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Yoga with Marianne www.yogalite.co.uk Sthira and Sukha ASANAS, postures In the west, the first approach of Yoga is often postures: specific positions such as the relaxation position (Shavasana), the seated position (Padmasana (lotus) or Siddhasana (adept pose)), the standing position (Tadasana), inversion (Sirsasana), etc. According to Patanjali, “Asana” is only the 3rd limb of Yoga. The first practices presented to the aspirant yogis are more ethical. The first limb are the Yamas and concern our relationship with others. The 2nd limb are the Niyamas. They are about our relationship with ourselves. Both are disciplines that allow us to achieve harmony on an external level of consciousness. A further step in this line of practice is Asana or postures. This is what we are discussing in this week session. Asanas concern the discipline of the body itself. Although this is a very important limb of Yoga, in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, only a couple of slokas (verses) are dedicated to asanas. “The posture is firm and soft” ... and ... “It is attained by pacification through correct effort and contemplating the infinite”. (PYS, 2.46 and 2.47. Translated by Bernard Bouanchaud) Asana is not just an externally codified position; it is a subjective experience that allows us to explore and discover the nuances of the body, mind and spirit, bringing all parts of ourselves into harmonious balance: firmness in directing our actions, and softness in expressing them. “Pacification throughout effort” is the effort to practise regularly. Within this routine practice, it is essential to adapt this practice to our body shape and possibilities. Only then may we hope to reduce tensions accumulated by years of competitive behaviour; relax and be free in action. In asanas you are looking at achieving a state of equilibrium and inner peace (satva). “Pacification” is achieved through the subtle level of the respiration in the posture. “The contemplation of the infinite” means that we are aware of that “infinite” while the body remains in the posture.

ASANAS, postures - Yogalite · ASANAS, postures In the west, the first approach of Yoga is often postures: specific positions such as the relaxation position (Shavasana), the seated

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Yoga with Marianne www.yogalite.co.uk Sthira and Sukha

ASANAS, postures In the west, the first approach of Yoga is often postures: specific positions such as the relaxation position (Shavasana), the seated position (Padmasana (lotus) or Siddhasana (adept pose)), the standing position (Tadasana), inversion (Sirsasana), etc.

According to Patanjali, “Asana” is only the 3rd limb of Yoga. The first practices presented to the aspirant yogis are more ethical. The first limb are the Yamas and concern our relationship with others. The 2nd limb are the Niyamas. They are about our relationship with ourselves. Both are disciplines that allow us to achieve harmony on an external level of consciousness. A further step in this line of practice is Asana or postures. This is what we are discussing in this week session.

Asanas concern the discipline of the body itself. Although this is a very important limb of Yoga, in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, only a couple of slokas (verses) are dedicated to asanas.

“The posture is firm and soft” ... and ... “It is attained by pacification through correct effort and contemplating the infinite”. (PYS, 2.46 and 2.47. Translated by Bernard Bouanchaud)

Asana is not just an externally codified position; it is a subjective experience that allows us to explore and discover the nuances of the body, mind and spirit, bringing all parts of ourselves into harmonious balance: firmness in directing our actions, and softness in expressing them.

“Pacification throughout effort” is the effort to practise regularly. Within this routine practice, it is essential to adapt this practice to our body shape and possibilities. Only then may we hope to reduce tensions accumulated by years of competitive behaviour; relax and be free in action.

In asanas you are looking at achieving a state of equilibrium and inner peace (satva). “Pacification” is achieved through the subtle level of the respiration in the posture. “The contemplation of the infinite” means that we are aware of that “infinite” while the body remains in the posture.

Yoga with Marianne www.yogalite.co.uk Sthira and Sukha

On one hand “HA”, the vital energy stemming from the breath lives in us; on the other hand, “THA”, the mental force or consciousness, contemplates and controls the body made alive by the breath.

So the aim is to be fully present, with the awareness of all details, sensations and experiences that occur in the body. This is ‘body consciousness’, which involves all our senses: touch, sight, hearing; smell and taste can be part of it too.

Yoga asanas are different from other physical exercises. In most sports, there is an externalisation of energy, which results in a form of exhaustion; whereas there is an internalisation of energy in Yoga asanas. After a Yoga session one feels energised and calmer!