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Asanas

A Wisdom Archive on Asanas

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Asanas

A selection of articles related to Asanas:

Asthma is a disease that more and more people seem to be suffering from today. Many things trigger asthma - the main amongst those being: stress and anxiety, allergies and genetics. This yoga program seeks to tackle the root causes and work towards strengthening the immune system

Asana is Sanskrit for "seat". It is no accident that this word be chosen to describe the "posture" of Yoga. The idea of the "seat" in this context refers not only to the physical position of the body, but to the position of the spirit in relation to Divinity


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asanas, Asana, Asana - Conditions & general directions for Good Asana, Asana - Yoga Asana Poses or Postures, Yoga, Yoga Archives, Yoga Philosophy, Meditation, Mudras, Patanjali, Sivananda, , Anahata Yoga, Ananda Marga, Anusara,
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Archives on Asanas
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Introduction and links to related topics

Below are some short introductions. Click on the blue hyperlinked word to get more related articles.


Asana - Originally an immobile body posture; a seat or sitting posture that was used for meditation and to help facilitate perfect concentration. Hatha yoga developed this practice into a series of asanas or postures.

Raja Yoga - (Sanskrit) "King of yogas."

Also known as ashtanga yoga, "eight-limbed yoga." The classical yoga system of eight progressive stages to Illumination as described in various yoga Upanishads, the Tirumantiram and, most notably, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

The eight limbs are as follows.
yama: "Restraint." Virtuous and moral living, which brings purity of mind, freedom from anger, jealousy and subconscious confusion which would inhibit the process of meditation.
niyama: (Sanskrit) "Observance." Religious practices which cultivate the qualities of the higher nature, such as devotion, cognition, humility and contentment- giving the refinement of nature and control of mind needed to concentrate and ultimately plunge into samadhi.
asana: "Seat or posture." A sound body is needed for success in meditation. This is attained through hatha yoga, the postures of which balance the energies of mind and body, promoting health and serenity, e.g., padmasana, the "lotus pose," for meditation. The Yoga Sutras indicate that asanas make the yogi impervious to the impact of the pairs of opposites (dvandva), heat-cold, etc.
pranayama: "Mastering life force." Breath control, which quiets the chitta and balances ida and pingala. Science of controlling prana through breathing techniques in which lengths of inhalation, retention and exhalation are modulated. Pranayama prepares the mind for deep meditation.
pratyahara: "Withdrawal." The practice of withdrawing consciousness from the physical senses first, such as not hearing noise while meditating, then progressively receding from emotions, intellect and eventually from individual consciousness itself in order to merge into the Universal.
dharana: "Concentration." Focusing the mind on a single object or line of thought, not allowing it to wander. The guiding of the flow of consciousness. When concentration is sustained long and deeply enough, meditation naturally follows.
dhyana: "Meditation." A quiet, alert, powerfully concentrated state wherein new knowledge and insight pour into the field of consciousness. This state is possible once the subconscious mind has been cleared or quieted.
samadhi: "Enstasy," which means "standing within one''s self." "Sameness, contemplation." The state of true yoga, in which the meditator and the object of meditation are one.

See: yoga, asana, samadhi, raja yoga.

Tso-chan - Tso-ch''an (Chinese) Sitting dhyana or contemplation, practicing dhyana; equivalent to the Taoist tso-wang (sitting with blank mind), defined as "Slackening limbs and frame, blotting out the senses of hearing and sight, getting clear of outward forms, dismissing knowledge and being absorbed into That which Pervades Everything" (Chuang Tzu 6:10).

Connected with the meditation there was practiced by certain individuals some form of breath control, as expressed by Chuang Tzu: the breathing of the sage is not like ordinary men, "he breathes with every part of him right down to the heels" (6:2). However, this author condemned physical exercises analogous to the yoga asanas (postures).

Varisara Dhauti - yogic cleansing technique in which a large quantity of water is drunk in conjunction with asanas to cleanse the entire digestive tract; also known as shankhaprakshalana.

