Karuna Yoga Vidya Peetham Bangalore

Asana forms the basis of all other yogic practices. The word ‘Asana’ is derived from ‘Asi’- to sit; these are certain special postures that help to stabilize the body and mind. Asana facilitates ease of movement and brings emotional stability to the practitioner.

“Sthirasukham asanam”

Asana is a posture that should be stable and comfortable.

Principles of Asana:

  1. Asana should help in other yogic practices like Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana etc. to ultimately lead to Samadhi. The student should have developed correct and healthy habits of body and mind.
  2. Asana should not be viewed as mechanical skill, and it should be practiced with clear understanding of its role and importance in yogic practices. It should provide benefits such as immunity from conflicts, mastery over Pranayama, meditation, and other yogic practices.
  3. Asana should contribute towards the meditational condition on the body and physical warming up exercises have no importance in the practice of asana. Instead, prayer and mental relaxation should initiate the yoga session.
  4. Relaxation of body and mind or meditative state of mind is crucial in execution of Asana.
  5. It is not necessary to interfere with the free, relaxed flow of respiration.
  6. It is more important to maintain relaxed state at various stages of asana than mechanical repetitiveness.
  7. There shouldn’t be jerks, jumps, falls, and hurried movements in the approaching and returning phases in the performance of each asana. Neuromuscular coordination, appropriate locks and hold, ease of breathing, body balance, effortlessness, increased body-mind relaxation, tension free attitude and meditation etc. are vital than mechanical perfection.
  8. Asanas are postural patterns, and the practitioner should hold the pattern in mind and effortlessly advance towards the desired postural pattern.
  9. Asana should be performed with relaxed, normal pattern of breathing, breathing will become slow, smooth, and rhythmic on its own and the practitioner will be calmed to perform the asana thoroughly and comfortably.
    1. Breathing: Always breathe through the nose unless specified otherwise and try to co-ordinate the breath with the asana practice.
    2. Awareness: This is essential to all yoga The purpose of asana practice is to influence, integrate and harmonize all levels of being: physical, mental, emotional, pranic, psychic and spiritual. It has profound effects at every level when combined with awareness.
    3. Relaxation: Savasana can be performed at any point during asana practice, especially when feeling physically or mentally It should also be practiced on the completion of asana practice.
    4. Time of practice: Asana may be practiced at any time during the day except after The best time to practice is during Brahmamuhurta, which is two hours before sunrise as the atmosphere is pure and quiet, the stomach is empty and the mind is clear. In the evenings, two hours before sunset is also a good time.
    5. Diet: There is no specific diet to be However, it is better to eat natural food and in moderation. Vegetarian diet is not essential but is recommended at higher levels of practice. It is advised to fill half the stomach with food, one quarter with water and leave the remaining empty.

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