Asana — yoga postures: meaning, types, history and uses
An overview of asana — the physical postures of yoga. Covers meaning, common categories, naming conventions, historical development, practical benefits, and safety considerations.
An asana is a body posture practiced within the system of yoga. The Sanskrit word often translates as "seat" or "pose," and classical guidance stresses that an asana should be both steady and comfortable. In modern practice the term covers a wide range of deliberate positions used alone or in sequences to influence strength, flexibility, balance and mental focus.
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Characteristics and common categories
Asanas are grouped by their physical orientation and purpose. Typical categories include standing poses, seated poses, supine (lying on the back) and prone (lying on the front) poses, forward bends, backbends, twists, balances and inversions. Each category can serve different functional aims — for example, standing poses often build alignment and leg strength, while backbends open the chest and spine.
- Tadasana (mountain) — foundational standing alignment
- Savasana — relaxation at the end of a practice
- Bhujangasana (cobra) — a common prone backbend; see example
- Inversions such as shirshasana (headstand) and shoulder stands
Names and linguistic notes
Most pose names end in -asana and are descriptive: they may refer to body parts, shapes, animals or objects. Many traditional names draw on the animal world — for instance, lion, fish, or cobra — which link a physical form to familiar imagery. Such animal-derived names are discussed further on a general page about animal-named poses: animal pose names.
Spelling varies in English transliteration (for example, bhujangasana vs. bhujaṅgāsana), and teachers may use short names in class. Although the labels help identify a posture, emphasis in practice is typically placed on breath, alignment and mindful attention rather than on nomenclature alone.
Historically, asana was one of the limbs of classical yoga described in ancient texts and later elaborated in Hatha yoga manuals. Modern physical yoga evolved significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries and was popularized worldwide by several teachers who systematized sequences and therapeutic applications.
Practically, asana practice is used to build muscular strength, joint mobility, postural awareness and balance, and to prepare the body for meditation. Many styles integrate breath regulation (pranayama) and safe alignment principles. Because some poses place stress on the spine, neck or joints, teachers recommend modifications, props and progressive training; people with health conditions should consult a qualified instructor or healthcare provider before attempting advanced postures.
In summary, asanas form the visible, physical layer of yoga practice: a collection of postures named in a long tradition, adapted across cultures, and applied today for fitness, therapeutic benefit and mental training.
History
According to some researchers and yoga masters, the Mohenjo-Daro Seal 420 is the oldest representation of an asana (the Mulabandhasana). Historical depictions of yoga postures from antiquity and the Middle Ages are still too little researched, so that no valid statements can be made. A well-known example is the large relief "Descent of the Ganga" in Mamallapuram (Tamil Nadu) from the 7th century; among other things, it shows a man in the Vrikshasana, a well known yoga posture.
In Patanjali's Yogasutra, the asanas form the third stage of ashtanga yoga. The text does not list individual asanas, but only says in general terms:
"sthira-sukham-āsanam"
"The sitting posture should be firm and comfortable."
- Patanjali: Yogasutra 2.46
This passage is usually interpreted as meaning that Patanjali meant any meditation seat. Vyasa (6th century), the first commentator of the Yogasutra, mentions ten asanas by name in verse 2.46 without describing them. The Gorakshashataka (10th century), the oldest Hathayoga scripture, mentions two asanas, the Yogayajnavalkya (13th century) describes eight, the Hathapradipika (14th century) 15 and the Gherandasamhita (17th century) 32 asanas.
Number of asanas
Medieval Hathayoga scriptures say that Shiva taught 8,400,000 asanas, one for each form of life. According to the Gherandasamhita, 84 of these are excellent; however, only 32 asanas are described as being useful to humans. The Hatharatnavali, written at about the same time, lists 84 asanas, most of which are described. In the 20th century the mystical number of 84 asanas was taken up by various schools. Bishnu Charan Ghosh, for example, taught 84 asanas, though there are considerable differences from the asanas listed in the Hatharatnavali. His student Tony Sanchez, founder of the U.S. Yoga Association, still teaches these 84 asanas today with only minor modifications. Bikram Choudhury, another student of B.C. Ghosh, shortened the sequence to 26 asanas in his Bikram Yoga.
The Mysore school, made famous by Tirumalai Krishnamacharya taught over 120 asanas. Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar, who emerged from this tradition, also taught a larger number of asanas.
Other modern traditions have systematized the asanas to a lesser extent and also do not specify the exact number of asanas taught.
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AlegsaOnline.com Asana — yoga postures: meaning, types, history and uses Leandro Alegsa
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