Practice
Asana
Āsanaआसन· AH-suh-nuhseat, posture
Asana means a yoga posture. Traditionally 'a steady, comfortable seat', it is the third limb of yoga and the physical practice most people begin with.
Patanjali defines asana as sthira-sukham — steady and comfortable. Over centuries the term expanded from seated meditation postures to the full range of standing, balancing, twisting and inverted poses practised today.
Frequently asked questions
- What does asana mean?
- It literally means 'seat' or 'posture'. In yoga it refers to the physical postures, which should be practised so they are both steady (sthira) and comfortable (sukha).
References
- Patanjali, Yoga Sutras 2.46 — sthira-sukham āsanam · Classical text — Defines asana as steady and comfortable.