Asan Pranayam Mudra Bandh

SR No.: 009366
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satyanand Saraswati Swami
Publisher: Yoga Publication Trust
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 560
Language: Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 5 MB

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pre-meditation poses listed here, the legs and hips will become flexible enough to comfortably maintain a steady posture.
Pre-meditation asanas: The following selected practices from the pawanmuktasana series are most useful for preparing the body for the meditation asanas:
1. Ardha titali asana (half butterfly)
2. Shroni chakra (hip rotation)
3. Poorna titali (full butterfly)
4. Vayu nishkasana (wind releasing pose)
5. Kawa chalasana (crow walking)
6. Udarakarshan asana (abdominal stretch pose)
7. Shaithalyasana (animal relaxation pose), refer to chapter on forward bending asanas.
Stillness: When sitting in meditation postures, programme the mind with suggestions like, "I am as steady as a rock" or "I am becoming motionless like a statue". This way the asana will quickly become steady and, after a while, will be comfortable for extended periods of time. This is the practice of kaya sthairyam, complete body stillness.
Alternative postures: Apart from the postures mentioned in this chapter, there are four other asanas which are useful for meditation. These are described in the chapter on the vajrasana group of asanas. They are:
1. Vajrasana (thunderbolt or pelvic pose) 2. Ananda madirasana (intoxicating bliss pose)
3. Padadhirasana (breath balancing pose)
4. Bhadrasana (gracious pose).
Other asanas, such as gorakhshasana or moola bandhasana, may also be used for meditation but they are advanced practices and not comfortable for prolonged periods of time. These are described in the advanced asanas chapter.
Precautions: If there is severe discomfort or pain in the legs after sitting for some time in a meditation asana, slowly unlock the legs and massage them. When the blood circulation has returned to normal and there is no pain, resume the asana. However, be aware that the knee is a very delicate and much abused joint of the body and be careful not to strain it, especially while moving into or out of these meditation asanas.
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