When the topic of Yoga comes up, most people immediately think about the poses. However, this is really only the tip of the iceberg, as yoga is far more than elaborate poses.
This is the third part in a series of eight articles about what “Ashtanga” really means, as derived from Patanjali’s ancient text of wisdom called the Yoga Sutras.
(Asht = Eight, Tanga = Limbs. Not to be confused with Ashtanga Yoga, a practice founded by yoga guru Pattabhi Jois.)
By Sherri Melwani
Yoga is an expansive science and philosophy that covers all aspects of life; and the poses make up a vital piece of the holistic practice of yoga as they bring enhanced physical and mental health that leads to peace and ultimately self-realization.
I remember one of my first teachers guiding us into the tree pose. She suggested that rather than “doing” the tree pose, we should “be” the tree pose. And I found that a magical thing happens when we connect to the consciousness of the pose. We transcend the physical, enhance our mental abilities and deepen our spiritual connection with all of nature. By being a tree, we are reminded of steadiness, patience and cultivating strength through deep roots. We tap into the collective consciousness of nature and integrate that support into our practice.
Poses can also be defined as ‘spiritual shapes’, as they hold higher purpose, and with grace and alignment, carry a steady flow of energy, or prana, through our mind, body and spirit. When we practice our postures with a meditative focus, we enhance our own consciousness, which in turn affects how we feel. For example, when we walk with our shoulders back and head up high, we feel vibrant, confident and alert. However, when we slouch, we are likely to feel tired and drained.
Read Niyama, The Second Limb of Ashtanga
How we practice the Asanas affect our life in three ways: Physical, Mental and Spiritual, all interdependent on the other.
Physical Benefits
Sthiram Sukham Asana: A posture (asana) should be stable (sthiram) and comfortable (sukham) – Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra
The state of the body affects the state of mind, or vice versa. Your experience of this life is a projection of how your mind perceives it. If the body is sick, not rested and filled with disease, then the mind’s perception of life will be tainted. If your mind is not at ease, it often manifests into an ache or a pain in the body. So we put in dedicated effort to bring radiant health to the physical body, as we know keeping to our practice will make us feel better. We elongate and strengthen the muscles. We hold poses for a long time to bring good health to our bones and joints which increases prana (energy) flow. This increase of prana leads to a perfect balance between feeling energized and calm, which improves our quality of life as a whole. Through steady practice, our bodies become more efficient at assimilating oxygen and food. Our immune system, too, becomes stronger.
In every pose we seek a balance of Sthiram (steadiness, stability) and Sukham (ease and comfort). So, be it the easiest or most challenging of asanas, if we can find ease andand stability in every pose, we will eventually find that every pose, on and off the mat, is an opportunity to meditate. While exploring the poses, we will find our own strategies based on our personal conditions to achieve this specific state of balance. Even our facial expressions affect the quality of our poses and reflect our inner experience. The body is able to rest more effectively when it has adequate exercise and flow of oxygen to the blood and the brain.
Mental Benefits
“A steady Body equals a steady Mind” – Swami Sivananda
You may have noticed already in your practice that yoga brings many benefits beyond the physical. The physical poses affect the meridians, organs and glands in a way that stimulates the movement of prana and the release of emotional and mental blockages. This is why one often feels a sense of overall well-being following a yoga practice. This release can sometimes be experienced during certain poses, such as the pigeon pose, where often feelings of anger and frustration emerge. Emotions live in the body, and by practicing the asanas, we help to release such negative emotions.
Asanas brings vitality and strength which result in the increase of serotonin and dopamine (happy hormones) in the brain. Many people initially come to a yoga class to heal and improve their flexibility and fitness. Gradually, they begin to notice additional benefits to the mind. As a teacher, I have witnessed many students evolving their practice into something more holistic. After only a week or two of steady practice, students begin to notice how the practice affects their mind in a positive way. They feel calmer and develop a higher threshold for tolerating challenges and discomfort (both on and off the mat), where previously they would have retreated from such challenges or avoided it altogether.
Spiritual Benefits
In our fast-paced modern lives, we often find ourselves quite disconnected from nature, which can create dis-ease. Nature is a portal for spiritual connection. The symbolism of nature, held in the asana practice, awakens deep connection and serves as a reminder of the Earth and its beings, and thus increases our respect and compassion for life. By “being” the pose, instead of just “doing” the pose, the body automatically aligns itself from the inside. Embodying a pose is far more effective for personal transformation, as it becomes a living pose filled with consciousness and wisdom from that which it is named.
In The Inner Life of Asanas, Swami Lalitananda, a long time yogini and spiritual guru, speaks of the higher power of the asanas, “It is about the spirit of the pose rather than the technique that is emphasized.” Referring to Hatha yoga as an inward journey, she describes the practice as a way to develop spiritually through its carefully designed poses—and not about perfecting the pose or getting a yoga-body.
Therefore, through steady consistent practice of the asanas, we can cultivate a radiantly healthy body, mind and spirit. The ability to find “sthiram sukham” in every pose allows every yoga practitioner to become receptive to the higher realms of spirituality.
Be sensitive to the vibrations of the pose while you embody your poses. The next time your teacher instructs you into the Eagle pose, consider the consciousness of the eagle (an expansive perspective of life, grace and elegance) and see yourself taking on such attributes into your life. This is how you can “live” your yoga.
READ Pranayama, The Fourth Limb of Ashtanga
Sherri Melwani is a yoga teacher who teaches in Asia and Europe.
