Asana (Hinduism, Yoga)

Practice of these physical exercices and postures may bring marked changes in the body and assist in making the body perfectly healthy and fit. Hatha yoga incorporates the formal practice of asanas, also raja yoga uses the technique as a means of eliminating disturbances in the physical body so that the yogi can forget it and place his full attention on eliminating disturbances of mind and achieving altered states of consciousness. Although there may be initial difficulty in maintaining the posture, with practice it may be maintained for considerable periods of time; an asana is said to be mastered when it can be maintained for three hours without strain. Of the theoretical 8,400,000 asanas there are 84 which are considered best and 32 said to be the most conducive to good health.

The particular posture usually associated with yoga is intended to make the body an instrument of self-elevation. The posture is assumed with an inner disposition that includes awareness and peace. The members of the body are united in an homogenous whole, awakening the individual to the intrinsic aliveness of the body, the first stage of directing consciousness inwards. In this posture, the spine is symbolically assimilated to the world axis.

The third component of the eightfold path of yoga.