YOGA ASANA

YOGA ASANA

All forms of yoga use Asana as a part of their practice, even if the Asana is as simple as sitting
in a comfortable meditative posture. One of the main reasons why Kundalini Yoga works so fast
and effectively is its use of angles in its Asanas; this is one of the “secrets” of its success.
Lifting the legs to different heights creates pressure on specific glands and organs depending
upon the angle of the lift. Pressuring the glands causes them to secrete. When the pressure is
released and the body is held motionless, the glandular secretions that have been stimulated have
an opportunity to circulate freely throughout the body. The result is a balanced glandular system
which has a definite effect on your emotional stability through the chemistry of your body.
The key idea within an Asana is that all parts of the body are well-balanced, comfortable and
aligned. In certain deep meditations your consciousness may alter to the degree that you
temporarily lose normal body awareness. In that case, the posture must be balanced in such a
way that it is easy for the body to hold the Asana without conscious effort. If you are
imbalanced then your muscles may jerk or spasm to adjust for the imbalance. That little spasm
can cause a negative response in the body so make sure that you are well-balanced and
comfortable in the Asana, if not, ask your instructor for assistance.
Some Guidelines for Asana
1. Sit on a surface that’s not too cold or too hard.
2. Use a sheepskin or a mat for support. A sheepskin or other natural fiber such as wool,
cotton or silk provides an electro-magnetic insulation from the ground.
3. Wear comfortable clothes made of natural fibers such as sweats.
4. If you must eat before class only eat something light like a piece of fruit and avoid eating
anything heavy two hours before class.
5. Take your socks off. Our feet have approximately 72,000 nerve endings in them. When we
allow our feet to breath we allow our nervous system the chance to connect with the energy
surrounding us.
6. While pregnant or menstruating ask your instructor for a variation when the asana
stimulates the navel center or calls for an inverted pose.