| Mastering Yoga Asanas offers the third stage in | | | | character. These are represented in the Asanas and |
| traditional training in the 8 fold system prescribed by | | | | named after the god-like noble qualities which serve as |
| Patanjali often referred to as Ashtanga Yoga. | | | | our inspiration. |
| One aspect of the Hatha Yoga Asanas focuses upon | | | | There are many other types of Asanas. Some are for |
| the evolution of the physical make-up and the | | | | purification, others for strengthening, steadying, calming |
| muscular development of the human form from its | | | | the nerves, for lightness and flexibility, for balance, and |
| presumed aquatic origins, advancing to present man. | | | | for self confidence. Yet others are for spiritual use in |
| The muscular system evolving through the various | | | | meditation. |
| kingdoms is reflected in the symbolic Asanas which | | | | When assuming any Asana we must use |
| begin with such postures as the "fish" and proceed | | | | discrimination and refrain from "performing" an attitude |
| through the amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal stages | | | | of body just for the sake of it, without having a reason |
| until human muscle development is complete. Each | | | | and purpose. Practising the physical Asanas without |
| asana exercises or utilizes a particular set of muscles | | | | deeper purpose will debase the system to a level of |
| corresponding to those used by the creature after | | | | sheer acrobatics. |
| which the asana is named. | | | | If you overstrain through wrong use of the Asanas, |
| Another important purpose of Asanas is to achieve | | | | certain forces are awakened prematurely or damage |
| physical health and longevity and there are a number | | | | is done to the fine network of vital channels, known as |
| of Asanas which are practised for this reason, the | | | | the nadis, which weave a fabric of vital energy |
| most important of which are listed under the article "21 | | | | protecting you from outside influences and detrimental |
| Health Asanas". | | | | vibrations. It is your shield of protection. Awareness of |
| However, the system of Asanas was developed | | | | this etheric shield will come to you through patient |
| through understanding that the attitude or the position | | | | observation of the body and correct application of the |
| of the body affects the mind just as a mental attitude | | | | breathing and asanas. |
| reflects in the assumed physical stance or posture. | | | | The key to effective results from your practice is |
| What we now call "body language" in modern | | | | dependent upon the specific breathing you employ |
| understanding is just a new awareness of an ancient | | | | whilst holding the position as well as the duration that |
| principle. Aware of the intimate association between | | | | each Asana is held. |
| mind and body the Indian sages developed a system | | | | Understand the type of body you possess and learn |
| of Yoga Asanas to assist both physical and spiritual | | | | to perfect it within any obvious limitations until perfect |
| development and well being. Traditional training in Hatha | | | | health is attained with the assistance of your teacher. |
| Yoga encourages mastery of some or all of the 84 | | | | The 21 Health Asanas will be guide as they include the |
| classic Asanas over a period of time. This demands | | | | several required to keep the spine free - forward |
| skill in both strength and flexibility. | | | | bending, back bending, side bending, twisting and |
| Together with this training in assuming physical | | | | inverted position and the comfortable seated position |
| attitudes is the development of the individual's thought | | | | needed in order to practise Pranayama and meditation. |
| and philosophy which reflects his attitude to life. He is | | | | An important reminder of the essential simplicity of the |
| encouraged to assume a philosophy based upon | | | | system is that although 84 positions of the body may |
| natural principles that will serve to guide him through life. | | | | be assumed, and the challenge and mastery of them |
| It must be not only based upon the classical code of | | | | is admirable, the great Siva taught the first 4 as being |
| ethics (the Yamas/Niyamas) but directed from within | | | | Siddhasana, Padmasana, Simhasana, and Bhadrasana. |
| by his own intuition. This mental attitude to life also | | | | Western students enjoy testing their physical abilities in |
| requires strength and flexibility. | | | | achieving the Asanas but attaining a position is just the |
| In addition to those that stimulate the physiological | | | | beginning. We must be able to achieve a passive |
| functions of the body there are others that correspond | | | | position, adopt the appropriate pranayama and |
| to human symbols of qualities and desired attributes of | | | | concentrate our minds upon its purpose. |
| the human psyche that we wish for in our own | | | | |