Importance of Asanas

Asanas are postures in which we maintain the body as part of Yoga practice.

Patanjali Yoga sutras define asanas through these shlokas:

sthirasukham aasanam

स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥

Asana is that which bring happiness and keeps body stable

प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम् ॥४७॥

prayatnashaithilyanantasamapattibhyam

Reducing the efforts and focusing (meditate) on the infinite

ततो द्वङ्द्वानभिघातः ॥४८॥

tato dvandvanabhighatah

Then the dvandva (pair of opposites - heat and cold, happiness and sorrow, attachment and aversion) do not obstruct us.

The discipline we bring to our body starts by external efforts of maintaining body in the postures, and then calming down the breathing. Further to this, the focus is on the mind to keep the mind unperturbed and focused. Once we reach this state the focus should then be on reducing efforts to remain in this state and increase efforts to meditate on the infinite.

During every asana, the important aspects to consider are -

Body Level:

1. Right positioning of the bones for body balance

2. Stretch in muscles

Breathing:

1. Synchronized breathing - slow and rhythmic

Nerves:

Soothening of the nerves

There should be no tingling pain felt in the nerves

Mind:

Mind needs to be calm and relaxed