The Importance of The Final State of an Asana in Yoga

The methodical study of scientific yoga begins with postural training associated with rhythmic breathing. The evaluation of a yogasana or the posture of the human body is tantamount to evaluating one’s personality. As much as determination and firmness of will are influenced by our thoughts so also are they controlled by the outward demeanour of our personality. All efforts in yogasana require a certain amount of will-power and perseverance to achieve the desired end. This has to be cultivated through the practice of the eightfold path as outlined in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. The eight fold path is the Ashtanga yoga. If you observe around yourself, a man with a strong will power sits up straight and walks straight steadily. His personality emanates self-confidence and self- control. A weak minded person on the other hand is adept to constantly changing his posture, is fidgety and has nervous mannerisms. Imbalance and restlessness of his posture are strongly related to the state of his mind. This correlation between physical body posture and the mind was discovered by the Indian yogis. For long hours of meditation, the yogis felt the need to define postures where the seer could sit for long uninterrupted. Hence yogasana or physical posture became an important requisite for all yogic endeavors. Awkward and faulty postures can contribute to physical disturbance and therefore put an end to concentrated meditation. Similarly, a particular posture may not suit all individuals and so, evolved the culture of yogasana.

According to Hathayoga texts there are as many yogic postures as there are living beings and the symbolic figure of 8,400, 000 is frequently used. Of these only 84 postures are useful to man. Hence a wide selection is available through the 84 asanas and their equally numbered dynamic variations. Of these some are defined primarily for meditation. Meditative postures produce mental equilibrium and continuity of practice produces marked benefits on the psychological composure of an individual. The purpose of yogasana was to make the body healthy, achieve flexibility and drive away sloth, inertia and torpor.

In ancient India, Sage Patanjali was the first to recognize the need for education and technology linking the body, the spirit, the conscious and unconscious mind. The Patanjali yoga sutras are a compilation of 195 sutras in Sanskrit on the practice of yoga as outlined by Sage Patanjali. The text of Patanjali yoga sutras is divided into four chapters of which the second chapter mentions the method and importance of the asana or the body posture. Sutras or aphorisms lucidly describe the importance of an asana. Sutras 46 through 48 are attributed solely to the practice of asana.

Sutra 46- Sthiram sukham asanam
An asana is that body posture which is both firm as well as comfortable. Since progress of a student of yoga is concentrated effort on the physical, mental, moral and physical growth, therefore the mind must be relaxed and at ease. An asana must allow the student to concentrate on his meditation more than on the discomfort of the body posture.
Sthiram- steady , sukham - comfortable and pleasant , asanam- physical body posture
Sutra 47- Prayatnasaithilyam ananta samapattibhyam
A posture that can be maintained effortlessly with total relaxation of both mind and body. When one discards effort and relaxes completely a posture in which one can stay with steady comfort without being bothered by time, changes in weather or simply through impatience. As one discards effort and relaxes, one discovers a posture in which one can stay with steady comfort without being bothered by time, impatience or bodily discomfort.
Sutra 48-Tato dvandvanabhigatahah

One who finds himself a yogic posture where the body is in harmony with the world also discovers that variations in temperature-heat or cold, change in climate or change in emotions leave the body unaffected. This is a yogic way of self-experience and experiment. Therefore, with regards to the teachings of Sage Patanjali, an asana is most beneficial if it is maintained for a prolonged period of time. In the Patanjali yoga sutras only four aphorisms are attributed to the practise of asanain succint form. The emphasis is foreach individual to discover a posture wherein he can maintain a steady mind and body state for a prolonged period of time.

The physical culture of yoga that proliferates under different commercial names and banners are derivatives of Hatha Yoga. Asana is the third limb of the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga as outlined in the Patanjali yoga sutras. Continuity of postural practice is recommended in yogic texts not to eliminate disease but to build tenacity for keeping both, mind and body in a steady state for a prolonged period of time.