What is Asana?

Tapas power yoga center

?Asana doesn’t refer to the ability to perform a hand stand or a picturesque impressive backbend, the root of the word Asana means comfortable ‘seat’ – specifically the seat you would take for the practice of meditation. The most important posture is in fact “sthira sukham asanam” – meaning, ‘a posture the practitioner can hold comfortably and motionlessness’

Because asana means "seat" in Sanskrit, experts believe that the first yoga asanas were simple seated positions that were held for long periods of time in order to facilitate meditation.

As yoga developed and was influenced by other cultures, different asanas evolved so as to allow yoga practitioners to challenge themselves mentally, physically and spiritually.

WHY DO WE PRACTICE ASANA?

Through the practice of asanas, we develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate, Asana practice works the physical body so the mind has a healthy and peaceful place to reside. Yogasanas are different ways to shape our body, when we step into a pose we are creating a certain flow of energy. we call it “prana pumps.” Prana is awareness, and often equated with “energy” of life force.” Each shape has a different effect on our prana, and postures can be sequenced in a multitude ways to support the practitioner to concentrate and find a place of blissful connection. No matter how much we do asana practice. The body will not reach its optimum state of being without the support of the mind.