The significance of the third limb - asana

Based on the ancient wisdom that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body, asana serves as one of the fundamental components of Raja yoga. Today, especially in the west, there’s a strong emphasis on the physicality of yoga to boost strength, flexibility and overall fitness. In contrast, the traditional perspective emphasises asana as a means of attaining stillness and mental peace - harnessing the body as a vehicle for spiritual evolution. In fact, the word ‘asana’ literally translates to ‘a seat.’

Drawing upon historical and spiritual perspectives, this post explores asana's significance within the broader context of yoga and spirituality.

Historical Perspective on Asanas

The roots of yoga asana can be traced back to the ancient Indian scriptures known as the Vedas, which date back over 3,000 years. The Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, contains hymns that express the Vedic people's reverence for the cosmic order and their desire for spiritual realisation. While these early texts did not explicitly outline yoga postures, they laid the groundwork for the philosophical and spiritual concepts that would later inform them.

The subsequent Upanishads introduced the concept of "asana" in a more formalised manner, mainly seated postures conducive for contemplation. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (PYS), compiled around the 2nd Century, stands as a classical text of Yoga, providing a comprehensive guide to achieving self-realisation. Chapter 2 outlines the "Eight Limbs of Yoga" ("Ashtanga"), which includes "asana" as the third limb. However, out of the 196 sutras, only 2 related to asana. No specific posture was mentioned. Instead, asanas encompassed the broader idea of finding a comfortable and steady seat for meditation (PYS 2.46: sthiram sukham asanam). According to Patanjali, a calm and positive disposition is the prerequisite to meditation, and asana is used to create this foundational state. These early references reflect the deep understanding of the interconnectedness between the body, mind, and spirit.

Spiritual Significance of Yoga Postures

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th CE) is the text that dives deep into postures, suggesting that a dedicated and mindful asana practice can facilitate self-discovery. It outlines 15 asanas in detail, designed to purify the body and awaken spiritual energy. While 8 of these are not seated asanas, Swatmarama emphasises Siddhasana, Padmasana, Simhasana, and Bhadrasana (all seated postures) as the most important, presumably to condition the practitioner for prolonged meditation. Like this, asana serves as a bridge between the external and internal limbs of ashtanga (8 fold path - see here).

Moreover, asanas are also seen as a way of achieving internal equipoise of the five elements in an individual — earth, water, fire, air and space — as per Samkhya philosophy. For example, standing poses like the warriors are thought to primarily enhance the earth element, since they work to strengthen the lower body regions around the mooladhara (root) chakra. Twists and backbends activate the fire element, by working primarily on the manipura chakra. Inversions, by sending blood to the central nervous system, are said to enhance the space element. As such, yogic postures can be used to balance the psychosomatic traits of an individual (that are said to be determined by one’s elemental constitution), which inevitably leads to enhanced spiritual wellbeing in the practitioner. 

Within the pranic (energetic) realm, asana can be used to purify the body by cleansing the nadis (energy channels through which prana should flow smoothly). Specific postures, with precise alignment, are prescribed to channel the flow of energy in specific ways e.g., Sarvangasana, a.k.a ‘Queen of Yoga Asanas’, is believed to arouse dormant energies of Kundalini, as well as open the throat chakra, the purification centre of the body. As such, yogic postures can work to unlock the latent spiritual potential within the practitioner. 

In yoga, asana plays a multifaceted role, with benefits extending far beyond the physical realm. It is a means of physical conditioning, a tool for energetic purification, a gateway to self-awareness and mental steadiness. If practised with the intention of evolution, one can find in asana a key to unlocking the full potential of the human experience.