Attachment to Yoga Asana - How the West Has Made Yoga More About Its Physical Practice

Western civilization today has formed an attachmentthat is important for us to reduce the modifications and
to the physical practice of yoga: the asana. Therapid thoughts of the mind in order for us to 'have
practice of yoga asana is only one aspect of an eightyoga.' If the West is constantly focusing on the
limb path; however Westerners choose to associatephysical appearance or the ability to do certain poses,
yoga solely with this path because of the culture'show are we working towards reducing the
intense infatuation with the physical body and the ego.'mind-stuff'? The more the western culture focuses on
The other seven limbs are disregarded because thisthe results of the Yoga Asana practice, the more they
culture does not understand the cycle of life and deathare moving away from the goal of Yoga.
with regard to the internal, subtle body as well as theyThe reason that this occurs in this civilization is
understand the gross, physical body.because this culture was never taught to understand
The eight limbs of yoga are Yama (rule or code ofthe internal, subtle body. Also, this civilization tends to
conduct for living which will help bring a compassionatenot embrace death as much as they embrace life. In
death to the ego or "the lower self"), Niyama (set ofthe East, both concepts of life and death are
behaviors that a yogi should live by), Pranayamaembraced because both are natural occurrences of
(restraint and control of the life force-breath),life. The focus on ONLY life and physically getting
Pratyahara (withdrawal of the sense), Asana, Dharanastronger and making the body more fit tends to
(Concentration), Samadhi (Contemplation), Dhyanaunconsciously make westerners close of the channel
(Meditation). These paths were created so that thereof understanding towards the non-physical aspects of
are multiple routes down the road towardslife: particularly in the subtle body. With a lack of
enlightenment and illumination. Each path has itsadmiration towards death and the expiration of the
benefits. Nevertheless, the purpose of each path is tophysical body, it cannot be expected for this civilization
assist in breaking down (and chopping the head off of)to fully embrace the other limbs of yoga. These other
the Ego. We use these path(s) as a means ofseven limbs require the sadhaka to go internally
assisting us to reach a union with the Divine (yoga).deeper and deeper within the subtle body every time.
However, asana tends to get most of the focus. YogaUntil the West is ready to embrace the cycle of life
asana has an unlimited amount of benefits. It can helpand death and truly understand the occurrence of
strengthen the body, cure the body of diseases andrebirth during each purgatory, it cannot be expected of
ailments, purify and detoxify the body and mind,them to fully understand some of the most esoteric
immortalize the body, as well as prepare the mind forand mystical concepts of yoga.
meditation. In the Western civilization, they areWhen one unites with the divine, you are not attached
continually trying to figure out ways to 'improve' ourto anything else. A union can only occur between two
bodies or 'slow down' the aging process. They buy intoindependent objects: that's all. One object cannot bring
the idea that looking and feeling great always equatesmany attachments and expect to link with divinity.
a wonderful life. This is sometimes true; but everyoneThere can only be one link that can fit the divine outlet.
tends to forget about the "mind-stuff."Master the asana and then use the mastery to
Patanjali states very clearly in his book "Yoga Sutras"connect to the SELF, not the physical body.