Asanas: Yoga Postures

Asana is defined as "posture;" its literal meaning is "seat." Originally, the asanas served as stable postures for prolonged meditation. More than just stretching, asanas open the energy channels, chakras and psychic centers of the body. Asanas purify and strengthen the body and control and focus the mind. Asana is one of the eight limbs of classical Yoga, which states that asana should be steady and comfortable, firm yet relaxed.

When holding a yoga posture, make sure you can breathe slowly and deeply, using Dirga or Ujjiayi Pranayama. Go to your edge in the posture, holding where you feel a good stretch and/or your body working, but don‚t feel pain, strain or fatigue. If you have not practiced yoga postures before, please read Our Yoga for Beginners guide this will give you the basic tips, guidelines and recommendations you will need to start a successful yoga practice.

Our "How to Start a Yoga Practice" guide will give you the 4 basic steps to starting a yoga practice.

1. Learn how to breathe:

The most important thing to do in yoga is to breathe, especially when holding the postures. Learn Dirga and Ujjayi Pranayama to use during yoga. Most importantly, breathe through the nose into the belly. Read our
Breathing in Asana article.

2. Start and end with a brief Meditation

Start in easy pose or accomplished pose with a short meditation to center yourself and bring your focus inside.

3. Use Basic and Beginning Postures

Start with our basic yoga pose sequences and/or these simple postures:
seated twist, cat, dog, down dog, child, cobra, mountain, triangle, forward bend. Then explore the Asana section for more.

4. End with Shavasana (Relaxation Pose)

Always end your yoga practice with Shavasana, resting and consciously relaxing your body for 5-15 minutes.

Tags: Asanas, Yoga Postures, yoga, Yoga Basics: Your guide to Asanas, the Yoga Postures and Poses, Yoga Postures Step By Step