When most people think of yoga, they imagine a series of physical postures—flowing from Downward Dog to Warrior II and into Tree Pose. These postures are known as asanas, and while they’ve become the face of modern yoga, they’re actually just one piece of a much larger system.
Asana is the third limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. It is described in the ancient text The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Originally, the word asana simply meant “seat”—referring to a comfortable, steady position for meditation. Over time, it evolved into the dynamic practice of physical postures we see today.
But asana isn’t just about flexibility or strength. At its core, it’s about cultivating awareness in the body. Each posture is a tool for stillness, discipline, and connection between the mind, body, and breath. Practicing asanas regularly helps prepare the body for deeper practices like pranayama (breath control). It also aids in dhyana (meditation) by releasing physical tension and creating a sense of inner stability.
In a world obsessed with fast results and aesthetic perfection, it’s easy to reduce yoga to a fitness trend. But asana, when practiced with intention, can be a powerful path to self-inquiry, healing, and presence.
It’s not about touching your toes—it’s about what you learn on the way down.
myYoga | Vashistha 