ASANA, MEANING, CLASSIFICATION, TECHNIQUE & UTILITY

ASANA, MEANING, CLASSIFICATION, TECHNIQUE & UTILITY
Prior to everything, asana is spoken of as the first part of hatha yoga.
Having done asana, one attains steadiness of body and mind, freedom from disease and lightness of the limbs.
Hatha yoga pradipika (1.17)
Asana means a state of being in which one can remain physically and mentally steady, calm, quiet and comfortable. In the yoga Sutras of Patanjali there is a concise definition of yogasanas : "sthiram sukham aasanam", meaning that position which is comfortable and steady. So, we can see that yogasanas in this context are practised to develop the practitioner is ability to sit comfortably in one position for on extended length of time, as is necessary during meditation.
In the following aphorism, Patanjali further elaborates this idea :
Prayatna – saithilyananta – Sama pattibhyam
(P.Y.S.P. 47)
Perfection is attained through negation of effort and concentration on the Infinite. When perfection is attained in any asana, the external movements of the yogi gradually and progressively diminish till they cease altogether. This aphorism, thus, not only corroborates the idea contained in the preceding one, but also indicates that the attainment of Samadhi. In the aphorism, which follows, this idea has been further elaborated:
Tato dvandvanabhighatah
(P.Y.S.P. 48)
On attainment of perfection in the asanas, the individual becomes immune to dualities. The body of the yogi remains unaffected by heat or cold and other dualities on the attainment of perfection in asanas.
In the Gita, Lord Krishna, while instructing Arjuna about yoga, has detailed the technique of yoga which results in the control of the mind.
Yogi yunjita Satatamatanam rahasi sthitan
Ekaki yata- cittatma nirasiraparigrahan.
(S.B.G., 6,10)
The yogi should try constantly to concentrate his mind on the supreme self, remaining in solitude and alone, self-controlled, and relieved from desires and longings for possessions. Further, he says :
Sucau dese pratisthapya sthiramasanamatmanah
Natyucchritam nati-nicam cailajina-Kusottaram.
Tattraikagram mavah krtva yata-cittendriya-Kriya
Upavisyasene yunjyad yogamatma – visuddhaye.
(S.B.G., 6, 11-12)
In a clean place which is neither too high nor too low and covered with the sacred grass, kusa, a deer skin and a cloth, one over the other, sitting in asana, one must bring one's mind to concentrate and, controlling the thoughts and senses, one should practise yoga for self-purification.
In raja yoga, asana refers to the sitting position, but in hatha yoga it means something more. Asanas are specific body positions which open the energy channels and psychic centres. They are tooks to higher awareness and provide the stable foundation for our exploration of the body, breath, mind and beyond. The hatha yogis also found that by developing control of the body through asana, the mind is also controlled. Therefore, the practice of asana is foremost in hatha yoga.
In the yogic scriptures it is said that there were originally 8,400,000 asanas, which represent the 8,400,0000 incarnations every individual must pass through before attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death. These asanas represented a progressive evolution from the simplest form of lite to the most complex : that of a fully realised human being. Down through the ages the great rishis and yogis modified and reduced the number of asanas to the few hundred known today. Of these few hundred, only the eighty-four are most useful.
Asanas may be classified as
1. Meditative
2. Cultural
3. Reparative
1. Meditative Asanas – Asanas are sitting pastures, which maintain the body in steady and comfortable condition. By various arrangement of the legs and hands different Meditative asasnas are formed. The characteristic feature of meditative asana is however, keeping the head, neck and trunk erect. eg. Sidhasana, padmasana. etc.
2. Cultural Asanas : This type of asana involves static stretching, which bring about proper tone of the muscles. They contribute to the flexibility of the spine and render back and spinal muscles stronger. They also stimulate proper working of the vital oragons in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. These are innumerable varieties of cultural asanas which are performed in sitting, lying and standing positions.
a. Backward bending asana – Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Dhanurasana, Chakrasana
b. Forward bending asana – Paschimottauasau, Pada hastasana.
c. Sprial Twisting asanas – Ardha Matsyendera asana.
d. inverted asanas – Sarvangasana, Sirshasana.
e. Balancing asanas – Garud asana, Natarajasana, uttbita Hasta padangusthasana.
