Asana - The Third Limb of Yoga

-
A few yoga postures.

1. Plank Pose 

2. Extended Side Stretch (Utthita Parsvakonasana) 

3. Modified Extended Side Stretch (Utthita Parsvakonasana) 

4. Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)




Patanjali's Yoga Sutras talk about: "Sthira sukham asanam," meaning that asana should be both firm as well as comfortable.   The yoga postures also have a drishti, or point of focus for the eyes, in order to encourage the meditative state in the posture and to deepen the meaning and effect of the posture on all levels.


Popular posts from this blog

Meditation and It's Benefits

-
Image
Simple techniques for meditation include: i. meditation on the breath ii. meditation on a visualized or actual object such as an area of the body for healing, the chakras within the body, a deity, mandala, candle, yantra, or a quality such as compassion, and/or iii. the repetition of a mantra , (a sacred sound), which can be with the use of a mala , or prayer beads. Don't Worry About "Achieving" the Meditative State - This Occurs Naturally After Some Time Once you are well on your way in your yoga practice and healthy in body and approach you may be able to sit still and focus your awareness on a single point. This, according to the Yoga sutras of Patanjali, will lead you spontaneously into meditation. So it is actually concentration that we sit down to practice, i.e. the continuous focus on a specific point, not meditation. Meditation is the stage that follows it. Some Benefits of Meditation Meditation offers a chance to bring our attention to our rich inner and ...
Read more

Yoga: Art, Science and Harmony

-
Image
Yoga is an art as well as a science with many different forms and styles. It is a beautiful way to find harmony, courage and self knowledge and also to explore our relationship with others and with our world. The following chant expresses yogic compassion for others:  "Lokah samasthah sukhino bhavantu," or " May all beings everywhere find happiness and freedom".
Read more

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

-
Image
1. Universal laws of Nature (Yama) - non violence, truthfulness, integrity, divine conduct, and non attachment - “When we are established in non attachment, the nature & purpose of existence is understood." 2. How to Live in Harmony (Niyama) - simplicity, contentment, purification, refinement,  and surrender to the Divine - "From contentment, unsurpassed happiness is gained." 3. Postures (Asana) - "The physical postures should be steady and comfortable." 4. Breathing Exercises (Pranayama) - "Next come the breathing exercises, which increase the life energy." 5. Mastery of the Senses (Pratyahara) - "Once senses naturally withdraw inwards, mastery follows." 6. Concentration (Dharana) - "Dharana is when the attention is held focused on an object." 7. Meditation (Dhyana) - "Dhyana is when awareness flows evenly toward the point of attention." See more on the mind . 8. Enlightenment (Samadhi) -...
Read more