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body. Through asana practice, the dormant energy potential is released and experienced as increased confidence in all areas of life.
Yogasana and exercise Yogasanas have often been thought of as a form of exercise. They are not exercises, but techniques which place the physical body in positions that cultivate awareness, relaxation, concentration and meditation. Part of this process is the development of good physical health by stretching, massaging and stimulating the prank channels and internal organs.
Although asana is not exercise it is complementary to exercise. Before the difference between the two can be understood, it is necessary to know a little about the latter. Exercise imposes a beneficial stress on the body. Without it the muscles waste, the bones become weak, the capacity to absorb oxygen decreases, insulin insensitivity can occur, and the ability to meet the physical demands of sudden activity is lost.
There are several differences in the way asana and exercise affect body mechanisms. When yogasanas are performed, respiration and metabolic rates slow down, the consumption of oxygen and the body temperature drop. During exercise, however, the breath and metabolism speed up, oxygen consumption rises, and the body gets hot. Yoga postures tend to arrest catabolism whereas exercise promotes it. In addition, asanas are designed to have specific effects on the glands and internal organs, and to alter electrochemical activity in the nervous system.
Yogasanas classified The asanas are classified into three groups: beginners, intermediate and advanced. It is not necessary to perform all the asanas in a particular group. Regular practice of a balanced programme, tailored to individual needs is recommended for maximum benefit.
The beginners group should be performed by those who have never practised yogasanas before, who are infirm in any way, weak or sick and who are therefore unable to perform the
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