We are getting into April and Spring is peaking! The bright skies and intermittent clouds are hallmarks of the season as the wind spreads pollen and lifts the wings of fledgling birds. As we embrace this revitalization of nature after a long cold winter, we look deeper into our hearts for ways to reawaken along with nature! Our Yoga practice brings us along the journey of awakening to our true essence, so what better time than spring to dive deeper and tie these themes together.
Last Week we finished our introduction to the first two of the Eight Limbs/Aids of Yoga as described in "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali '', The Yamas and the Niyamas. These are self-restraints and personal observances that the practiced yogi adheres to in pursuit of awakening to their essence nature. This week we move onto the third Limb/Aid, Asana.
What is Asana?
Now this may be what we're most familiar with as members of a yoga community, the physical practice! Everything we do on our mats, from standing in tadasana to lying down in savasana, is a part of the third limb of Yoga.
According to Patanjali, the physical practice of asana is meant to prepare the body to be comfortable in extended periods of seated meditation.
This makes sense, as the rest of Eight Limbs moving forward are usually performed in a seated posture. However, the benefits of the physical practice are so profound, that even in its modern adaptations, the practice of asana creates the space in the body for directed attention and activity.
So What Are The Benefits?
There are so many benefits to our physical practice!:
Increased Strength and Mobility,
Proprioception and Pain Reduction,
Balance and Discipline.
And that's just to name a few, which is why we at HOME YOGA encourage our members to try different classes and find consistency in their own ways. It's also a reason we offer challenges like last month's Matness Challenge. Asana is a big part of our yoga practice today, but in no way is it the only part, as we strive to be in our practice both on AND off the mat.