Asana - (Sanskrit) "Seat; posture." In hatha yoga, asana refers to any of numerous poses prescribed to balance and tune up the subtle energies of mind and body for meditation and to promote health and longevity. Examples are the shoulder-stand (sarvangasana,"whole body pose") and the lotus pose (padmasana). Each asana possesses unique benefits, affecting the varied inner bodies and releasing energies in different parts of the nervous system.

While the physical science of hatha yoga can dramatically influence health and general well-being, it is primarily a preparation for the deeper yogas and meditations. Sivaya Subramuniyaswami has provided a system of 27 asanas to tune the nervous system for meditation and contemplation and to mitigate the burdensome karmas, known by the modern term "stress," built up through the interaction with other people. His 27 asanas are performed in a meditative sequence, not unlike a serene dance, accompanied by certain visualizations and pranayamas.
See: hatha yoga, raja yoga, yoga, yoga positions

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ARTICLES RELATED TO Asanas
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* Encyclopedia - Asana

Asana is Sanskrit for "seat". It is no accident that this word be chosen to describe the "posture" of Yoga. The idea of the "seat" in this context refers not only to the physical position of the body, but to the position of the spirit in relation to Divinity. This idea is often referred to as the "One Seat", by Yogis and Buddhists alike. Modern usage of the word asana in reference to the practice of Yoga generally intends the lesser definition; a physical posture or pose. Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutra describes asanaIncluding:

Read more here: » Asana: Encyclopedia - Asana

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* Importance Of Asanas

Four Asanas are prescribed for the purpose of Japa and meditation. They are Padmasana, Siddhasana, Svastikasana and Sukhasana. You must be able to sit in any one of these four Asanas at a stretch for full three hours without shaking the body. Then only you will get Asana-Jaya, mastery over the Asana. Without securing a steady Asana, you cannot further get on well in meditation. The steadier you are in your Asana, the more you will be able to concentrate and make your mind one-pointed. If you can be steady in the posture even for one hour, you will be able to acquire one-pointed mind and feel thereby infinite peace and Atmic Ananda.

Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Asanas: Importance Of Asanas

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Videos - asanas
Standing Splits - Advanced Yoga AsanaStanding Splits - Advanced Yoga Asana

Standing splits - advanced Yoga Asana variations. These Asanas are performed by Narayani, coauthor of "Sivananda Companion...

Easy Arrow Asana with Wai LanaEasy Arrow Asana with Wai Lana

This is a balancing pose. The Easy Arrow stretches the hamstrings, strengthens the back and abdominal muscles, and tones the abd...

Shilpa Yoga - Back AsanaShilpa Yoga - Back Asana

Using yoga asanas for back pain is something that has been common practice for many years. Yoga asanas are another name for yoga...

YOGA FOR BEGINNERS - Yoga Asanas Exercise, VajrasanaYOGA FOR BEGINNERS - Yoga Asanas Exercise, Vajrasana

Yoga asanas exercise, Vajrasana. This yoga practice brings success to the Yogis. One of the very few asanas, which can be done i...





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* Asanas for Asthma


Asthma is a disease that more and more people seem to be suffering from today. Many things trigger asthma - the main amongst those being: stress and anxiety, allergies and genetics. This yoga program seeks to tackle the root causes and work towards strengthening the immune system.
 
We will present asanas (postures), kriya (cleansing technique) and pranayama (breathing techniques) that strengthen, stretch and relax the body physically and re-balance internal systems at a deeper level. We begin with asanas that focus on increasing capacity of the lungs and relaxing the chest muscles which contract and remain tense during and after asthma attacks.
 
Instructions and benefits for
-       Singhasana
-       Ardha Chakrasana
-       Kapalbhati Kriya
-       Bhramri Pranayama
-       Bhastrika Pranayama
 

 
(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Yoga and Health: Asanas for Asthma

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* Asanas for the Back


The back is an amazingly strong structure, which allows the spine to move in all directions and planes. It is important not just to be free of your back pain, but also to have a strong and flexible back, which keeps you feeling light and healthy.
 
Here we give you warming-up and strengthening asanas, followed by toning and stretching of the back. Remember to do all the asanas in the order mentioned and at your own pace and level of flexibility.
 
