Asana

Sthirasukhama’sana - the position in which one is comfortable, having physical comfort and mental composure, is called A’sana.

In A’sanas glands, nerves, tissues, muscles and all portions of the body get operated.

We find in nature, creatures and animals possessing glands nerves, muscles and tissues having specific qualities.

Their glands secrete differently. As a consequence, each one of them has a different character of Svabhava.

For example, locusts:

• have immense group feeling
• perform all actions collectively

If man imbibes the qualities possessed by the different glands of the locust, by some process, they will also be able to inculcate some of habits of locust.

On this basis, the Shalabhasana Asana was invented in which the posture of the body resembles that of a locust.

• Shalabha’ means Locust.

Visualizing different habits in different animals, ancient Rsis invented several Asanas.

Later on, many more Asanas were made to affect the different glands of the body.

For example, Matsyendra Natha, a prince of Bengal, made an A’sana, which would affect the whole body, and the A’sana has been named after him as Matsyendra’sana.

The A’sana in which Viira’ca’rii Sa’dhaka used to sit in Shava-Sa’-dhana’ in the burial ground has been named as Viira’sana. The A’sana in which head is kept downwards, is known as Shiirs’a’sana. We do not approve this A’sana since it causes an increase in the blood pressure and control of the temper is lost. This A’sana keeps the hair black, but the blackness will not remain if the A’sana is left.

Everything has merits and demerits both. You must know them. You must follow the rules of A’sanas, as mentioned in Carya’carya part III

In Supplement to Carya’carya part 3

Vya’paka Shaoca: Root of the penis, and 3 joints of the trunk connected with 2 hands and feet should be kept cool.

By your system of bathing keep the body cool, and calm, and enable it to be operated as you please. The lower portion of the body should be supported tightly, because if this lower portion of your body e.g. penis and testicles are loose, there is a chance of their veins being adversely affected, and also of hydrocele.

Tamasika food strengthens the lower Cakras Muladhara and Svadhisthana) which are also Ta’masika in character, Ra’jasika food will strengthen navel-Cakra, increase energy in the body, but the upper Cakras (Ana’hata and Vishuddha)will not be developed. As such, Sa’ttvika food is prescribed for those who practise A’sanas. Ra’jasika food should also be avoided in the night. Those who have not got strict control over their food, should take myrobalan in the night, if they have taken Ra’jasika food. But the amount of myrobalan must not be more than 1/4 of one myrobalan, in a day. Myrobalan must not be taken by those who are suffering from ulcer, and by ladies having menses. Myrobalan, if taken more, affects the power of procreation. Massaging, after A’sanas helps in the proper distribution of hormones secreted by the A’sanas. Suppose at times (not generally) some vital elements of the body also come out with the sweat, massaging will enable their absorption as well.

When the temperature outside the room where you were doing A’sanas happens to be much different than the room, inhale before coming out, so that it takes sometime in inhaling again, when you are outside, after exhaling the breath you had taken within the room, and during this short span of time, your body will have adjusted with the outside atmosphere.

A’sanas are of two categories - Sva’sthya’sana and Dhya’na’sana. Sva’sthya’sana is good for health, may or may not be good for the mind but not harmful for the latter. Dhya’na’sana is good for mind, may or may not be good for physical health but not harmful for the latter.

1-A. In Sarva’unga’sana, the endeavour to remain in the posture continues. This being the characteristic of Mudra’, and not of A’sana (which means Sthira Sukham), some people call it as Vipariitakarn’ii Mudra’, since the uppermost Cakra (Sahasra’ra) lies at the lowest place and the lowermost Cakra (Mu’la’dha’ra) at the uppermost, when you are in the posture of the A’sana, and most of the Cakras are also in a position opposite to what they are in normal condition. During the posture of this A’sana, the higher Cakras get rest.

