The Real Meaning of the Asanas The real meaning of the asanas (physical postures)
In the genuine practice of hatha yoga the asanas (postures) are much more than just exercises for the body. The real aim of the asanas is to put the practitioner into resonance with certain forms of subtle energies emanating from the universe.
Each asana is a specific position of the body which creates a resonance with a specific form or type of energy. This energy can be absorbed by and expressed through the human body, allowing the practitioner to experience different emotional and mental states. In this way the asanas can be used as tools for understanding and controlling these states and therefore as an efficient method of spiritual transformation.
The yoga asanas are part of the branch of yoga know as hatha yoga. Along with other types of yoga such as kundalini yoga and laya yoga, hatha yoga is part of the Tantric teachings. The word hatha comes from ha' meaning solar (+), and tha' meaning lunar (-), ha-tha yoga is therefore the union of the plus and the minus the two opposing forces in the human body.
In the modern yoga classes of today this subtle, esoteric meaning is ignored, the focus remains an external one and the asanas are seen as mere physical exercises. This situation has occurred because of two main reasons. First of all, the tantric masters who really know the secrets of Hatha Yoga chose not to reveal to the large masses their esoteric knowledge on asanas, preferring to transmit this information "from mouth to ear", never committing it in writing. Even the most famous texts on Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita and Siva Samhita are at best very elliptic, never offering a plain explanation for everyone to understand.
The second reason for this regrettable situation is the lack of deep mystical experience of the most yoga instructors and book authors from our days. As a result, there are a number of wide spread misconceptions about Hatha Yoga.
How the asanas work
The yoga postures work in many ways. The first and most obvious of those is the effect the postures have on the health of the physical body. This is due largely to the influence on the glands of the endocrine system. During the posture various glands are compressed and stimulated this helps to normalise their function and their hormone secretion. An important aspect here is that in order to have this effect the postures need to be held for long periods of time, something which is not normally done in most western schools of yoga.
The second way in which the yoga postures work is through their effect upon the body's subtle energetical structure. According to Tantra the human body is made up of a very complex network of subtle channels known as nadis some more important than others and each one of them responsible for carrying a certain form of energy. The nadis intersect at various key points in the body known as cakras or subtle centres of force. The asanas work by closing the energetical circuits of the body, directing the energies along specific nadis towards specific cakras and preventing it from flowing along others. This will generate specific effects on the mind and the body. It is therefore essential that in order to get these effects, the practitioner needs to know what forms of energy each asana works with and where the energies are being directed.
The most important way, however in which the asanas work, is by the process of resonance. "Resonance" comes from the Latin "resonare", which means to resound, to vibrate. The process of resonance comprises two systems, in our case the human being (the microcosm) and the universe (the macrocosm) which have a common vibration frequency. (Note: for a detailed explanation please read the article on resonance on this site).
Everything that exists in the macrocosm exists in us as well and something that does not exist inside of us does not exist in the macrocosm - this is the law of correspondence. Each cakra located within the microcosm of the human subtle body corresponds to an exterior, infinite cakra, or sphere of energy, of the macrocosm. When a yogi performs an asana, the specific energising of the cakras creates a connection to the corresponding subtle energies from the Universe, and through the process of resonance a transfer of energy occurs. And here is a very important point this process is amplified by the concentration. The yogi not only needs to know where to focus the energy during the posture, i.e. what cakra to activate, but also what type of energy he is creating a resonance with and therefore what effects will be generated.
For example in the posture Bhujangasana the concentration is at the level of the heart cakra (Anahata). During the posture the yogi needs to focus at this level and at the same time mentally evoke the desired effect in this case a state of pure love if this is done correctly then a resonance will occur between the yogis heart cakra (Anahata) and the infinite macrocosmic sphere of love (Maha Anahata Cakra), transferring virtually unlimited quantities of the energy of love to his heart.
However, while in the macrocosm all the subtle forces are perfectly energized with infinite power, in the microcosm they are often dormant, existing only in a state of potentiality. For example, one person may, in theory, have the possibility to experience pure infinite love, the same person may not actually experience this love because of a lack of resonance with the same types of energies from the macrocosm. Using the correct asanas, however this person can awaken the resonance to those energies that would not normally be there and in this way open them up to feelings and states that they would never normally experience. In this way the asanas can be seen as genuine tools for spiritual transformation. In fact we can say that there is no "real" Hatha Yoga outside the practice of cakra meditation and cakra awareness.
A common man looking at a yogi practicing asana may imagine that what he sees is all there is to it. In fact, the secret of asanas is not the posture itself, but the mental concentration associated with the execution. That is why many have seen yogis performing Hatha Yoga and considered that they too would be able to do the same by mimicking their pose. Nothing can be further from the genuine practice of asanas.
