The Yogasanas - Cultural Postures for the Mind and Body

What is a yogasana? A yogasana literally means a posture that is assumed by th ebody to discover the Self. A state in which the body and mind are in union with the Supreme Self. A yogasana is therefore defined as a means to hold the body in a physical posture so as to deliver stability to the body and composure to the mind. The physical culture of yogasana includes 84 asanas (physical postures), with an equal number of dynamic variations, three bandhas (muscular body locks), twelve mudras ( neuromuscular controls) ten mahamudras (enhanced neuromuscular controls), Shatkarmas (six internal purificatory techniques). All these are practiced along with breath regulation or Pranayama.

Yog asanas are classified into three broad categories-

Meditative Postures, Relaxation Postures and Cultural Postures
This broad classification of asanas is based on the attributes that the practice endows on the mind and body.

Meditative Postures- These are postures designed and developed such that the spine remains straight, the lower body is locked free from fidgetiness and the mind remains steadfast.

Relaxation Postures- These asanas give complete rest to all the body parts. They give a sense of calmness and completely suspend the mind of thought and the body of all physical restlessness.

Cultural postures- These asanas or body postures were developed from different animals and life forms living on this planet, they lend important qualities that we seek to emulate and are characteristic to animals, birds or other life-forms.

The sub-classification of asanas is based on the method in which they are performed. They are Sitting, Standing, Supine, Prone, Hand, Kneeling, and Head Postures.

Sitting postures- All asanas that are performed in the seated posture. These include all the meditative postures eg. Padmasana (The Lotus Posture), Sukhasana (The easy posture ) etc.

Supine postures- These are asanas that are performed lying down on the floor on one’s back. They straighten the spine and involve all spine flexion in the forward direction and limited flexion in the backward direction. Examples include- Shavasana (the corpse pose), Matsyasana (the fish ), Halasana (the plough) etc.

Abdominal Postures or Prone Postures- Asanas performed in the prone position where the flexion of the spine is concentrated more in the backward direction. These include- Bhujangasana (The Cobra), Dhanurasana (The Bow ), Shalabhasana (The Locust).

Hand Postures- When a large part of the body is supported by the hands the asana is claasified under this category. They include asanas like Hamsasana (The Swan Pose), Mayurasana(The Peacock Pose), etc.

Kneeling Postures- The kneel down position is characteristic to Vajrasana (the Thunderbolt posture) and its variations which include Ushtrasana (the Camel Pose), Suptavajrasana (The Supine thunderbolt) etc.

Standing Postures- These are asanas that are performed while standing. Standing Postures commonly practiced are Garudasana(the Eagle Pose), Vrukshasana (The Tree), Tadasana (The Palm Tree), etc.

Head Postures- When the complete weight and balance of the body is taken up by the head in the asana it comes under this category, eg. Sheersasana or the Head stand.

Whatever asana you choose to include in your daily regime, ensure it is performed under the guidance of a qualified instructor and done with proper breath control.