Sahasra’ra, pituitary and thyroid invigorates the Cakras lower to them through secretions, while Mu’la’dha’ra invigorates none. During the period of this A’sana, Sahasra’ra, being at the lowest place, has to invigorate none, and gets rest, similarly other Cakras find some rest. Of course Mu’la’dha’ra gets more activated, but normally it is always at the lowest position. Provision of comparative rest to most of the glands in hormone-secretion, enables the body-machine to have some rest. As such, this A’sana has been said as Sarvarogahara (that which cures all diseases). It also helps in increasing longevity.

At times you may feel some pain in Mu’la’dha’ra, Svadhisthana and Man’ipura, since their positions were reversed. This will be relieved in Shava’sana. After the age of 60, there is some change in blood pressure, and so those who get high blood pressure, must not do this. But below 60 years of age, one can do it, even if there is some change in the blood pressure.

If the amount of salt taken is lessened, this A’sana will give better results. But it does not mean that one should not take salt.

1-B. The 2nd. variety of this A’sana, also possesses the same qualities. But the second one is a bit less advantageous to physical health and a bit more to mental health, than the 1st. variety of Sarva’unga’sana.

This A’sana affects the pancreas by reverting its normal position and as a result it increases the appetite. For the first four or five days you will feel more hungry. This is a medicine for dyspepsia. This A’sana increases the belly a little (just like Kumbhaka Pra’n’a’ya’ma) since the belly has to come out during the A’sana period.

2. MATSYAMUDRA’: During Sarva’unga’sana the pressure in thyroid and parathyroid was from the front side, but herein the position of the vocal cord is just the opposite and the pressure on thyroid, parathyroid and peptic gland now falls from the opposite side. The vocal cord has been fully exercised, and strengthened. The strengthening of the vocal cord enables the absorption of calcium from the food in a better way and helps those who are deficient in calcium. This is a complementary A’sana to Sarva’unga’sana, which has exercised the vocal cord in such a manner that it now requires pressure from the opposite direction. As a rule, therefore, every Sarva’unga’sana should be followed by this A’sana. Do Shava’sana after Sarva’unga’sana and thereafter, Matsyamudra’. The duration of Matsyamudra’ should be half of Sarva’unga’sana.

3. MATSYA’SANA: This enables an adjustment between the upper and lower portions of the body. As such it is rarely useful in diseases.

4. MATSYENDRA’SANA: It affects all the eight portions (hands, feet, mouth, nose, eyes, head, ear and tongue) of the body and is said to be Sarvarogahara, like the Sarva’unga’sana. Movement of the eyes to the extreme left and extreme right affects the nerves of the eyes as well. It activates all the Cakras. It helps in all diseases. It is mainly for males. Ladies can do it but not during the period of menses or pregnancy; it would be better if ladies did not do this A’sana. Sus’umna’ Ka’n’d’a is a collection of many bones. Accumulation of calcium salt within it, due to old age, changes the colour of the bones from whitish to yellowish; bone also gets hardened, as a result youthfulness shall quickly pass over and will look older much earlier. This A’sana checks the accumulation of calcium salt in the Sus’umna’ Ka’n’d’a or anywhere else, as a consequence bones receive requisite calcium salt, remain white and youthfulness lasts longer. It also helps longevity but not as much as Sarva’unga’sana.

5. VIIRA’SANA: It is good for the hair and head. Keeps the head cool and checks the falling of hair.

6. CAKRA’SANA: You will be able to do this A’sana better if you keep the navel at high position. A’sanas which are Recaka’nta that is they will end while exhaling, and there are some which are Pu’raka’nta, that is, they will end with inhaling. As a rule, you should exhale when the navel point is drawn in and inhale when it is pushed out. Accordingly, the A’sana becomes Recaka’nta or Pu’raka’nta. This A’sana is Recaka’nta. Different glands develop at different ages from the age of twelve to eighteen years, there is an increase both in height and fat, and there is an adjustment between the two. By 16 years of age, the height reaches its maximum. Fat grows from 20 years to 30 years. You can prescribe this A’sana to boys (even of 5 years) who are deficient in weight and height, though A’sanas are not prescribed to persons below 16 years.

