What are Asanas?
In over simplified terms they are the physical postures of yoga, they are a small part of what yoga is as a whole. There are believed to be around 84 main ‘basic’ asanas (shapes) and thousands of variations that have evolved from many movement types as well as the original ancient descriptions.
And I say over simplified, because Asanas are small in the same way that you and I are a small, minute part of the cosmos yet, in every way make up the cosmos, we hold and help diversify the whole cosmos.
Asanas are a gateway to the feeling practice and imbue the whole essence of yoga, if we give them the space to do so. In the West it is often the first introduction we have to Yoga, many get hooked and many argue it lacks the full spectrum of yoga and in a way I totally understand this stand point, there is so much richness to uncover, from the pranayamas, meditations, sacred texts, chanting, mudras, bandhas and the list goes on. However an asana practice can incorporate many of these. It can be a moving meditation and not ‘just’ a 60 minute class. And at the end of day this is a practice, nothing to perfect, simply showing up and noticing is all that is asked, your practice will change overtime. Furthermore, it is NOT meant to look the same on every body, or in every stage of life, and every time we meet the asana it will, somehow, in some minute way have changed from the previous time.
“Peace is as imminent as your focus”. In my experience there is no easy way to train the mind to focus, but also in my experience, there are more enjoyable ways than others, and movement is one.
“Peace is as imminent as your focus”
As discussed, Asanas have been oversimplified to mean the physical postures of yoga, this definition worked well for me for a long time but I have come to know the asanas as a diversification of life, meaning is allows me to drop in, to feel, to create space mentally and physically, to connect and notice more adding richness to my experience of life.
It has been the holding ground for many to find peace in the sticky embers of anger, or sadness or joy and through the movements I have come to know the peace that lies in the long unfolding moments between asanas, the glorious integration that follows and the substance it gives me throughout the next few moments until my mind wanders off again, but is cradled back in, through another breath, through another asana.
“Yoga teaches the way to joy is through joy”
The way into the body is through the body, the way to connection is through connection. There are some things we find, but peace and connection can only be remembered and asanas offer the space to return to this remembrance.
To summarise, the asanas are a doorway in and a celebration of the cosmos, even when we don’t feel it.
Now all of this is easier said than done, especially through the tough times in life, when potentially asana’s would be most beneficial but the hardest to show up for. So it’s important to remember it is a practice, one we can always return to. The mat does not care how long it’s been, or how long you practice for. And simply showing up is not always so simple, so take time to acknowledge yourself and your intention to practice, give credit where credit is due and I’m sure you are well over due.
Happy practicing.
