8 Limbs of Yoga - Asana

The third of the 8 Limbs of Yoga is Asana, which many folks view as Yoga, but as you have (and will continue to) read through this series, it is simply an aspect of the practice of Yoga. In fact, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which lays out the 8 Limbs of Yoga addresses Asana only in Sutras 2.46 & 2.47, and defines Asana as a stable posture, one of ease, being in a supported space in the body. So, how do all the “yoga moves” fit into this definition?

A few years ago, when teaching a yoga class to middle schoolers, I shared that the practice of Yoga (specifically for them the practice of Asana, the postures) gives us the opportunity to make friends – of course, we get to meet, know and practice with a variety of other humans (a concept many 6th, 7th and 8th graders resonate with), but where I was really leading them was the opportunity to make friends with the body and the mind.

Padma encourages us to make our yoga mat a science lab by observing the ways we approach Asana – the postures, the physical practice of Yoga. In the awareness of our approach, we broaden our awareness to patterns that show up out in the wild, off our yoga mat. There are times I notice that I just want to get into the known form of a posture (alignment-schmignment!), when I would rather re-do my ponytail than another mini vinyasa, when I plan my grocery list instead of name my breath – I could go on...

These patterns of destination-addiction, avoidance and lack of presence are not unknown in my daily life! When I am willing to be aware of them on the mat, to allow/to accept them – cultivate compassion, and to move forward mindfully, I develop a greater capacity to catch the patterns (aware/accept – wash, rinse, repeat) and to shift to a more mindful approach to whatever is needed in the moment.

According to Ayurveda, we are composed of three bodies (and you thought ONE was a lot to keep up with?! IKR?!) – the manifested physical body, the subtle body of energy & emotion and the causal body of thought. All three support the practice of Asana and all three benefit from the practice of Asana. It is the physical body that is the inFORMer – and that’s often the one that first brings us to the mat. Through this process, this quote from Elbert Hubbard comes to mind - Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.”
The first two of the 8 Limbs of Yoga, the Yamas and Niyamas, are the supportive foundation in shifting to a more friendly approach to the body and the mind! With a history of judging my body’s appearance and doubting its abilities (i.e.athleticism), I hadn’t invested much in cultivating a friendship with it prior to practicing Yoga.

Understanding Ahimsa (compassion) and through the practice of playing my edge through staging, I am developing greater understanding of, confidence in, and an enjoyment of my body. Learning to build from the ground up and follow lines of energy to focal points while maintaining a smooth full breath has reinforced Saucha (orderliness – in both body AND mind). And learning to surrender the results of my efforts has arisen through Ishvara Pranidhana.

All of these practices and benefits in Asana have 100% been LIFE/PERSPECTIVE CHANGERS, but my most FAVORITE benefit from the practice of Asana is the Curiosity (Adbuta) I now have about my physical body, which along with my background in biology, led me to the incredible opportunity to teach Functional Anatomy at Rasa Yoga and get pretty happily geeked out planning for teaching Asana classes.

So friends (friends of each other and friends of ourselves), join me on the mat for the practice of Asana – all the different orientations of the body, leading to the opening to a more expansive approach and awareness of yourself…and so much more as Asana gives us access to Prana (life force) which gives us access to the mind which gives us access to Consciousness, and then, what is possible???

Warmly,

SriDevi Praneeth 🥋 Ande Smith

Black Belt Circle of Rasa Yoga