Ahhhhh, we’ve finally come to Limb 3: Asana. AHHHHH-sana. (Did you see what I did there?)
Asana is the part of a yoga practice that we typically think of when we tell a friend, “OMG come to yoga with me!” We are usually talking about the physical practice of getting into poses and breathing as you flow from one pose to another.
The yogis regarded the body as the physical “home” of the mind and spirit. Thus, it was of utmost importance to keep the body as healthy as possible. Asana practice helps to purify and strengthen the body, so that the spirit has a healthy place to flourish. Asana practice also helps to build discipline and concentration through forcing us to focus on the breath during a physical challenge. For example, when you’re struggling in Warrior 2 and your arms feel like they’re on fire, you might concentrate even harder on your breath to help you hang on for a few more moments. As your discipline and concentration grow stronger over time, you become better equipped to withstand any physical intensity that may arise in (or outside of) Asana practice. Ultimately, all of these practices better prepare us for meditation.
It is important to recognize, however, that while Asana is a very important limb of yoga, it is no more (or less) important than any of the other 7 limbs. So, consider exploring the other limbs of yoga to make your practice more well-rounded.
Stay tuned for discussion of Limb 4 – Pranayama!
Namaste-
Jessica