Asana

Hatha Yoga (pronounced, “Hahtha”) is the Yoga of activity; a force, power or determined effort. It refers to the energetic aspect of yoga and gives first attention to the physical body. Ha: Sun, and Tha: Moon are combined to symbolize the dualities of energy such as active/passive, positive/negative, masculine/feminine. It is a union of the pairs of opposites as symbolized in its name.

Asana (pronounced “Ahsuhnuh”) means pose, posture, or position. Originally it meant the place, material or seat upon which the yogi sat to meditate. It also meant "to sit" or "to be seated" in order to create poise, equanimity, and stillness.

There is the active/expanding aspect of vital energy and the fasting/contracting principle. These principles are most evident in the process of breath, and reside in all postures and in the breath itself. These aspects are carried forth through the entire structure of a yoga practice in the form of pose/counter pose.

There are two qualities which must be present in the process of performing an asana: Sthira - steady, firm, alert, and Sukha - comfortable, with ease and pleasure. The Yoga Sutras explain, “Sthirasukkasana: Asana is a steady and comfortable position.”

Asanas are executed in or from seven positions: standing, sitting, supine (on the back), prone (lying face down), kneeling, inverted (upside down), and supported. Within this framework the spine moves through its full range of motion: forward bends (forward flexion), backward bends (hyperextension), rotations, and side bends (lateral flexion). In Yoga, the entire back, or posterior of the body is considered the western part of the body. The front, or anterior, is the eastern part of the body. The crown is north and the soles of the feet are south.

Some of the most common asanas are Downward Facing Dog, Tree, Mountain, Dancer, Staff, Lotus, Triangle, Warrior, Pigeon, Child, Rabbit, Lion, Camel, Bridge, Fish, Cobra, Handstand, Plow, Frog, Crow, Crane, Peacock, Swan, Shoulderstand, Scorpian, Rooster, Wheel, Yoga Mudra, Flying Insect, Forward Bend, Head to Knee, Five Pointed Star, Upward Boat, Baby Krishna, Cat Stretch, Inclined Plane, Half Spinal Twist, Two Legged Platform, Standing Half Moon, Balancing Half Moon and a series of postures called Sun Salutation or Salutation to the Sun. In the lexicon of hatha yoga there are 840,000 poses!

The aim of Hatha Yoga is not to conquer the body, but rather to develop and to extend its consciousness. There should be no struggle to acquire or to subdue, only to draw out, to extend and develop. This is done primarily through releasing the muscles and connective tissues using the breath. Breathing ignites energy in the inhalation and dispels and discards tension and toxins on the exhalation, aligning and strengthening the body. Through the process of aligning the body, the mind also is aligned. Hence the importance of correct physiological alignment, placement, or posture.