Written by Aviva Tulasi
This week’s Lunchtime Learning on January 24th will explore Twisting and Shoelace Archetype (Extended Side Angle and Eagle). Sign Up In Person or Online.
January 31st’s Lunchtime Learning is Mountain and Chair Pose. Sign Up In Person or Online.
Nourish yourself with Candlelight Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra at a new time and location. Give yourself permission to let go Wednesdays at 6:30 pm at Stongegate Studio or Online.
For many people, myself included, their first exposure to yoga is the physical practice. Each person comes to a yoga class for a different reason so the type of physical practice they choose is likely different. But no matter what the form or style is, the physical practice of yoga is referred to as āsana.
sthirasukham āsanam स्थिरसुखम् आसनम्
Verse 2.46 of The Yoga Sutras of Pantajali (YS 2.46).
a stable (sthira) and comfortable (sukha) sitting posture (āsana)
The Sanskrit word āsana (आसन) translates as “seat”. This might be simplistic but Sanskrit infuses deeper meaning of words by exploring the imagery contained within its root words. Rama Jyoti Vernon uses the root words in āsana (as, san, and na) to explain the importance of āsana as breathing and Being or becoming One with the Eternal Cosmic Vibration.
“Motionless and agreeable form (of staying) is āsana.” YS 2.46 translated by Wisdomlib
Throughout time, āsana has been adapted and updated to meet the needs of the practitioner. The ancient yogis referred to āsana as how you sat during a long meditation. Ancient yogis experienced that sitting still for long periods of time could negatively impact their body so they developed a series of healing postures to combat stiffness, tension, lethargy and digestive issues. These healing postures turned into a series of yoga āsanas, or cultural poses that were preparatory practices for meditation. Yogis continually experience new ways of moving their body to discover new healing postures. Swami Swatmarama explains why we need yoga āsana verse 1.19 of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. “Yoga āsana first. It should be practiced for gaining steady posture, health and lightness of the body.” Translation by Pacham Sinh
Yoga āsana is the seat of our yoga practice because it integrates the physical, energetic and spiritual body. It offers a tangible tool to cultivate stillness through movement, breath regulation and concentration. It strengthens core muscles, promotes functional flexibility and allows energy to flow freely which in turn improves alertness and function of the entire body.
While doing yoga āsana, you learn more about yourself. All thoughts except focusing on how to be in the posture subside. Practicing yoga āsana is an opportunity to practice inaction in action. You learn to cultivate stillness and open yourself to the infinite potential while moving and pausing. You learn how to be free of judgment and start to let go of expectations. Yoga āsana allows you to be immersed in the present moment.
“Take any pose and be comfortable.” YS 2.46 translated by Rama Jyoti Vernon
Everyone’s body is different so their healing postures will be different. The only qualification for something to be classified as a yoga āsana is that the posture needs to be held steady and comfortably. This means that there should not be strain nor pain when you are practicing yoga āsana.
What your comfortable posture looks like depends on your experience, body structure and medical history. Your comfortable steady position will look different from someone else’s and it might not be completely still. No matter what the posture is, it is perfect.
“It is through relaxation of effort and meditation upon the infinite that āsana is perfected.” YS 2.46 translated by Wisdomlib
“Success cannot be attained by adopting a particular dress. It cannot be gained by telling tales. Practice alone is the means to success. This is true, there is no doubt.” Swami Swatmarama, Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.68 Translation by Pacham Sinh
Dogwood Studio is here to help you practice and find your healing posture variation. Join us for a group yoga class or reach out to schedule a private session.
Email info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com with questions. We are here to help!
Aviva Tulasi is a certified yoga therapist (CIAYT) and studio coordinator at Dogwood Studios. Aviva applies the teachings of classical yoga (movement, focused breathing & meditation) to nourish the nervous system. Aviva’s classes empower students to explore their thought habits in order to promote greater wellbeing both on and off the mat.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.
