Asana(Sadhana pada 2.46)

सूत्र: स्थिरसुखमासनम्

पदच्छेद: स्थिर-सुखम् आसनम् 

Simple meaning:

The third part or limb of the Ashtanga Yoga is Asana.

Closest english translation of Asana is Comfortable posture.

Asana is a sanskrit word for posture which means “to sit”.

According to Bhagwat Geeta, Aasna is to keep your body,neck and head straight or in one position and to keep your concentration towards neck.

Yogasana is a posture in harmony with ones inner consciousness. It helps in balancing and harmonizing the basic structure of human body.

Various postures of Yogasana, which include standing and sitting asanas, help us to keep body healthy and mind tension free.

There are three types of Asanas:

1. Dhayan-Atmak Asana
2. Sharir-Atmak Asana
3. Shanti-Dayak Asana

Dhayan-Atmak Asana

• Sidh Asana
• Padma Asana
• Vajra Asana
• Sukh Asana
• Swastik Asana

Sharir-Atmak Asana

These Asanas helps in increasing body’s capabilities.  It helps in various body treatments.

• Standing Asana which helps in increasing heights.
• Backward bend helps in flexible body.
• Forward bend helps in mind stability
• Folding body helps in making sine strong.
• Balancing Asana helps in stability.

Shanti-Dayak Asana

Asanas which is done after completing all types of exercises asanas and which gives peace and calm are called Shanti-Dhayak Asana.

• Shav Asana: lying over back
• Isthil-Dand Asana: Standing relaxation
• Shashank Asana: While sitting
• Makar Asana:Lying over stomach

>>Pad Asana and Sidh Asana are the best Asanas.

If a person becomes expert in doing asanas then his/her mind and body becomes stable.

Rules for Asanas:

• Daily Practise
• Time duration set
• Doing it at regular intervals.

>>Asanas also prepare us for next step which is controlling our Breathing i.e. Pranayama.