3. Reparative Asanas : This type of asanas are performed in the lying position and are meant for giving rest to the body and wind. eg. Savasana, makarasana.
Technique and Utility
Every asana has its individual technique. but certain guidelines to be followed during practice of asanas. Although anybody can practise asanas, they become more effacious and beneficial when performed in the proper manner after correct preparation.
Breathing : Always breathe through the nose unless specific instructions are given to the contrary. Try to coordinate the breath with the asana practice.
Awareness : This is as essential to the practice of asana as it is to all yoga practices. The purpose of asana practice is to influence, integrate and harmonise all the levels of being : physical, pranic, mental, emotional, psychic and spiritual. At first it may appear that asanas are merely concerned with the physical level because try deal with the movement of different parts of the body. Actually, however they has profound effects at every level of being if key are combined with awareness.
Relaxation : Shavasana may be performed at any point during asana practice, especially when feeling physically or mentally tired. It should also be practised on completion of the asana programme.
Sequence – After completing shatkarma, asana should be done, followed by pranayama, then pratyahara and dharana which lead to meditation.
Counterpose : When practising the middle and advanced group of asanas particularly, it is important that the programe is structured so that backward bends are followed by forward bends and vice versa and that whatever is practised on one side of body is repeated on the other side. This concept of counterpose is necessary to bring the body back to a balanced state.
No straining : Never exert undue force while doing asanas. Beginners may find their muscles stiff at first, but after several weeks of regular practice key will be surprised to find that their muscles are more supple.
Age limitations : Asana may be practised by people all age groups, male and female.
Contra-indications : People with fractured bones or who are suffering from chronic ailments and diseases such as stomach ulcer, tuberculosis or hernia and those recuperating from operations, should consult a yoga teacher or doctor before commencing asanas.
A seer named Gheranda has listed the following 32 as the more important of the 84 asanas :
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e`ra xqIra rFkk eRl;a eRl;sUnzklueso pA
xksj{ka if'peksÙkkua mRdVa ladaV rFkkAA
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'kyHka edja m"Vªa Hkqatxa p ;ksxklue~A
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(1) Sidhasana (Perfect Posture), (2) Padmasana (lotus posture)(, (3) Bhadrasana (Blessed posture), (4) Muktasana (liberated posture), (5) Vajarasana (Adamantine posture), (6) Svastikasana (Svastika posture), (7) Simhasana (Lion posture), (8) Gomukhasana (Cow-head posture), (9) Virasana (Hero's posture), (10) Dhanurasana (Bow posture), (11) Mrtasana (Corpse posture), (12) Guptasana (Concealed posture), (13) Matsyasana (fish posture) (14) Matsyendrasna (Matsyendra posture), (15) Goraksana (Goraksa Posture), (16) Pascimottanasava (Posterior-stretch posture), (17) Utkatasana (squatting posture), (18) Sankatasana (Contracted posture), (19) Mayurasa (Peacock posture), (20) Kukkutasana (Cock posture), (21) kurmasana (Tortoise posture), (22) Uttana Kurmasana (stretched tortoise posture), (23) Uttanamandukasana (Stretched frog posture), (24) Vrkasana (Tree posture), (25) Mandukasana (Frog posture), (26) Garud asana (Eagle posture), (27) Vrsabhasana (Ox posture), (28) Salabhasana (hocust posture), (29) Makrasana (Crocodile posture), (30) ustrasana (camel posture), (31) Bhujangasana (Cobra posture), (32) Yogasana (Yoga posture).
These asanas are capable of bestowing supernatural powers on men. Only eleven out of these thirty two have been rated as the leading asanas. In Hothayoga Pradipika, Swatmarama, a disciple of Goraksanatha detailed as follows :
1. Perfect posture (Siddhasana)
2. Lotus posture (Padmasana)
3. Cow-head posture (Gomukhasana)
4. hero's posture (Virasana)
5. Cock posture (kukkutasana)
6. Stretched-tortoise posture (Uttankurmasan)
7. bow Posture (Dhanurasana)
8. Matsyendra posture (Matsyendrasana)
9. Posterior-Stretch posture (Paschimottanasana)
10. Peacok Posture (Mayurasana)
11. Carpse Posture (Savasana)