Over the past few weeks we have been looking at the various Yama and Niyama which form part of Patanjali’s Eight Limbs. This week we look at the third limb, Asana.
What is Asana?
Asana means the seat that we take to enable stillness for meditation. How we interpret this “seat” is up to us and it does not have to be a yoga pose. However, the pose should have qualities of steadiness and ease as stated in Patanjali’s Sutra 2.46“sthira sukham asanam”.The image shown here has a person sitting with what looks like steadiness and ease and yet they are not in a yoga pose Jthis is still asana.
To enable this steadiness and ease we need to be considering the yama and niyama. When we practise this way, we can breathe well and when we breathe well, we feel great. When we have all these qualities, we can truly reap the benefits of our yoga practise.
How should we practise?
Whilst developing our asana we are encouraging strength and flexibility in our bodies – always working in line with our individual ability. We are all different and it is wonderful that we focus on what we can do and treat our bodies with love and care. In yoga, we do not push ourselves to break nor do we make it so easy that there is no effort – it is a balance.
Mindfully practising our asana with steadiness and ease, whilst developing our strength and flexibility, we are able to face any challenges life brings our way. Both on and off the mat, both physically and mentally, we are equipped to go with the flow of life and still stay steady.
What experiences do you have from your asana practise? I’d love to know your thoughts.
