The Deeper Meaning of Yoga Asana

By increasing range of motion and strengthening the body, it's clear that yoga postures affect us physically. There's also a mythical life to yoga asanas—many are named after characteristics found either in nature or in great people, or are defined by the muscle groups they engage. But understanding poses requires us to move beyond simply doing the postures, into an internal state which is quiet and centered. Deeper practices also involve an energetic experience—both during and after our practice. As we progress we come to realize that the interior life of poses is the true nature of asana, and any sequence of postures can help awaken an experience of being within ourselves.