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The agni of the food sheath is the digestive fire Gatharagni) which dwells in the abdomen, particularly in the small intestine where the main digestion of food occurs. The digestive fire breaks down the food we eat into the essence of the five elements. From its action arises the digested food mass that provides nourishment to all the tissues through the plasma. Through it we digest food, which gets transformed into the tissues of the body.

The agni of the food sheath is the digestive fire Gatharagni) which dwells in the abdomen, particularly in the small intestine where the main digestion of food occurs. The digestive fire breaks down the food we eat into the essence of the five elements. From its action arises the digested food mass that provides nourishment to all the tissues through the plasma. Through it we digest food, which gets transformed into the tissues of the body.

The practice of asana or yogic postures serves to balance, stabilize and further enkindle the jatharagni or physical agni, which helps purify the physical body. When the physical body is still, relaxed and balanced, the digestive fire is also balanced and purified. Correct performance of asana results in good digestion and elimination, a regular and healthy but not excessive appetite. Various postures aid in the increase of the digestive fire, particularly sitting poses and uddiyana bandha.<ref>David Frawley (1999), [https://archive.org/details/yogaayurvedaselfhealingandselfrealizationdavidfrawley_757_/mode/2up Yoga & Ayurveda], Wisconsin: Lotus Press.</ref>

The practice of asana or yogic postures serves to balance, stabilize and further enkindle the jatharagni or physical agni, which helps purify the physical body. When the physical body is still, relaxed and balanced, the digestive fire is also balanced and purified. Correct performance of asana results in good digestion and elimination, a regular and healthy but not excessive appetite. Various postures aid in the increase of the digestive fire, particularly sitting poses and uddiyana bandha.<ref name=":3">David Frawley (1999), [https://archive.org/details/yogaayurvedaselfhealingandselfrealizationdavidfrawley_757_/mode/2up Yoga & Ayurveda], Wisconsin: Lotus Press.</ref>

== आसनानां वर्गीकरणम् ॥ Classification of Asanas ==

== आसनानां वर्गीकरणम् ॥ Classification of Asanas ==

=== Paschimottanasana ===

=== Paschimottanasana ===

Procedure: Sit on the ground. Stretch the two legs stiff like a stick. Catch the toe with the hands. Place the forehead on the two knees slowly. You can bend still further and keep the head between the thighs also. This reduces fat, and stimulates the digestive fire. This is useful in all diseases of the stomach, and for curing the enlargement of spleen.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2006), [https://archive.org/details/practice-of-yoga/mode/2up?view=theater Practice of Yoga], Shivanandanagar: The Divine Life Society.</ref>

Procedure: Sit on the ground. Stretch the two legs stiff like a stick. Catch the toe with the hands. Place the forehead on the two knees slowly. You can bend still further and keep the head between the thighs also. This reduces fat, and stimulates the digestive fire. This is useful in all diseases of the stomach, and for curing the enlargement of spleen.<ref>Swami Sivananda (2006), [https://archive.org/details/practice-of-yoga/mode/2up?view=theater Practice of Yoga], Shivanandanagar: The Divine Life Society.</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Yoga]]

[[Category:Yoga]]