Kundalini Yoga and Asanas
Kundalini is the name of the most fundamental energy-force in the human being. The awakening of this fundamental energy, Kundalini is experienced by a large number of yogis and "ordinary" people all over the world. This "force", although poorly known in the Western sciences, is the main vehicle of man towards the revelation of the Supreme Self and the attainment of ultimate spiritual freedom. In most "ordinary" people the fundamental energy Kundalini is dormant. It's location (in the dormant state) is the sacral plexus (Muladhara Cakra), but when it is awakened, it raises from centre to centre, up the spinal chord (Susumna Nadi) until it reaches the crown centre (Sahasrara), accompanied by extraordinary emotions and states of consciousness. Kundalini pierces the seven force centres (cakras) and generates the state of spiritual illumination, but the experience of Kundalini is not without perils. The spontaneous or accidental awakening of Kundalini can cause a great deal of pain and even psychic problems. These sufferings are caused by the energy overcharges in the subtle body. The "impurities" of the subtle body are "burned" by Kundalini and this often is a painful process.
Of course, if the awakening of Kundalini comes after attaining a solid training in Hatha Yoga, if the cakras and nadis have been purified with asanas and pranayama (breath control exercises) then Kundalini is no longer a cause for painful experiences - but a source of extraordinary bliss and sublime feelings. Kundalini is the fastest path towards ultimate spiritual freedom and Hatha Yoga is the best way to prepare for its awakening, because both asanas and Kundalini work on the same subtle force centres (cakras) and subtle channels (nadis).
The ultimate aim of the asanas
The correct practice of Hatha Yoga produces a gradual awakening of the seven force centres. With the activation of the first centre (Muladhara), we gain a state of excellent vitality. With the activation of Swadhistana cakra, we ensure the capacity for harmonious social interactions and a healthy sexual appetite. By activating Manipura cakra, we amplify our will power and self confidence. By opening Anahata cakra (the heart cakra), we gain the capacity to love infinitely - a divine state of pure love, without having a particular object to be directed upon. Vishuddha cakra induces a state of great purity and deep spiritual intuition. Ajna cakra gives us perfect control over our subtle body and the paranormal power of clairvoyance. Finally, Sahasrara is responsible for the state of union of the human being with the Absolute Transcendence, the most elevated state of consciousness.
Somewhere on this way, by balancing the feminine and masculine aspects of our personality, by opening up so that we could resonate with the beneficial energies of the macrocosm, Hatha Yoga facilitates a profound transformation of our inner being. Our consciousness is expanded to the infinite, the heart is filled with bliss - this is the actual experience of many people who walked this spiritual path.
In the genuine practice of hatha yoga the asanas (postures) are much more than just exercises for the body. The real aim of the asanas is to put the practitioner into resonance with certain forms of subtle energies emanating from the universe.
Each asana is a specific position of the body which creates a resonance with a specific form or type of energy. This energy can be absorbed by and expressed through the human body, allowing the practitioner to experience different emotional and mental states. In this way the asanas can be used as tools for understanding and controlling these states and therefore as an efficient method of spiritual transformation.
The yoga asanas are part of the branch of yoga know as hatha yoga. Along with other types of yoga such as kundalini yoga and laya yoga, hatha yoga is part of the Tantric teachings. The word hatha comes from ha' meaning solar (+), and tha' meaning lunar (-), ha-tha yoga is therefore the union of the plus and the minus the two opposing forces in the human body.
In the modern yoga classes of today this subtle, esoteric meaning is ignored, the focus remains an external one and the asanas are seen as mere physical exercises. This situation has occurred because of two main reasons. First of all, the tantric masters who really know the secrets of Hatha Yoga chose not to reveal to the large masses their esoteric knowledge on asanas, preferring to transmit this information "from mouth to ear", never committing it in writing. Even the most famous texts on Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita and Siva Samhita are at best very elliptic, never offering a plain explanation for everyone to understand.
The second reason for this regrettable situation is the lack of deep mystical experience of the most yoga instructors and book authors from our days. As a result, there are a number of wide spread misconceptions about Hatha Yoga.
How the asanas work
The yoga postures work in many ways. The first and most obvious of those is the effect the postures have on the health of the physical body. This is due largely to the influence on the glands of the endocrine system. During the posture various glands are compressed and stimulated this helps to normalise their function and their hormone secretion. An important aspect here is that in order to have this effect the postures need to be held for long periods of time, something which is not normally done in most western schools of yoga.
The second way in which the yoga postures work is through their effect upon the body's subtle energetical structure. According to Tantra the human body is made up of a very complex network of subtle channels known as nadis some more important than others and each one of them responsible for carrying a certain form of energy. The nadis intersect at various key points in the body known as cakras or subtle centres of force. The asanas work by closing the energetical circuits of the body, directing the energies along specific nadis towards specific cakras and preventing it from flowing along others. This will generate specific effects on the mind and the body. It is therefore essential that in order to get these effects, the practitioner needs to know what forms of energy each asana works with and where the energies are being directed.
