In the West most equate yoga with asana -- the poses. Most see it as some form of twisty weird exercise, a means to a physical end -- to become stronger, tone muscle, be more flexible, lose weight, stretch tight muscles, etc.
In our study of the Yoga Sutras, the foundational texts describing yoga philosophy and practice, we discover that of the 196 Yoga Sutras, there are a grand total of THREE that address asana. The poses with which we commonly define the practice of yoga are relegated to a mere mention.
Does this imply that we have it all wrong and doing all those poses is for naught? Nope. Asana is one of the co-equal 8 Limbs of Yoga which we are called to practice diligently. An asana practice is essential to finding strength and ease with which to embrace all the other aspects of a yogic life. And in fact it is an exercise of sorts in that it helps our bodies remain strong and balanced -- but that is not the totality of what it means to learn and practice the postures.
Practicing the poses passed down through generations of teachers in various traditions is meant to help us find both strength and ease in the body, or another way of saying this is to find steadiness and comfort. When we are oblivious to our bodies, or do harm to them, hold tension and stress in our muscles, or fail to breathe deeply our mind becomes distracted from a state of calm attention and puts its awareness on our physical discomfort.
Asana practice allows us to focus on and strengthen our physical awareness and conditioning to find ease and comfort with stillness, movement, and breath. When moving through the poses, we find the opportunity to link breath to movement, notice what is easeful and what is challenging, subtly adjust our posture to find a good balance between effort and ease, at times by challenging ourselves a bit, but never, ever to the point of pain or struggle. As bodies become stronger, more flexible, and more balanced, our minds can find the same easeful rest in meditation -- and in life.
Asana practice prepares us for the more subtle aspects of yoga -- that of living a life of awareness in mind, body, and spirit, without distraction or attachment to that which is not the seat of our true self.
There are many lineages leading to many different styles of yoga asana practice. You can Google and find descriptions of them. The lineage in which I was trained dates back to Sri T. Krishnamacharaya in India. He passed on his knowledge to others who used the basis of his teachings to inform their own now famous styles of yoga (Iyengar and Ashtanga), but most notably he passed his teachings on to his son, TKV Desikachar. He went on to develop the Viniyoga style which seeks to develop a practice individualized to each student and has a therapeutic aspect as further refined by Gary Kraftsow in America. Kraftsow taught Robin Rothenberg, who taught my teacher, Elizabeth Gray, who taught ME! I claim no expertise, being a rank beginner teacher, but one who is nevertheless grateful for the knowledge and practice of this lineage.
The next time you find yourself in Downward Dog, remember to find stability and ease there, breathe with awareness, and know the pose is moving you toward a more calm and aware inner life, which is the whole goal of yoga -- not to twist into strange shapes, but to calm the fluctuations of the mind, leading to a life well lived for ourselves and in relationship with others. ©
Namaste, donnajurene
Photo Credit: Seattle Yoga News
Resources: Yoga International; Tracy Weber: Whole Life Blog; Yoga Journal
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