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Flexibility! Lean Body! Strength! Body Balance! Patience! Calmness!
All of the above are only Outcome of Yoga practices and Not Prerequisites!
I know the whole of social media is flooded with pictures of yoga gymnasts, making us invariably wonder and create this utter misconception of having a lean, flexible body first and then approach towards our yoga journey. We also see yoga practitioners and teachers always portraying a happy, smiling face in all their posts. Is it true that we are not supposed to be disappointed and disheartened, just because we're practicing some flexible postures? However, in reality, this is quite not the case! What we see up there in social media pages is a probable result of a regular practice of many years.
When should you start a Yoga Practice?
So is there no precondition to starting a yoga practice? Approaching it in a simple way, you only need 2 things to practice- a Yoga Mat and your eagerness to live a healthy life. Leave the rest to your teacher! Just show up everyday for your class and watch yourself transform to radiate the above qualities.
The practice of Yogas asanas paired with breathing techniques and mindfulness is so versatile that it doesn't need to know your weight, current lifestyle, state of mind, body shape, body strength but only that you'll be committed to your regular practice. Here let me bring your attention to the journey of one of the greatest teachers of Yoga in the modern times, B.K.S. Iyengar. Born in a poor family, he was a sickly child who suffered from tuberculosis, typhus, malaria and malnutrition. He had described himself once, "So frail was I that I was not expected to survive." Iyengar, under the guidance of his Guru, Sri T Krishnamacharya, later on not only spread the wisdom of Yoga across the globe but has been honoured with several recognitions worldwide. He died at the age of 95 and still remains as an idol for millions in the field of Yoga.
What is Asana?
In this context, it is important to touch base upon the meaning of Asana, which may clear a lot of misconceptions from our mind.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra: Chapter 2; Verse 46~
Sthira Sukham Asanam
Notation by Swami Vivekananda- "Now comes Asana, Posture. Until you can get a firm seat, you cannot practice the breathing and other exercises. The seat being firm means that you do not feel the body at all; then alone it has become firm."
Notation by B.K.S. Iyengar- "Asana brings steadiness, health and lightness of limb. A steady and pleasant posture produces mental equilibrium and prevents fickleness of mind. Asanas are not merely gymnastic exercises; they are postures."
Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Chapter 1; Verse 17~
Hathasya Prathamanga Tvad-Asanam Poorvamucchyate
Kuryat-Tad-Asanam Sthairyam-Arogyam Changalaghavam
Prior to everything, Asana is spoken of as the first part of Hatha Yoga. Having done Asana, one gets steadiness (firmness) of body and mind; disease-lessness and lightness (flexibility) of the limbs.
So it is very clear from the above the definitions of "Asana" that for practicing them, one does not need to have a lean, flexible body- these are the outcomes.
What Outcomes are expected from Asana Practice?
Asana practice has been prescribed in the yoga texts, to mainly prepare our body to be able to perform Pranayama and other complex practices. Therefore, the primary focus of Asana practice is to cleanse our body and extend the vital energy of the body to its every parts. It activates all muscles, organs and glands energising every cell of the body.
However, the impact of asana goes far beyond the body. The word "Sthira Sukham" denotes steady and pleasant, whereas these adjectives imply for the mind which is the most significant beneficiary of Asana. While in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, Yoga is defined as the Cessation of Movement of Mind, here Asana is often used as a very powerful tool to control the movement of mind.
In conclusion, Yoga is truly for everybody- irrespective of age, body type or lifestyle. If you think, you cannot perform a particular posture now, then please know that we teachers also have been in your place someday. All you need is your determination, the right guidance and a regular practice. In all aspect, Yoga brings empowerment to an individual driving the soul towards a higher realm of serenity.
Has this blog helped you to get better clarity on Yoga Asana?
Yes Definitely!
Need more clarity!