Asanas (Yoga Poses)

There are many types of yoga exercises. There are also just as many yoga poses, and each one can affect your body or mind in a different way. Asana can be defined as a physical Yoga posture, any type of posture, whether you are sitting, standing, stretching or even have your legs behind your head is known to be an asana. These asanas are made to master the body and strengthen the body's functions. According to Isha: "  “Asana” quite simply means “a posture.” Any way that we may sit, stand or position our hands is an asana. And so, innumerable asanas are possible. However, a particular posture that leads you to a higher possibility is called a yogasana." *


Yoga poses are, Yoga exercises  that create strength and endurance. When I first started doing yoga last year, I thought I would never see changes with my body, however when I visited my doctor couple months ago, he told me the circulation in my blood has drastically improved. Yoga does not only help the body in a long term period, and I realized that as I was sitting in silence, thinking of how joyful it was being alone, and so relaxed, it helps the mind! When I do Yoga, I don't see the body results within a day, or a week; however, the results become noticeable after a month and I can honestly say, it is one of the greatest feelings. After practising yoga regularly, my body reaches a point of relaxation, and that is mainly the goal of this exercise. 


In the Yoga Sutras, Pantanjali suggests that the only requirement for practising asanas is that it be "steady and comfortable".** So, many of you whom have tried yoga for the first time, might have not liked it. I can relate to that, because that was once me. Once you follow Pantanjali, and you are comfortable in your positions, you may start to like it and may go further with the steps. Just a reminder,

Performing asanas:

Before practicing different asanas, I noticed that my stomach should be empty. After my first time doing yoga, I was twisting, moving and stretching my inflexible body. During my session I started getting cramps because I had ate couple hours before. It was more of the painful cramps, it was not really the experience I was hoping of having on my first time doing asanas.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is, trying to control your breathing. When I was younger, I did track and field. My coach always told me that the way you breathe really helps your endurance and keeps a rhythm to your run. I try to control my breathing with almost any, and all the exercises I practice. As I was doing yoga, breathing properly did save me much more energy, and at last the breathing helps because it keeps your mind in a peaceful place.

As a little tip, I really suggest you to keep your stomach empty, or eating something little before your exercise, and at last control your breathing because it helps your body in various ways!

Number of positions
According to Wikipedia: "In 1959, Swami Vishnu-devananda published 66 basic postures and 136 variations of those postures. 

In 1975, Sri Dharma Mittra suggested that "there are an infinite number of asanas." He eventually compiled a list of 1300 variations, coming from contemporary gurus, yogis, and ancient and contemporary texts."**

As I lay on my yoga mat, I change my posture frequently, but I could not imagine compiling a list of 1300 variations. The work of gurus, yogis and ancient texts really fascinate me, and that's why I really wanted to share it with you on this week's blog! 
See you next week :)

* http://blog.ishafoundation.org/yoga-meditation/demystifying-yoga/an-asana-can-change-your-life/ - second paragraph.

  **http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana

 

History of Yoga

Now that you are familiar with where yoga had originally come from and began, I would like to inform you more about the History. We might already have an idea of what Yoga is but to understand it better, we have to know what it has become as well as its roots and beginnings. A quick look at the history of Yoga might help you incorporate Yoga into your lives, like it it did in mine!


We could divide it into four periods: the Vedic Period, Pre-Classical Period, Classical Period, and Post-Classical Period.

Vedic Period
The Vedas is another sacred scripture, such as "The Yoga Sutra". However, this scripture according to Jiiva:  "is the sacred scripture of Brahmanism that is the basis of modern-day Hinduism."*
From what I learned, what is written in this scripture is hymns. As I explained in my previous blogs, my neighbour did attend school in India, and she did learn a lot of Yoga's History, she did tell me that inside this scripture is the oldest teachings.  In my opinions, the Vedas does seem more of the scripture that helps the mind and keeps you in peace since it does contain hymns. It seems more of a relaxing "book", that keeps individuals living in harmony.

Pre-Classical Yoga
"The creation of the Upanishad marks the Pre-Classical Yoga. The 200 scriptures of the Upanishads describe the inner vision of reality resulting from devotion to Brahman", explains Jiiva.


In India, we don't only see Hinduism but also Buddhism. These two religions are very similar in my opinion, as we can sight Yoga in both their History's. When I took religion in grade 10, I learned that Buddha started teaching Buddhism, and we also went on a feel trip to visit a Buddhist Temple. They really explained how important Meditation is for them, and the study of the postures, which is part of Yoga. What I also noticed on this feel trip 2 years ago was, when they were praying, their bodies were positioned in different ways. Those positions almost looked like asanas (postures) which are used in yoga, it was very interesting!

Classical Period
The Classical Period is marked by the formation of "the Yoga Sutra". I had already spoken about this scripture in my previous blog. A minor reminder, it is written by Patanjali around the second century. According to Jiiva: "It is composed of 195 sutras that clarify upon the Raja Yoga and its underlying principle, Patanjali's Eightfold path of Yoga (also called Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga). These are:

1. Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values;
2. Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study;
3. Asanas or physical exercises;
4. Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation;
5. Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation;
6. Dharana, which is about concentration;
7. Dhyana, which means Meditation;
8. Samadhi, which means ecstasy.  "*

The Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga really remind me of the 10 commandments in the Bible. They are 10 ways to live a better life, such as the Eight Limbs. The second Limb is very accurate to now a days, its to keep your soul purified. I find Yoga not only a good way to learn new things, feel better about yourself physically and emotionally, but it is honestly such a nice way to learn about your beliefs and contrast them.

Post-Classical Yoga
This period of yoga as you can notice in its name is more of the yoga from our generation. According to Jiiva: "The introduction of yoga to the West during the early 19th century. It was first studied as part of eastern philosophy and began as a movement for health and vegetarianism around the 1930′s."

I personally believe that yoga has become something commonly known, that has really spread around the world! It started off being very little, and after many Gurus who had started opening schools in different countries such as America, it became something really big, and it fascinates me!

Stay updated on my weekly Blogs and you will learn more about the types of yoga and how it is one of the greatest ways to cure your body and clear your mind! :)


Terms **
All of these definitions were obtained from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Yoga

Upanishads: ancient scriptures of Hindu philosophy that describe the path of Jnana Yoga
Abhinivesha: survival instinct
Asanas: postures
Bhakti Yoga: it emphasizes the devotion to the divine
Chakras: centers of energy located between the base of your spinal column and the crown or your head
Dhyana: meditaion
Hatha Yoga, Ha: Sun Tha: Moon a type of yoga primarily concerned with mastering control over the physical body as a path to enlightenment
Jnana Yoga: it emphasizes questioning and meditation
Kriya Yoga: focuses on action and participation in life
Mantra Yoga: involves chanting of sounds
Om: a syllable that is used as a mantra
Padmasana: lotus pose
Pingala: a channel on the right side of the spine through which prana moves
Prana: soul of the universe
Pranayama: breathing exercises
Raja Yoga: it focuses on the control of the intellect in order to obtain enlightenment
Samadhi: goal of yoga, becoming aware of nothing
Tantra: technique
Tantra Yoga: made up of different rituals
Tapas: self-discipline
Upanishads: ancient scriptures of Hindu philosophy that describe the path of Jnana Yoga
Yoga: to yoke or join together
Yogi: one who practices yoga
Vinyasa: grouping of yoga postures that flow together

*http://jiiva.com.au/portfolio/yoga-history/

**http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/fall05/levy/terms.html