. Seated twists help clear the liver, detoxifying pitta. Pittas should come away from asana practice feeling cool, content and calm, with tension released from the mid-abdomen. Their minds should be clear and relaxed, their emotions at rest, with no feelings of competitiveness or irritation. Their awareness should be in a meditative mood, slightly diffused and not overly sharp.<ref name=":3" />