Asanas (आसनानि)

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Asanas (Samskrit: आसनानि) refer to Yogic Postures that are one of the eight important aspects in Ashtanga Yoga or the eightfold path in the practice of Yoga given by Maharshi Patanjali. Asanas are also integral to Hatha Yoga, a system of practices inspired by Yoga Darshana and developed as part of the Yoga tradition with a view to rejuvenate the body and prolong life. The article elaborates on the meaning, types, objectives and benefits of Asanas.

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

Based on the observation of nature, the ancient Rishis of Bharata devised a number of Asanas or postures. So, it is not by mere chance that in Hatha Yoga terminology, all the postures are named after different animals. And each posture or pose has a purpose of its own.

Asana literally means 'seat'. In Yoga, an asana refers to a body posture. Originally a sitting pose for meditation, later reclining, standing, inverted, twisting and balancing poses were added to the meditative posture.

Maharshi Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras says,

स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥ प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम् ॥४७॥ ततो द्वन्द्वानभिघातः ॥४८॥ sthirasukhamāsanam ॥46॥ prayatnaśaithilyānantasamāpattibhyām ॥47॥ tato dvandvānabhighātaḥ ॥48॥

Meaning: A Posture is that which is stable and easeful which is effected through relaxation of effort and a coalescence with the endless or endlessness. And thereby, one is no longer affected by pairs of opposites like heat and cold.

It refers to the position of the body in which a person experiences ease ie. non-production of discomfort and pain. And stability here is marked by absence of movement. Furthermore, the essential qualities of asanas are described as follows:

1. Sthira - stable
2. Nishchala - motionless
3. Nishkampa - devoid of tremble
4. Anudvejaniya - not subject to agitations
5. Sukha - easeful
6. Sukhavaha - bringing about comfort

Invariably, these also address the problems a beginning practitioner of meditation encounters in the form of

1. involuntary movements of the body like swaying and general shifting about (countered by Nishchalatva of asanas).
2. trembling of limbs (countered by Nishkampana of asanas).
3. excitation and agitation caused by internal reasons such as nervous twitch and jerking or by external stimuli causing sudden movements or the urge to abandon the meditation seat (countered by anudvejanatva of asanas).

Thus, all Yogasanas should be performed slowly by observing Stability (Sthira), Ease (Sukha), Effortlessness (Prayatna Shaitilya) and Boundless Happiness (Ananta Samapatti). 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.

आसनानां प्रयोजनानि ॥ Benefits of Asanas

The Asanas are a gift to humanity by ancient seers. It is said that regular practice of Asanas endows one with a long and healthy life. However, performance of these asanas requires one to focus on the pose and learn to align the body correctly in relation to how it functions; guiding each limb to observe the degree appropriate for the pose. Alignment, balance and strength are key factors of all asanas.

In this context, one basic theory of Asana needs to be understood. The primary human personality consists of the body from waist to the head. The arms and legs are known as Upangas. In the practice of meditation, the position of the primary part that is most important. That is what is meant to be maintained in a straight and balanced position.

The common benefits of asanas are that they

• Help maintain flexibility and strength of muscular-skeletal system
• Increase concentration and focus by calming the mind
• Improve function of vital organ systems
• Promote flexibility of the spine leading to ease in forward bending, backward bending and side bending
• Facilitate development of personality

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.

आसनानां वर्गीकरणम् ॥ Classification of Asanas

It has already been mentioned that all asanas have a purpose and some of them even help culture one's personality. There are primarily two methods prevalent in the classification of Asanas. They are,

Classification of Asanas

Method 1 - Composition of the Posture	Method 2 - Purpose of the Asana
Standing Asanas - Where body is supported by soles of the feet. Sitting Asanas - Where body is supported by the rear. Prone Asanas - Where one lies face down and body is supported on the stomach. Supine Asanas - Where one lies down with face upwards and body is supported by the back.	Relaxation - For eg. Shavasana, Makarasana (the crocodile posture), Shithila Tadasana and Shithila Dandasana. Meditative - For eg. Padmasana, Siddhasana, Vajrasana and Sukhasana. Cultural - All the remaining postures. They are meant essentially, to develop the personality.

Cultural Asanas and Personality Development

It is said that every cultural Asana has been designed to build personality. For eg.

• To develop confidence, overcome shyness and become dynamic, it is advised to practice cultural asanas that involve back bending postures like the Chakrasana, Bhujangasana (cobra posture), Ardha Chakrasana (standing bending backward), Suptavajrasana, etc. These practices also strengthen the chest and shoulders.
• For people who are egoistic, humility can be promoted by practicing front bending postures like Paschimottanasana, Shashankasana, Padahastasana, etc. Because, such people are observed to always hold their shoulders back and heads up. And these prescribed asanas help them overcome egotistic characters and develop a pleasing and warmer personality.