7. NAOKA’SANA or DHANURA’SANA: The position of body, with reference to the navel, is just the opposite to the previous one. If both of these are done side by side this becomes a good exercise for the navel, which happens to be the controlling point of the entire body. An exercise of the same is very much advantageous to the physical, but has got little psycho-spiritual value. There are diseases which appear because of defect in Sapta Dha’tus (Rasa, Rakta, Ma’m’sa, Meda, Asthi, Majja’ & Shukra). It helps in such diseases (e.g. syphilis, leprosy).

8. UTKAT’A PASHCIMOTTA’NA’SANA: In Sanskrit, Pashcima means back, as such this A’sana has been named Pashcimotta’na. This A’sana affects the 3 lower Cakras (Man’ipura, Svadhisthana and Mu’la’dha’ra) by exerting pressure over them. This helps in syphilis, also in sciatica if the disease is at the preliminary stage. It also helps if acidity in blood has increased.

9.PARVATA’SANA or HALA’SANA: This exercises pressure over Ana’hata and Vishuddha. Doing this A’sana for a longer duration may cause pain in chest, which is only due to the exercise involved, and is not harmful.

10. SHIVA’SANA: In this A’sana, the pressure on Vishuddha Cakra is more than in the 9th, while the pressure on the Ana’hata is less. Those who have a weak heart may do this A’sana, while they may feel difficulty in doing the 9th.

11. VAJRA’SANA’": The position of the body being like lightening, it is called Vajra’sana. It helps those ladies and males who have become impotent in an early age. Both will have similar advantages, but the Utkat’a Vajra’sana is a bit more advantageous.

12. SIDDHA’SANA: Put your left leg below at the Lam’ point of Mu’la’dha’ra, and right leg above at Vam’ point of Svadhisthana, eyes fixed at the A’jina’ Cakra. It is the best A’sana for Sa’dhana’, since by putting pressure over the controlling points of the two lowermost Cakras, which are Tamogun’ii, their activity has been suspended. This helps in concentrating the mind in Sa’dhana’. The lesson of Dhya’na must be practised while in it, and of course it can also be done while doing Iishvara Pran’idha’na.

13. BADDHA PADMA’SANA: Since Sus’umna’ Ka’n’d’a remains in its actual position while doing this A’sana, this posture is the controlling A’sana of all other A’sanas, as it helps in doing them correctly.

14. KUKKUT’A’SANA: When you start Sa’dhana’, you should let the hands lie within the legs before coming in Padma’sana, After some practice you shall be able to put your hands within the legs, even in Padma’sana. When you are in this A’sana, your posture resembles that of a hen, hence this is Kukkut’a’sana. A hen rarely suffers from T.B., that is, from lack of calcium, similarly this A’sana also saves one from the deficiency in calcium. But after the disease has appeared, it does not help.

15. GOMUKHA’SANA: This A’sana exercises an outer pressure on Mu’la’dha’ra and Sva’dhis’t’hana, as a result it helps those who suffer from semenal loss. It helps in curing the diseases cropping up due to the weakness of Svadhisthana Cakra, which controls the seven Dha’tus of the body. It helps in the diseases of kidney, testicles including hydrocele. It shall help them who desire to keep semen in the body. It also helps ladies to build up their health, if they have lost it. This is named as Gomukha’sana, since knees during the A’sana appear like a cow from a distance.

16. MAYU’RA’SANA: During this A’sana the pressure of entire body falls on the navel and the elbows are pressing it. It exercises a great pressure on the pancreas, and helps in curing also known as Kurma’sana.

17. SAHAJA UTKAT’A’SANA: It helps in having a balance of the body.

18. SHALABHA’SANA: It strengthens the portion of body which lies above the navel point. Those ladies who have a practice in this A’sana, can do it, while having haemorrhage or excessive bleeding during the period of menses. But normally, ladies should not do it during the period of menses and pregnancy. Persons having weak heart should not do it, of course they can do it for strengthening the heart, after the disease has been cured. It also helps in checking the bleeding from the lower portion of the body.

