Asana~ the 3rd limb of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga
What is asana and why do we practice it?
Asana is perhaps the most known limb of the eightfold path of yoga, and it often gets interpreted as Yoga itself. When we say we are going to yoga class, what we really mean is Asana class. The aim of yoga is to find a union between the individual and the whole. Between the mind the body the breath.
Patanjali encourages us to find a place in our practice that is filled with ease while being steady and stable.
The root of the word Asana means comfortable seat, which says a lot about its original intentions. Most of the earlier asanas described were just that, seated postures preparing us for meditation. No matter what the pose, Asana as a term describes the third limb of Yoga, the practice of physical postures.
We practice yoga…
to be more flexible, not only in our bodies also in our minds. We practice asana to slow down our bodies our minds, to connect with ourselves, our breath. Decrease stress, be able to respond to stressful situations in a calmer, clearer way. Less reactionary.
Through asana practice we learn discipline, the ability to concentrate. All preparation for meditation.
For most of us in the Western world we think of yoga as fitness exercise, physical reasons, weight loss. Then we realize there is so much more to it!! There are so many branches, layers, stories, traditions. You can dive deep into learning about the body, facia, how it is all connected! There are many different ways you can study yoga; yoga therapy, anatomically, spiritually. Learning different ways to “yoke” bring together interest to your body, mind and breath.
The self study, physical or otherwise, the union, the yoking.
In the spirit of the word yoga,
Namaste.
Being in the present moment
When we practice asana we are finding the balance in our minds, body and breath. Tuning into the body, being in the present moment with our body, tunes us into our minds. Using our breath for alignment, as a reminder of our bodymind being connected.
When the body is moved and relaxed, the mind is clear, the thoughts are distant and you just feel whole, calm and at peace.
Your yoga
Remember how you choose to practice yoga, your reasons, your practice is your yoga! Stepping on the mat and showing up is 90% of it!
Have you heard of the 8 Limbs of Yoga before? Which one resonates with you the most? I always love to hear from you. Drop your comments below.
Looking to take a deeper dive? Join the Maxwellness Monthly Membership as we dive deeper each month into each limb tying it all together with asana, meditation, breathwork, moon cycles, journaling as a community sharing ideas and philosophy. Learn more about Maxwellness Monthly Membership here.
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