Lesson 5 - The Asanas

The Asanas - the third step on the 8 step ladder
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The last two lessons looked at Yama and Niyamas , the first 2 branches of the 8 branched system of Yoga. They were concerned with how we live off our yoga mats.
 
The Asanas are the physical poses & postures within the system of yoga, that keep the body healthy and in a state of wellness. The physical practice of yoga that we do on our yoga mats.
 
‘The Asanas bring stability to the body and poise to the mind, […] freedom from disease and lightness to one’s very being’ Geeta Iyengar*
 
The asanas should be stable and joyful and practiced with the same discerning mentality as the Yamas and Niyamas.
 
There are many different styles of Asana practice, all of them use the umbrella term of Hatha yoga.
 
Iyengar Yoga, which is the method that I am trained in and teach, is a style of Hatha yoga. It is called Iyengar Yoga because it was developed and systemised by BKS Iyengar. This is due to its unique approach and lineage. **
 
Vinyasa Yoga (another form of Asana/Hatha yoga) is the name given to more flowing style that use the breath to flow fast through the moves - one school of this is Astanga-Vinyasa, which was created by Pattabhi Jois.
Interesting to note that Pattabnhi Jois trained alongside Iyengar with the same Yogi Master.
When they both left their yogi master, they each developed different systems of Yoga and shared them with the Western world in the 60’s.
 
There are many other style of asana practice too with their own lineage. ***

“By practising the asanas the body first gains health not mere existence […] Health is not a commodity that can be purchased, but an asset gained only by hard work, discipline and consistent commitment” Bks Iyengar
Yoga posits that our bodies are a temporary gift from the universe, and it's our responsibility to look after them. This is also true for our minds.
 
“ A yogi never neglects or mortifies the mind or body - a yogi cherishes
them both” Bks Iyengar
Some Key aspects of Iyengar yoga asanas:
 
Asanas provide both physical and physiological benefits - asanas exercise every muscle nerve and gland, and can be used as therapy for the treatment of a variety of physiological and anatomical issues.
 
Classes are sequenced in a very particular way to produce a certain affect on the bodies systems and structure and on the nervous systems.
 
Furthermore certain poses are to be avoided and adapted if mensturating, pregnant, or if you have certain illnesses like glaucoma or bulging vertebrae……… but everyone can practice yoga regardless of age or ability.
 
‘Yoga is for everybody and exclusive to nobody’
 
Your yoga practice should and will change as your needs and body changes throughout different phases of your life. Yoga embraces change.

*Quote from the book ‘Yoga, a Gem for women’ by Geeta Iyengar, BKS Iyengar’s
daughter
 
**The 2 classic Indian texts which codified this physical practice of yoga were Hathayoga pradipika and Patajalis yoga sutras, these form the basis for all Asana yoga styles and practices. Iyengar wrote a book light on yoga which laid out more than 200 postures in detailed description with photographs, this book is often called the yoga bible.
 
*** For more information on the life story of BKS Iyengar visit https:// iyengaryogalondon.co.uk/bks-iyengar-life-of-a-yoga-master/