Asana

Asana is the Sanskrit term for a yoga pose or physical posture. In Patanjali's classical eight-limbed yoga (Ashtanga), asana is the third limb — the physical practice that prepares the body for meditation by creating steadiness and ease.

Etymology

"Asana" comes from the Sanskrit root "as," meaning "to sit" or "to be present." The word originally referred to a seated meditation position before expanding to encompass the full range of physical poses practiced today.

Asana in the Eight Limbs

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras describe eight limbs (ashtanga) of yoga practice:

1. Yama (ethical restraints)
2. Niyama (personal observances)
3. Asana (physical postures)
4. Pranayama (breath control)
5. Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
6. Dharana (concentration)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (absorption/enlightenment)

Asana's position as the third limb indicates it is both foundational and preparatory — it creates the physical conditions (a healthy, stable body) that allow the deeper practices to unfold.

Modern Yoga's Asana Focus

Contemporary Western yoga practices are predominantly asana-focused, often with limited emphasis on the other seven limbs. This has led to debate within the yoga community about whether modern yoga is truly "yoga" by classical definitions or a primarily physical wellness practice that borrows yoga's terminology.

Types of Asanas

Yoga asanas are categorized by shape:

• Standing poses: Warriors, Triangle, Tree
• Seated poses: Forward folds, twists, hip openers
• Prone/supine poses: Backbends, Savasana
• Inversions: Headstand, Shoulderstand, Downward Dog
• Arm balances: Crow, Side Plank