Light on Yoga - Day 27

Tribute to Guruji and Light on Yoga - Day 27

The third and most well known limb in Patanjali's ashtanga yoga is Asana or the postures. Mr. Iyengar wrote quite a lot on asana in this first part of the book beginning with stating how the postures "bring steadiness, health and lightness of limb."

Mr. Iyengar clarifies that asana are postures, not merely gymnastic exercises and are done to bring steadiness, mental equilibrium and prevent fickleness of the mind. 
He also writes that to perform them all one needs is a clean, airy place, a blanket and determination. :)
The postures can be done alone and the limbs of the body act to provide the necessary weights and counter-weights. By practicing them one develops, "agility, balance, endurance and great vitality" by exercising "every muscle, nerve and gland in the body."

As you can see there are many physical benefits, but Mr. Iyengar is clear that this is required to free the muscle-bound body from disease and mental fatigue because only then can one train and discipline the mind.

"The yogi conquers the body by the practice of asana and makes it a fit vehicle for the spirit."

When we cherish both the body and the mind and know that health cannot be bought we treat the body as divine and work hard to know the Inner Self, that Divine Spark.

Mr. Iyengar also writes about the significance of the names of the asanas as they illustrate evolution.  Postures are named after vegetation, insects, aquatic animals, birds, mammals as well as the human embryonic state.  Many legendary hero's are also included to show that one should see the unity in all.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.BlogSpot.com