Asana
These positions (asana) are part of the yoga system called Hatha-Yoga. This a system seemingly most accessible to Westerners, who unlike oriental people are less inclined to contemplation.
In every yoga system, the ultimate goal is to balance the energies of the whole being; to ensure harmony within and also with the universe.
The etymology of the word “Hatha” is extremely symbolic: “Ha” means “Sun”and “Tha” means “Moon”. The word “Yoga” means “Union”; therefore Hatha-Yoga is the union between the Sun and the Moon, that is, of the dual aspects of man.
The Sun, the positive energy, controls all the physical and vital functions; a person who is very “solar” is extroverted and more physical.
On the other hand the Moon controls all the mental functions, therefore a person who is very lunar is exceedingly dreamy, pacifist and introverted.
Hatha-Yoga is a technique for harmonising these functions and balancing the two types of energies; through body position and correct respiration.
What are the positions actually?
They are not “tormented”, bizarre, nor meaningless, as some believe. On the contrary, every position of the body has a precise purpose that has been very carefully researched. Nothing is random. The asana essentially represents the symbol in the physical plane of the beneficial energy of the Universe on a subtle plane. It is a genuine “formula” that has as its objectives:
- to perfectly maintain the physical body’s functions,
- to balance the pranic (subtle) energies that act directly on the physical body,
- to quieten the mind by focusing its attention on the practice of the position and;
- to exercise control of respiration (the main objective of the fourth stage in Yoga: Pranayama).
The yoga position implies both an internal and an external action, which intertwines in practice and forms a whole. The external action refers to the physical body, namely the muscles and joints, and the internal action is the prana that acts upon the chakras (subtle centres of force) and the nadi-s (energy channels) which constitute the pranic body.
The practice has shown that this circulated prana can lead to some amazing effects, even if the yogi is unaware of how the asana acts. Nevertheless, when the prana is directed consciously, the energization level is much more intense and the effect much more immediate and powerful than if the person is unaware.
There are two types of asanas:
A. dynamic
These asanas are very varied and sometimes quite difficult to practise. Their main goal is to keep the physical body fit and to balance the energies on all seven levels of the being.
B. static
Also called meditative positions, many are used in meditation. Their goal is to capture the cosmic energies through the chakras and to invigorate the being (especially at the physical and ethereal levels).
