ASANA: Physical Position; literal: Seat
Asana is the third limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, it is important because it helps to keep the physical body healthy and strong. Since the body is the vessel for our spirit and soul, looking after the physical body is vital for spiritual development. Although today Asana is the aspect of yoga that everyone recognizes, it is actually only a small part of the tradition of yoga as a whole.
Asana is traditionally defined as the seated posture used for meditation; a Sanskrit word meaning “seat” and defined as pose or posture. Asana is commonly the suffix to physical yoga postures: e.g. Navasana (boat posture), Uttanasana (intense stretch posture), and Paschimottanasana (intense stretching back of the body posture) just to name a few.
The main purpose of Asana is to prepare the body to sit for meditation and time with God.
Yoga is a spiritual practice used by different religions to draw a person near to God. Asana was incorporated into this practice for the purpose of being able to sit in meditation for a longer period of time – to be able to seek God without becoming uncomfortable. Our body must be strong to be able to do this or we will be overcome by aches and pains making concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana) difficult.
Physical Intellectual Connection
The body and soul are connected through the brain. The soul is described as our mind, our will, and our emotions. Our soul uses our physical brain to process thoughts concerning our will and our emotions which guide our actions. Body, Mind, Soul, Spirit; it’s all connected.
We are so connected to our body because we not only use it to “do” but to “think”. The body is a very strong player in our lives; it is the vessel we use to physically move about and it is the vessel we use to process intellect.
INTELLECT: noun The power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills; the understanding; the faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge.
Dictionary.com
It is important for us to know that we are not our bodies, we are spiritual beings living inside our body. We need our bodies to function in every aspect of our daily lives, including our minds–our intellectual selves. The discipline of Asana is the practice of physical self-control and it will ultimately strengthen our overall resolve so that our spirit and soul will learn to control the body and not vice versa. The goal is to stop the body from influencing our thoughts and our actions. Our body often becomes our identity instead of an amazing tool to be used to do good and glorify God.
So how does the body control us?
Asana works in conjunction with the 5th Limb of yoga, Pratyahara, control of the five senses: taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight. If we don’t discipline the body then we are controlled by it; our senses and our inner life become chaotic and out of control with unhealthy habits.
For example, if taste and smell have control over me then I can not stop eating that which is not good for me and as a result, I may be slowly destroying my body. If touch is controlling me then I may struggle with substance abuse issues overusing drugs or alcohol, and needing to feel a certain way to function. If I am controlled by what I see I might become addicted to shopping, or pornography, or always desiring what others have. If I don’t control what I hear, then I will be affected by the negative words of others such as demeaning lyrics, verbal abuse, lies, and gossip; I will be allowing these things to speak into my spirit and my soul.
The body profoundly influences the function of the mind and intellect.
A strong healthy body contributes to a strong healthy mind.
Asana practice doesn’t just increase flexibility and strength, but it also stimulates the physiological systems of the body, such as the circulatory, immune, digestive, and nervous systems. It has been proven to help heal the body of physical ailments with its precise movements twisting and massaging our spine, ligaments, and organs; keeping all the systems of the body strong, mobile, and in operation. These health benefits not only clear the mind for intellectual thinking but also release the mind from negative thinking allowing us to better process our desires and emotions.
The truth is, without control over our physical bodies we cannot be “transformed by the renewing of our mind” or “present our bodies as a living sacrifice; holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1-2). We can only do this if we learn to discipline our bodies as well as care for them in a way that shows our appreciation and love for God.
At Spirit Body Yoga we believe that a STRONG SPIRIT and a STRONG BODY lead a person to a VICTORIOUS LIFE. We must discipline our bodies so our spirits can grow, and our souls can make right decisions, as a result, we will behave in a way that connects us (yoga) with God.
I discipline my body and make it my slave so . . . I myself will not be disqualified.
– 1 Corinthians 9:27
The Beauty of Asana
Finally, I can’t leave without writing about the beauty of the physical practice of asana. Where so many of the postures are postures of prayer and praise. Where else can you “exercise” in such a way as to pray, worship, and meditate all the while? Where the focus is on that which is spiritual and not superficial? Where the sole purpose is to be able to sit with God for longer periods to hear His magnificent voice?
With ASANA, I’m caring for my body because it is a gift from God, not because it is WHO I am. As a Christian, my identity and my victory are in Jesus and my body is a gifted vessel that I’ve invited His Spirit to come and live in.
Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you. . . therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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