YOGA ASANA (Yoga in Heston)

28 Jan YOGA ASANA (Yoga in Heston)

Traditionally in yoga the term asana refers both to the place in which we sit and the posture we sit in. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines “asana” as “to be seated in a position that is firm, but relaxed”. Patanjali mentions the ability to sit for extended periods as one of the eight limbs of his system.

Asanas are also performed as physical exercise where they are often referred to as “yoga postures” or “yoga positions”. Asanas are often  performed for health purposes as they promote good health, although in different ways compared to physical exercises by placing your body in positions that help you cultivate awareness, relaxation and concentration.

Sefali emphasises Surya Namaskara for beginners. Surya Namaskara practice links together twelve asanas in a dynamically expressed series.

Sefali covers this in great detail in each class and she checks students for any dysfunction in their body that may make any part of the sequence unsuitable for them at this moment in time.

Pranayama or breathwork also plays an important part when performing this sequence. Sefali incorporates rhythmic breathing to the sequence to create a powerful all round effect.

Each repetition of the sequence is carefully synchronised with the breath. This teaches us to breath calmly and keep the parasympathetic nervous system engaged even when stressed and in mildly uncomfortable positions. The parasympathetic system is also referred to as “rest and digest” as opposed to the “fight or flight” of the sympathetic nervous system.

The practical proven benefits of practicing asana are to:

• improve flexibility
• improve strength
• improve balance
• reduce stress and anxiety
• reduce symptoms of lower back pain
• be beneficial for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• increase energy and decrease fatigue
• shorten labour and improve birth outcomes
• improve physical health and quality of life measures in the elderly
• improve diabetes management
• reduce sleep disturbances
• reduce hypertension
• improve blood circulation
• reduce weight