While many associate yoga primarily with physical postures (asanas), a deeper understanding reveals that yogasanas are just one limb of a much vaster system. To truly grasp the purpose and power of yogasanas, we must look to the ancient framework of Ashtanga Yoga, where Asana holds the third position among eight interconnected limbs.
Within this comprehensive system, yogasana, the third limb, takes on a profound significance that goes beyond mere flexibility or strength. A key aspect, particularly relevant for the practice of meditation (Dhyana), is the mastery of a single asana – the ability to sit in a chosen posture for extended periods without movement.
The Power of Stillness and the Subtle Body
The purpose of mastering such stillness is profound. Sitting in the same asana for a long time, without shifting, facilitates a unique internal cleansing. It is believed that this sustained posture automatically clears impurities and blockages within the body’s intricate network of nerves and knots.
It is in this sustained stillness that a fascinating phenomenon unfolds. While you remain outwardly motionless, the subtle body – the energetic matrix underlying the physical form – begins to perform its own spontaneous movements. The text suggests that this subtle body automatically undertakes various yogasanas and yoga mudras (symbolic gestures). This internal ‘dance’ is not arbitrary; it is a powerful process of purification, driving out inner impurities and ensuring the smooth flow of vital energy throughout the entire system.
Energy Blockages and Their Impact
This emphasis on smooth energy flow highlights a core yogic principle: wherever the vital life force (prana) is blocked, pain and disease manifest. Unexplained aches, chronic discomfort, or ailments in specific organs are often seen as indicators of energetic obstructions within the nerves (nadis) or energy centers (chakras). Pain without an apparent physical injury or illness in a specific organ can often be traced back to these energetic blockages.
Restoring the Flow: Two Paths
To rectify these blockages and ensure the unimpeded flow of prana, the path is clear, offering two primary approaches as outlined in the text. One is the dedicated practice of sitting in a stable meditation asana for extended durations daily, allowing the subtle internal cleansing to occur. The other is the practice of various dynamic yogasanas, which physically articulate and open the body, helping to loosen and remove blockages in the nerves and chakras. Both methods serve the essential purpose of allowing prana energy to flow easily.
When this vital energy flows freely throughout the system, it naturally leads to states of robust physical health and mental clarity. This physical and mental well-being is not the end goal, but a necessary foundation. Only by establishing this foundation can one truly progress on the path of spiritual growth.
Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete Framework
This interconnectedness of body, mind, energy, and spirit is beautifully encapsulated within the structure of Ashtanga Yoga. A deeper understanding of this eight-limbed path makes the practice of yoga not just easier to understand, but also more profound to adopt and integrate into life.
The eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, each distinct yet intricately connected, are:
- Yama: Ethical restraints or disciplines (e.g., non-violence, truthfulness)
- Niyama: Observances or positive duties (e.g., cleanliness, contentment)
- Asana: Physical postures
- Pranayama: Breath control techniques
- Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses
- Dharana: Concentration
- Dhyana: Meditation
- Samadhi: State of contemplative absorption or spiritual realization
In conclusion, while yogasanas are a vital component of yoga practice, their deepest purpose is revealed when understood as part of the holistic framework of Ashtanga Yoga. Whether through mastering a single posture for stillness or exploring a variety of poses, the goal is to clear internal blockages, ensure the smooth flow of energy, and pave the way for physical health, mental peace, and ultimately, spiritual realization. Understanding Ashtanga Yoga is key to unlocking the full potential of your yoga practice.