Instructions and benefits for:
-       Tadasana (Palm tree pose)
-       Marchariasana (Cat Pose)
-       Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
-       Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
-       Viprit Naukasana (Inverted Boat Pose)
-       Pawanmuktasana
-       Sharnagat Mudra
 

 
(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Yoga and Health: Asanas for the Back

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* Yogi Ashwini ji of Dhyan Foundation


Suryanamaskar is the salutation to Sun God which is one of the major sources of prana in this creation. Prana being "The Force" in the universe, that which is responsible for creation, maintenance and transformation in the physical.
 
The sun's energy vibrates at innumerable frequencies manifesting in the physical as various food/ prana for various living things like trees, leaves, animals, humans etc.
 
Instructions and benefits for:
-       Surya Pranam Asana
-       Hasta Uthaan Asana
-       Padhasta Asana
-       Ashwa Sanchalan Asana
-       Parvat Asana
-       Ashtanga Namaskar
-       Bhujang Asana
 

 
(See also: Suryanamaskar, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Suryanamaskar: Yogi Ashwini ji of Dhyan Foundation

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* Yoga For Navel Disorder


Yoga theory says the navel is the originating point of around 72,000 types of nadis and these effect all organs of the human body. Today we give you two asanas to maintain the balance of the navel.
 
Benefits and instructions for:
-       Uttanapad asana
-       Paschimothan asana

 
(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Yoga and Health: Yoga For Navel Disorder

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* Yoga for acidity and other stomach problems.


The ultimate goal of yoga, "is not just a better body, but also a better state of being. Today we give you two exercises to improve acidity and other stomach problems.
 
Benefits and instructions for:
-       Shalabh Asana
-       Makar Asana

 
(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Yoga and Health: Yoga for acidity and other stomach problems.

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* Yoga for digestion


Proper breathing is the essence of yoga. The correct breathing technique is, when you inhale, bring the abdomen out; then breath out and take the abdomen in. This process should be as slow as it can be.
 
 
Benefits and instructions for:
-       Pavanmukt asana
-       Dhanur asana
 

 
(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Yoga and Health: Yoga for digestion

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* Yoga for Diabetics


Here we focus on a yoga program for Diabetics. Although genetic factors are also involved, a diet over- rich in carbohydrates, obesity, not enough exercise and stress also contribute to a large extent to this disease.
 
Yoga, with its amazing range of practices, can not only give you an exercise program to help reduce blood sugar but also realign, revitalize and improve the functioning of the Endocrine System and the organs and glands that are involved in diabetes.
 
Instructions and benefits for:
-       Bhastrika Pranayama
-       Uddiyan Bandha
-       Agnisar Kriya
-       Ushtrasana
-       Paschimottanasana
-       Bhujangasana
-       Ardhamatsyendrasana
-       Vakrasana
-       Merudandasana
 

 
(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Yoga and Health: Yoga for Diabetics

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Related Articles
Yoga Asanas - Their Purpose

Mastering Yoga Asanas offers the third stage in traditional training in the 8 fold system prescribed by Patanjali in classical Yoga. Traditional training in Hatha Yoga encourages mastery of some or all of the 84 classic Asanas over a period of time. This demands skill in both strength and flexibility. When assuming any Asana we must use discrimination and refrain from "performing" an attitude of body just for the sake of it, without having a reason and purpose.

How to Practice Yoga Asanas for Weight Loss

Most people wrestle with finding sustainable weight loss solutions over their entire lives. Incorporating yoga asana routines, along with a natural and healthy diet, can provide for an achievable approach to weight management. This method supports a health oriented lifestyle change that incorporates both exercise and diet for the long term.

Benefits of Salamba Sirasana

Salamba Sirasana is known as the king of asanas. As in any story the king and queen play different role, in the same manner the asanas also play a different role.

Accomplishing Yoga Asanas

Yoga has become widespread these days and a lot more people are involved in it. The majority say that there presently exists a lot of benefits that may be acquired from the practice of Yoga exercises. Overall flexibility is one of the countless rewards attained in practicing Yoga.


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