Asana is a Sanskrit word that means "seat." In the yoga tradition, it refers to the physical poses or postures that are practiced as part of a yoga routine. Asanas can be used to meditate, improve strength, flexibility, and balance, as well as increase energy and promote relaxation or blissful feeling. There are many different types of asanas, each with their own individual benefits.
Putting Asanas in Practice
Asana is one of the tools used in the practice of yoga. Yoga means to yoke or create a union of mind, body and spirit to reach bliss. Think of it as driving a car and trying to go from Point A to Point B. The drive is the journey, as is the practice of yoga, the end destination is the state of enlightenment or bliss.
One way to travel on that journey is via asanas or metaphorically speaking, a mode of transportation. There are many ways to transport and using asana is one. In this journey we can use asana to connect breath, physical body, conscious mind, subconscious mind, to reach a state of enlightenment sometimes called bliss.
Bliss is a place of contentment, peace and stillness or a union with the whole and oneness with the Universe.
Setting Your Intentions
In yoga, the goal and intention of each practice is different for each person. While you may be looking for stress relief and inner peace, others may be focusing their practice on cardiovascular health or improving their range of motion.
Some asanas may help you reach your intention more efficiently than others, just like a car is a better mode of transportation than an airplane for a trip to the grocery store.
You will often hear your instructor constantly referring to your 'intention' for the class. This is what they are referring to. Be clear on what your goal or objective is for that day's session and focus on reaching that goal.
If your goal for the day is to relax, then don't worry about what shape you make with your body or what the person next to you is doing or if your range of motion is better than last week. Your success is dependent on the criteria you use to measure it. Sometimes your goal might be to just be, to just notice without reaction or judgment. While you should strive to reach more challenging goals, understand that not every class and every practice will result in significant gains. Changes happen subtle yet powerful in yoga.
Themed Classes
Some studios may offer 'themed classes.' Classes will often have a theme with different asanas that all contribute to that theme. For example, a 'heart-opening' class will likely have asanas that open up the chest and shoulder area.
A class focused on 'balance' may have more standing poses or inversions. Knowing what the theme is ahead of time may help you better prepare for what to expect.
If the studio offers it, try out a few different types of classes to see what you like best and what works best for your body. TheYogaNomads.com lists a number of spiritual and personal themes you may run into, including:
- Self-Discovery
- Third-eye Opening
- Gratitude
- Presence
- Alignment
- Benefits of Stillness
- Quieting the Mind
- Creating Space
- Grounding
- And more!
Common Types of Asanas
There are hundreds if not thousands of asanas that exist. To list them all would be impossible. And, to be honest, unless you are planning on becoming a yoga teacher, there is no need to know them all.
A good rule of thumb is to start with the basics and work your way up as you become more comfortable with the practice. Below are some common asanas that often show up in beginner and intermediate classes:
- Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
- Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
- Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)
- Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
- Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
- Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
- Child's Pose (Balasana)
- Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana)
- King Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)
- Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
- Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)
- Savasana (Corpse Pose)
There are many, many more asanas out there. But again, don't feel like you need to learn them all at once. Start with what feels comfortable for your body and mind and work your way up from there.
Asana Naming Structure
From the list above, you may notice that every single Sanskrit, the ancient language in which many historic yoga texts were written, ends in "-asana." This is no coincidence. The Sanskrit name of all yoga poses follows a relatively predictable pattern, just like many other languages.
For example, Mountain Pose, aka Tadasana is made up of "Tada" and "asana."
In Sanskrit Tada = Mountain. Asana = Pose, thus Tadasana = Mountain Pose.
Below are some other common Sanskrit words you may see or hear in your practice:
- Asana = "Seat" or "Pose"
- Namaste = "Hello" or "I bow to you"
- Shanti = "Peace"
History of Asanas
The practice of yoga is thought to date back thousands of years. It is believed that the first recorded mention of yoga was in the Rig Veda, one of the four ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, which was written between 1500-1000 BCE.
The Vedas are a set of four ancient sacred texts written in Sanskrit. The Rig Veda is the earliest amongst the vedas and is a collection of hymns and mantras. The word yoga appears three times in these hymns.
British colonization influenced yoga in India by first banning yoga practices then introducing physical culture of gymnastics, bodybuilding and military calisthenics into yoga. The practice of yoga evolved and has become what we now know as Hatha Yoga, which is where specific poses or asanas more acrobatic and aerobic came into the picture.
Hatha Yoga is a practice that includes various asanas (yoga poses), pranayamas (breathing exercises), mudras (hand gestures), bandhas (different types of energy or body locks), shatkarmas (purification practices), and more.
WARNING
Be aware the benefits and results of the cleansing procedures outlined in shatkarma are debated in scientific literature. Please consult your healthcare provider before attempting any shatkarma practices.
