Asana literally means sitting or posture, is commonly defined as any of the yogic postures. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines “Asana” as “what is steady and pleasant” Yoga in Modhukunja Panchakul Ashram Purulia.
Asana literally means “sitting” or “posture”, is commonly defined as any of the yogic postures. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines “Asana” as “what is steady and pleasant” (Verse 46, chapter II). It is said that originally the only posture in Yoga was a comfortable seat taken for long periods of mediation, various postures were developed to help sitting with ease for so long and to assist the mind opening to a meditative state. The main purpose of asana is to facilitate the flow of prana (vital energy) throughout the body balancing the physical and metaphysical body. The physical aspect of Yoga, the asanas, has been much popularized in recent years due to the vast amount of benefits:
- improve flexibility
- improve strength
- improve balance
- reduce stress and anxiety
- reduce symptoms of lower back pain
- is beneficial for asthma and chronic respiratory disease
- increase energy and decrease fatigue
- shorten labor and improve birth outcomes
- improve physical health and quality of life in elders
- reduce sleep disturbances
- reduce hypertension
- improve blood circulation
- reduce weight
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