Asana and Pranayama
Fifteen minute presentation
Five minute questionnaire and feedback
Class Handout
Mounamurti
Asana
• Asana: Asana practice is a component of Classical
Hatha Yoga and also Raja Yoga. In the Raja Yoga
system, asana refers to the sitting meditative posture
only, but in Hatha Yoga it means something more.
• Asana is a specific body position, which helps to open
the energy channels (nadis) and can even have a mild
influence on the psychic energy centers known as the
chakras.
• Asanas initiate a process through which purification
and control of the body takes place by restructuring the
pranic flow.
• Foremost important Asanas are: Siddhasana or
Siddha Yoni Asana (Adepts pose) and Padmasana
(Lotus pose)
• Additional asanas up to 82 or more are also
recommended
• The Classical Ancient Hatha Yoga Texts are:
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gherand Samhita,
Hathratnavali, Shiva Satarka.
• A great contempory Classical Hatha Yoga Text is:
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda
Saraswati.
Pranayama
• Pranayama: Classically Pranayama is commenced after
ones body has been prepared through Asana and one
has commenced to moderate and purify the diet.
• Prana is a force in constant motion. Prana is the vital
life force and pranayama is the process by which the
internal pranic store is increased or expanded.
Pranayama is comprised by the words prana and ayama,
which means” pranic capacity or length”.
• Pranayama is a technique through which the quantity of
prana in the body is activated to a higher frequency or
rate of vibration.
Conclusion
•Asana and pranayama practice are integral
components of a good yoga session or class.
•These components of a Yoga class offer almost
an endless challenge for the student especially
pranayama
•5 Minute Quiz, feedback and handout
References
• Saraswati, Swami Muktibodhananda & Swami Satyananda: Commentary of
Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Yogi Swatmarama,
Bihar School of Yoga
Munger, Bihar, India, 1985
• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda
Kundalini Tantra
Bihar School of Yoga,
Munger, Bihar, India, 1984
• Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda
Prana Pranayama Pranavidya
Bihar School of Yoga
Munger, Bihar, India, 1994
• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha
Bihar School of Yoga,
Munger, Bihar, India, 1966