Asana, The Third Limb of Yoga

If you’ve been to a yoga class in the United States, you probably have a pretty good idea of what asana is, but for clarity sake…asana is the physical practice of the yoga postures. The poses emulate nature and have a strong physical and naturally occurring psychological effect on us, expanding our consciousness.

There are countless reasons for and benefits to practicing yoga asana. Performing the postures keeps the body strong and supple, stimulates organs, glands and nerves, increases stamina, and disciplines the mind just to name a few benefits. There is not one cell of the body that does not require oxygen to perform its functions and the deep breathing we purposely use while practicing delivers that needed oxygen and increases calmness.

Engaging in a regular asana practice is also a physical ‘thank you’ to everything and everybody that contribute to the making of you, expressing appreciation for the gift of your life. We take good care of this gift so that we may use it for the service of others.

One very good reason to engage in a regular asana practice is maintaining physical health. Observe a 10 year old sometime or remember yourself at that age. 10 year olds run to get from place to place, maybe even doing a flip along the way. Then they hop on a skateboard or bike and cruise on down the street engaging more muscles, tendons and joints, than you could name.

Then watch a 20 year old. They may go out for a run or to the gym several times a week and stretch a little, but there’s a marked difference in the way a 20 year old and a 10 year old use their bodies.

Flash forward to 30 year olds, 40 year olds, 50 etc. and have a good look. By now they’re sitting in seats with their backs supported most of the day and probably moving their bodies much less than they did when they were younger. As you progress along in these 10-year increments of life you notice how much less active we become and how much less range of motion we use in the course of a normal day. Certainly I’m not suggesting that anybody run out, grab a skateboard and hit the streets or that we should aspire to be like a 10 year old in any way. What I am suggesting is to reclaim as much of that range of motion and activity level for the sake of good health, and an excellent way to do that is through an asana practice.

Many of us view the yoga mat as a great practice ground. On the mat we may consider the first two limbs of yoga and try them out. We can try out ahimsa (compassion) by not harming ourselves doing the postures in an excessive way. We may practice aparigraha (non-grasping) by not coveting the loose hamstrings of the person next to us and slowly, allowing our own hamstings to lengthen at their own rate. We can practice tapas (burning enthusiasm) by giving our postures all the energy and focus we have, realizing and accepting that that level will be different every time we practice. Santosha (contentment) shows up while we’re on the mat when we lovingly accept our circumstances and allow change to happen at its own rate. What better place and situation for swadhyaya (self-study) than while practicing yoga as we are so exposed outwardly and inwardly. I personally practice ishvarapranidhana (surrender to God) by performing my asanas as a moving meditation and prayer, thanking God as often as possible. We may also practice non-reactiveness and acceptance when we are in challenging in postures, making equanimity our habitual response to life’s other challenges.

Lastly, we know that asana is a great way to get our ya yas out (expend energy) and build the strength required to sit still for meditation. It is quite difficult to still the body and then the mind when the body wants to move. When we practice asana prior to meditation we are able to calm ourselves and focus without physical distraction.

Namaste.