The most important way, however in which the asanas work, is by the process of resonance. "Resonance" comes from the Latin "resonare", which means to resound, to vibrate. The process of resonance comprises two systems, in our case the human being (the microcosm) and the universe (the macrocosm) which have a common vibration frequency. (Note: for a detailed explanation please read the article on resonance on this site).
Everything that exists in the macrocosm exists in us as well and something that does not exist inside of us does not exist in the macrocosm - this is the law of correspondence. Each cakra located within the microcosm of the human subtle body corresponds to an exterior, infinite cakra, or sphere of energy, of the macrocosm. When a yogi performs an asana, the specific energising of the cakras creates a connection to the corresponding subtle energies from the Universe, and through the process of resonance a transfer of energy occurs. And here is a very important point this process is amplified by the concentration. The yogi not only needs to know where to focus the energy during the posture, i.e. what cakra to activate, but also what type of energy he is creating a resonance with and therefore what effects will be generated.
For example in the posture Bhujangasana the concentration is at the level of the heart cakra (Anahata). During the posture the yogi needs to focus at this level and at the same time mentally evoke the desired effect in this case a state of pure love if this is done correctly then a resonance will occur between the yogis heart cakra (Anahata) and the infinite macrocosmic sphere of love (Maha Anahata Cakra), transferring virtually unlimited quantities of the energy of love to his heart.
However, while in the macrocosm all the subtle forces are perfectly energized with infinite power, in the microcosm they are often dormant, existing only in a state of potentiality. For example, one person may, in theory, have the possibility to experience pure infinite love, the same person may not actually experience this love because of a lack of resonance with the same types of energies from the macrocosm. Using the correct asanas, however this person can awaken the resonance to those energies that would not normally be there and in this way open them up to feelings and states that they would never normally experience. In this way the asanas can be seen as genuine tools for spiritual transformation. In fact we can say that there is no "real" Hatha Yoga outside the practice of cakra meditation and cakra awareness.
A common man looking at a yogi practicing asana may imagine that what he sees is all there is to it. In fact, the secret of asanas is not the posture itself, but the mental concentration associated with the execution. That is why many have seen yogis performing Hatha Yoga and considered that they too would be able to do the same by mimicking their pose. Nothing can be further from the genuine practice of asanas.
Kundalini Yoga and Asanas
Kundalini is the name of the most fundamental energy-force in the human being. The awakening of this fundamental energy, Kundalini is experienced by a large number of yogis and "ordinary" people all over the world. This "force", although poorly known in the Western sciences, is the main vehicle of man towards the revelation of the Supreme Self and the attainment of ultimate spiritual freedom. In most "ordinary" people the fundamental energy Kundalini is dormant. It's location (in the dormant state) is the sacral plexus (Muladhara Cakra), but when it is awakened, it raises from centre to centre, up the spinal chord (Susumna Nadi) until it reaches the crown centre (Sahasrara), accompanied by extraordinary emotions and states of consciousness. Kundalini pierces the seven force centres (cakras) and generates the state of spiritual illumination, but the experience of Kundalini is not without perils. The spontaneous or accidental awakening of Kundalini can cause a great deal of pain and even psychic problems. These sufferings are caused by the energy overcharges in the subtle body. The "impurities" of the subtle body are "burned" by Kundalini and this often is a painful process.
Of course, if the awakening of Kundalini comes after attaining a solid training in Hatha Yoga, if the cakras and nadis have been purified with asanas and pranayama (breath control exercises) then Kundalini is no longer a cause for painful experiences - but a source of extraordinary bliss and sublime feelings. Kundalini is the fastest path towards ultimate spiritual freedom and Hatha Yoga is the best way to prepare for its awakening, because both asanas and Kundalini work on the same subtle force centres (cakras) and subtle channels (nadis).
The ultimate aim of the asanas
The correct practice of Hatha Yoga produces a gradual awakening of the seven force centres. With the activation of the first centre (Muladhara), we gain a state of excellent vitality. With the activation of Swadhistana cakra, we ensure the capacity for harmonious social interactions and a healthy sexual appetite. By activating Manipura cakra, we amplify our will power and self confidence. By opening Anahata cakra (the heart cakra), we gain the capacity to love infinitely - a divine state of pure love, without having a particular object to be directed upon. Vishuddha cakra induces a state of great purity and deep spiritual intuition. Ajna cakra gives us perfect control over our subtle body and the paranormal power of clairvoyance. Finally, Sahasrara is responsible for the state of union of the human being with the Absolute Transcendence, the most elevated state of consciousness.
Somewhere on this way, by balancing the feminine and masculine aspects of our personality, by opening up so that we could resonate with the beneficial energies of the macrocosm, Hatha Yoga facilitates a profound transformation of our inner being. Our consciousness is expanded to the infinite, the heart is filled with bliss - this is the actual experience of many people who walked this spiritual path.