19. BHUJAUNGA’SANA: This helps in checking the bleeding from the upper portion of the body and also cures the weakness of the upper part. Heart patients can also do this A’sana. This is also a Sva’sthya’sana.

20. SHASHA’UNGA’SANA: This A’sana is for the entire body, and exercises each and every gland and plexus. This also helps in having better meditation if those accustomed to this A’sana, sit in Sa’dhana’ after doing this A’sana. Of course, the person should sit after massaging the body.

21. BHASTRIKA’SANA: In this A’sana, stomach acts as blower (Bha’thii), as a result gas formed in it goes out. When the gas formed in the body tends to go up, people suffer from heart trouble, brain trouble, headache, the root cause being constipation. This A’sana cures these ailments by taking out the gas.

22. JA’NUSHIRA’SANA: In this A’sana pressure is exercised upon Mu’la’dha’ra Cakra, Kuhu, Shaunkhinii and Bajra’n’ii Na’d’iis. It helps in curing piles, kidney troubles and also checks seminal loss from which some young people suffer at the age of 18 or 19 years. A young man suffering from such a disease grows very lean and thin, loses his brain power, becomes very weak in his studies. Prescribe him this A’sana, this will check the seminal loss, but shall not cure.

23. ARDDHA SHIVA’SANA: It has the same advantage as the Shiva’sana.

24. ARDDHA-KURMAKA’SANA or DIIRGHA PRAN’AMA: It is an A’sana especially for female diseases. It affects the lower three Cakras. It helps in curing irregular menses which cause headache, and even heart trouble. It should not be done during pregnancy.

25. YOGA’SANA or YOGAMUDRA’: It has advantages similar to A’sana no. 25, but to a lesser degree.

26. TULA’DAN’D’A: It helps the growing young man (say, of age between 16 and 20) in developing a balanced physical body. It is very good for sportsmen.

27. U’S’T’RA’SANA: It strengthens the portion of the body round about the waist.

28. UTKAT’A KURMAKA’SANA: It strengthens all the joints of the body, and provides it a uniform strength. It is very much helpful in heavy weight-lifting.

29. JAT’ILA UTKAT’A’SANA: It helps in establishing controlled balance over the nerves of lower portion of body and it is good for those who have to do P.T. and parade for longer duration.

30. UTKA’TA BAJRA’SANA: It strengthens the knees.

31. PA’DAHASTA’SANA: Instead of doing the A’sana by first bending towards front and back, you should bend first towards left, then to right side, and front and back shall follow them. Rest is to be done as written in Carya’carya. It helps in curing the ladies who have weak health and suffer from anemia. It is a harmless A’sana, and best for ladies.

32. SHAVA’SANA: One for whom this is prescribed should do it for ten minutes. This is good for heart trouble. One must not do this A’sana, while sleeping, that means one should not sleep in this posture.

33. PADMA’SANA: Under normal conditions one should fix one’s eyes at the tip of the nose, while doing this A’sana.

34. KARMA’SANA: It should also be done, first by going to the left, then towards the right and then towards the front and back. It is best for developing the body. It makes one active and energetic.

35. JINA’NA’SANA: This cures intellectual dullness.

36. BHA’VA’SANA: This inspires some worldly knowledge in those who lack it.

37. GRANTHIMUKTA’SANA: This helps in curing a mild paralysis, due to which nerve (of ear, nose or any such place) is not working. It also helps a man, if he is very much lean and thin.

38. GARUD’A’SANA: It helps in lessening the weight of the body.

39. DVISAMAKON’A’SANA: It is better for high jump, low jump, full jump.

40. TEJAS A’SANA: It increases the energy of man and helps him in acquiring strength from the food he takes.

41. MAN’D’UKA’SANA: It enables the man to live for many days without food, as some animals live in the hibernation period. It is purely a Sva’sthya’sana and can be done like the four generals after disease.

Notes

1. Matsya Mudra’ and Jina’na’sana are best for developing memory.

2. Generally, do not sit for Dhya’na and other subtler processes of your Sa’dhana’, just after doing A’sanas, either take some rest after you have done the A’sanas or do them after Dhya’na.