Asana is a Sanskrit word that means "seat." In the yoga tradition, it refers to the physical poses or postures that are practiced as part of a yoga routine. Asanas can be used to meditate, improve strength, flexibility, and balance, as well as increase energy and promote relaxation or blissful feeling. There are many different types of asanas, each with their own individual benefits.
Putting Asanas in Practice
Asana is one of the tools used in the practice of yoga. Yoga means to yoke or create a union of mind, body and spirit to reach bliss. Think of it as driving a car and trying to go from Point A to Point B. The drive is the journey, as is the practice of yoga, the end destination is the state of enlightenment or bliss.
One way to travel on that journey is via asanas or metaphorically speaking, a mode of transportation. There are many ways to transport and using asana is one. In this journey we can use asana to connect breath, physical body, conscious mind, subconscious mind, to reach a state of enlightenment sometimes called bliss.
Bliss is a place of contentment, peace and stillness or a union with the whole and oneness with the Universe.
Setting Your Intentions
In yoga, the goal and intention of each practice is different for each person. While you may be looking for stress relief and inner peace, others may be focusing their practice on cardiovascular health or improving their range of motion.
Some asanas may help you reach your intention more efficiently than others, just like a car is a better mode of transportation than an airplane for a trip to the grocery store.
You will often hear your instructor constantly referring to your 'intention' for the class. This is what they are referring to. Be clear on what your goal or objective is for that day's session and focus on reaching that goal.
If your goal for the day is to relax, then don't worry about what shape you make with your body or what the person next to you is doing or if your range of motion is better than last week. Your success is dependent on the criteria you use to measure it. Sometimes your goal might be to just be, to just notice without reaction or judgment. While you should strive to reach more challenging goals, understand that not every class and every practice will result in significant gains. Changes happen subtle yet powerful in yoga.
Themed Classes
Some studios may offer 'themed classes.' Classes will often have a theme with different asanas that all contribute to that theme. For example, a 'heart-opening' class will likely have asanas that open up the chest and shoulder area.
A class focused on 'balance' may have more standing poses or inversions. Knowing what the theme is ahead of time may help you better prepare for what to expect.
If the studio offers it, try out a few different types of classes to see what you like best and what works best for your body. TheYogaNomads.com lists a number of spiritual and personal themes you may run into, including:
- Self-Discovery
- Third-eye Opening
- Gratitude
- Presence
- Alignment
- Benefits of Stillness
- Quieting the Mind
- Creating Space
- Grounding
- And more!
Common Types of Asanas
There are hundreds if not thousands of asanas that exist. To list them all would be impossible. And, to be honest, unless you are planning on becoming a yoga teacher, there is no need to know them all.
A good rule of thumb is to start with the basics and work your way up as you become more comfortable with the practice. Below are some common asanas that often show up in beginner and intermediate classes:
- Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
- Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
- Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)
- Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)
- Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
- Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
- Child's Pose (Balasana)
- Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana)
- King Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)
- Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
- Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)
- Savasana (Corpse Pose)
There are many, many more asanas out there. But again, don't feel like you need to learn them all at once. Start with what feels comfortable for your body and mind and work your way up from there.
Asana Naming Structure
From the list above, you may notice that every single Sanskrit, the ancient language in which many historic yoga texts were written, ends in "-asana." This is no coincidence. The Sanskrit name of all yoga poses follows a relatively predictable pattern, just like many other languages.
For example, Mountain Pose, aka Tadasana is made up of "Tada" and "asana."
In Sanskrit Tada = Mountain. Asana = Pose, thus Tadasana = Mountain Pose.
Below are some other common Sanskrit words you may see or hear in your practice:
- Asana = "Seat" or "Pose"
- Namaste = "Hello" or "I bow to you"
- Shanti = "Peace"
History of Asanas
The practice of yoga is thought to date back thousands of years. It is believed that the first recorded mention of yoga was in the Rig Veda, one of the four ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, which was written between 1500-1000 BCE. -
The Vedas are a set of four ancient sacred texts written in Sanskrit. The Rig Veda is the earliest amongst the vedas and is a collection of hymns and mantras. The word yoga appears three times in these hymns.
British colonization influenced yoga in India by first banning yoga practices then introducing physical culture of gymnastics, bodybuilding and military calisthenics into yoga. The practice of yoga evolved and has become what we now know as Hatha Yoga, which is where specific poses or asanas more acrobatic and aerobic came into the picture.
Hatha Yoga is a practice that includes various asanas (yoga poses), pranayamas (breathing exercises), mudras (hand gestures), bandhas (different types of energy or body locks), shatkarmas (purification practices), and more.
