Asana is a posture that is assumed for a while, such as holding a headstand for 10 minutes. The asanas are practiced in several branches of yoga, including hatha and tantra yoga. But the asanas are not part of other branches of yoga, such as jnana and karma yoga. However, almost all yogis and yoginis practice asanas, even if only the meditative asanas.
According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, asanas are the third step that a serious yogi must take to reach the eighth and final step, samadhi, the cosmic fusion, when the practitioner connects with the universe. The eight steps are explained in The Eight Steps of Patanjali.
In the Yoga Sütra, II.46, Patanjali defining an asana affirms:
“A posture should be steady and comfortable.”
The goal is to stay in the asana feeling it and enjoying it, without it being torture, and of course, without getting hurt. By practicing asanas, the practitioner prepares himself or herself to remain in meditative positions for a longer and longer time without feeling discomfort and aches that take away from the concentration. Asanas develop will power. Effort and discipline are required to hold the asana for a long time, until the day comes when it is no longer an effort.
Subsequently, the practitioner is absorbed into the asana without any thought that disturbs him or her. It’s not a matter of leaving your mind blank. It’s relaxing in the pose and experiencing fully the asana. When thoughts come, you accept them as visualizations, just as you see the clouds in the sky, floating in the air, moving until they disappear. Just as clouds are external to yourself and you watch them pass, so are thoughts that come your way, observing them as being external to yourself without telling yourself to concentrate, concentrate
Practicing asanas strengthens, balances, and sharpens the mind and body, giving flexibility, removing stress, helping you sleep, preventing disease, and giving you happiness.
Asanas are an integral part of my practice. The best sensations come to me following a yoga practice.
This section will be adding a biweekly Asana equal to the Paschimottanasana. Let me know if you are interested in one in particular.