Every Asana is a Meditation.

Introduction

Meditation is seen as an isolated, specialized practice by many and you will find people running from one Guru to the other to get the secret formula of meditation that will help them achieve Moksha.  An asana, erringly called an exercise, is believed to strengthen the body which is true.   This strength is required as yogis sit in meditation for hours and only a strong body can support such an endeavor.  Most practitioners of yogasanas see them as an exercise routine and are oblivious to the meditative aspect of an asana.  Let us understand this further.  Yoga is seen as a holistic practice which encompasses the body, mind, and spirit.  So, how can an important component of Yoga, i.e. the asanas, be seen as being separate from the meditative aspect of yoga?  Let us move forward and delve a little deeper to explore the essence of yogasanas.

Body-Mind Connection

 A sound mind lives in a sound body.

                                          -Thales of Miletus, 624 – 546 BC

 What Thales of Miletus realized somewhere in around 600 BC, the yogis of India have also known for more than 5000 years.  Yoga philosophy recognizes this inseparable connection between the body and mind.  Asanas are designed to bring balance and harmony to both aspects of our being.  When the body is stilled while performing an asana, we cultivate a deep sense of mindfulness by paying attention to breathing, the alignment of the body, and the sensations that we experience.  This focused awareness draws our attention away from other external and internal stimuli and focuses it on the present moment, similar to meditation.

The Breath as an Anchor

 

More often than not most gurus will start a novice’s journey of meditation with breath awareness which is an easy and effective way to help a new comer learn meditation.  Similarly, when practicing yogasanas, we focus our attention on the breath to cultivate mindfulness and concentration.  The synchronicity of the breadth with every movement is what creates a rhythmic flow that connects the body and the mind.  This helps us to attain a natural a state of focused awareness, a feeling of peace, harmony, contentment in that present moment, facilitating a meditative experience.

Finding Stillness in Movement

 

It is believed that to meditate one should be completely still, but yoga teaches us that one can find stillness within movement itself.   

स्थिरसुखम् आसनम् ॥२.४६॥

 

Chapter 2, verse 46 of the Patanjali yoga sutra’s explains being still and stable during an asana in the above sutra:  “Sthir Shukham Asanam”. Here “sthir” means stable, i.e. instilling stillness in the body and consequently the mind.  “Sukham” means ease of performance without jerks or being pushy.  So, one can explore the fluidity and grace of our bodies, while maintaining a sense of inner calm.

Thus, one should always approach yoga poses with a meditative mindset to find peace in the dynamic nature of our movements.

Getting rid of the Kliṣṭavṛtti/Aklistavrtti- painful and painless thoughts

 

The pressure of modern living has pushed our minds into hyperdrive.   Our minds have become a whirlpool of never-ending thoughts.  The below given verse from the Panjali Yoga Sutra states the goal of yoga is to clear the mind of these fluctuations/thoughts or vrittis:

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥१.२॥   “citta vrtti nirodah”, so “citta” is the mind, “vrttis” are the fluctuations, and “nirodh” is the act of getting rid of these vrttis or fluctuations.  Yogasanas help us to explore our bodies, become aware of the different sensations, and test our physical boundaries.  The heightened bodily awareness shifts our focus from the outer to the inner world.  This leads to a calmer mind.

Integration of Body, Mind, and Spirit

 

Meditation is regarded as a means of harmoniously integrating the body, mind, and spirit. Similarly, yogasanas practice offers the same.  The more we practice these asanas, the closer we are to attaining the goal of stillness of the body and the mind.  We begin to realize that the body and the mind are interconnected and one affects the other.  The body is the gross manifestation of us beings and the mind the subtle.   The asanas are the self exploratory vehicles leading us to a harmonious existence in body, mind, and spirit.

Conclusion

So to sum it all up, every yogasan is a meditation in itself.  Once the body achieves stillness through these postures, the breath becomes regulated, and as a result the “vrttis” or fluctutations of the mind start to even out leading to a heightened awareness and a harmonious integration of the body, mind, and spirit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Do I need to learn meditation separately if I practice yoga asanas?

A:  No, meditation is built-in within the practice of yogasanas.  During practice, when you focus on your breathing, become mindful of the present-moment, you are already in a meditative state.

Q:  Can beginners experience the meditative aspect of yogasanas?

A:  Yes, absolutely!  The meditative aspect of asanas is available to practitioners of all levels.  Beginners can start by focusing on their breath, observing bodily sensations, and being aware in that very moment.  As your practice advances you will become more aware of the meditative aspect of asanas.

Suggested Reading:

1. Transformative power of Guided Meditation/Yoga nidra for self development: https://www.marathonyogis.blog/2023/06/the-transformative-power-of-guided.html
2. Guided Meditation/yog nidra for weight loss: https://www.marathonyogis.blog/2023/07/mindful-meltdown-harnessing-power-of.html
3. How to Start Running: https://www.marathonyogis.blog/2023/05/how-to-start-running-beginners-guide.html
4. For weight loss use HIDE: Halving the intake and doubling the exercie: https://www.marathonyogis.blog/2023/07/the-weight-loss-equation-hide-halving.html
5. A leathal combination of running and yoga for weight loss: https://www.marathonyogis.blog/2020/04/weight-loss-with-runog.html