Have you ever wondered about the deeper purpose of Asana? It’s a great exercise for sure, and that’s been the primary focus of Yoga in the western culture. Recently I read a list of the 100 most popular Yoga teachers and most of them were teaching very physically demanding styles, but it’s important to know that there’s more to Yoga than just getting fit and flexible.
When I stumbled onto Yoga in 2001 it was a nice “stretching” addition to my gym workout. Quickly it became more of a challenge as I discovered dynamic styles like Ashtanga, Power Yoga and Vinyasa. Being fit and naturally flexible I fell in love with the “workout” and soon I found myself in Mysore, India studying the process in depth. About a year prior I found a Yoga teacher whom I regularly practiced with brought my attention to Yoga being a way of developing Self-awareness. So, when I landed in the Ashtanga studio in Mysore I was in for a surprise – more workout and more ego!? I lasted 3 weeks and left wanting to experience more than just an exercise.
Learning Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (THE book of Yoga) was fascinating and helped me to understand the true purpose of Yoga and Yogic movement (asana). It describes what Yoga is all about and outlines the steps of its Method of Self Realization (read more about Yoga’s complete purpose here) The purpose of the postures is defined in three verses. Unfortunately with 12 years in the field I haven’t come across many teachers that speak of these verses or the original purpose of asana.
Now, as a holistic teacher, I always share these principles in my classes and retreats, and I write this today to share it with you!
Let’s look at the three verses on asana in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
STHIRA-SUKHAM ASANAM 2.46
- The goal of practice of asana is steady, comfortable pose
- Physical position that gives pleasure and stability
As a beginner I was strong and determined and would power through the difficult poses grinding my teeth and holding my breath. Although I would have told you that I was steady and comfortable it was not helping to bring the inner peace, calm and comfort that Patanjali refers to. Pleasure here is a key word as it brings relaxation. The movements are meant to open the energetic channels of the body ultimately relaxing the physical state to prepare the body for meditation. These movements help to bring focus to the mind and encourage a deeper awareness of our whole being.
PRAYATNA SAITHILY ANANTA SAMAPATTI BHYAM 2.47
- Patanjali describes asana as freedom from doing. When complete comfort and no tension is found within the body, the mind becomes calm allowing for deep meditation.
- “Prayatna” – Breath, the activity of life. By focusing the mind on smooth effortless breath asana is perfected.
How many times on the mat have you pushed past your limits totally ignoring your inner wisdom? The “freedom from doing” comes from relaxed concentration and remaining completely present. It is from this place that we can recognize and accept our boundaries and our tendencies to either force or avoid certain aspects. Recognizing tendencies on the mat encourages us to recognize what we also avoid or force in every day life.
“Prayatna”, the breath, is the life force. We have all found ourselves holding our breath in the middle of asana. Initially it may be difficult to connect a fluent breath in every posture because relaxation is not present. Instead, maintain postures in a “comfortable” manner and allow the positions to “give pleasure” and your breath will be easy to maintain and will deepen your awareness of the physical body and also any fluctuations of the mind or energy flow. Executing this practice well results in the mind naturally moving into a meditative state.
TATO DVANDVA AN ABHIGHATAH 2.48
- When asana is mastered, there is a cessation of the disturbances caused by the pairs of opposites (those can be physical, mental or spiritual)
- This mastery frees the mind from the illusion of duality
We’ve learned to seek relaxation of the body and mind and consciously connect our breath to our movement to help develop a deeper sense of awareness, but what does this mean? For sure I started craving raw veggies to snack on instead of processed foods, pilled my breakfast plate with fruits and nuts instead of cereals. But there was still more!
This verse refers to developing a deeper awareness to recognize harmony in opposites. It is ultimately referring to total awareness and Self realization While we are caught in a storm of imbalance between our physical, mental and emotional state we are caught in dualistic experiences. Through Yoga we learn to recognize our judgements and accept all that is. This ultimately guides us towards constant contentment.
How does this happen through asana? Have you ever recognized how you shy away from certain poses while others are your favorites? Have you observed the mind chatter while holding an uncomfortable pose and witnessed how to quiet it through acute focus on the breath? Suddenly you become more relaxed and acceptant of the pose! How many poses have you been in while you allowed your mind to take over and let chatter like this arise: “this is not for me, this is not yoga because it’s too hard, I’m not flexible enough, not strong enough, …” Once you surrender and center your focus on your breath this chatter disappears and with regular practice you are able to take this acceptance off the mat and into your every day life.
I hope you enjoyed the article and are excited about your next yoga class to step onto your yoga mat with an expanded knowledge and intention! Join us for our retreat programs where we dive deep into the practice of Yoga & Self Realization and the celebration of life! Learn more here!
Photo Credit Christpoher Pouget
Completely agree – the asanas (physical postures) aren’t the yoga – the postures enable the student to connect with themselves (breath) and to create a yogic mindset (awareness/consciousness/ connection). The yoga begins when the student takes this consciousness off the mat and becoming an agent for change in the greater community
Thank you for your feedback Michael! This is exactly why we decided to create Integration Into Oneness programs – to inspire people and bring more awareness about the true purpose of Yoga – Self-Realization. I’m glad you have enjoyed the article!
Great post I teach a beginners course based on the 8 limbs and in each class we discuss one of the limbs before incorporating it into our practice, when I did my teacher training it was important to me to get the philosophy of yoga as I knew the asana part was the easier one to master.
I have been lucky enough to have found teachers who have always linked the asana practice to the deeper purpose of yoga and I think that anyone who has practiced long enough eventually finds their way through the physical workout and into the spiritual work, and there are more and more teachers who are bringing ‘real’ yoga to the mat these days.