Story of Āsana

Posture in Yogābhyāsa. There are different types of āsanas. The chief of them are given below:

Bhujaṅgāsana.

Lying flat, face downwards on a sheet with hands placed close to the body on either side. After relaxing all the muscles of the body, concentrate the mind on health. Keeping the feet close together and pressing the knees against the ground, raise the soles upwards to the sky. Place both palms, pressing against the ground, touching the shoulders on both sides. Then raise the head and bend the neck backwards as far as possible. At this time, the trunk and legs should be in close contact with the ground. Gradually raise the chest, supported by the hands on the ground. Bring the head down in the same way as it was raised and restore the body to its former position. This āsana strengthens the backbone.

Śalabhāsana.

Lie flat on the sheet, face downwards. Keep the legs close together and raise the feet up with the heels touching each other. Place the hands close to the body on either side and close the fists upwards. Place the fists and shoulders close to the ground and make the whole body stiff after inhaling the breath. Then try to raise the legs. Support the weight of the body with the breast and hands. This is possible by pressing the fists, firmly against the ground. Until the āsana is completed, do not send out the breath. Keep the legs straight and stiff. The lower abdomen and legs may be raised slightly. This makes the āsana complete. On feeling suffocation, the legs must be brought down slowly.

Besides these, there are many other āsanas like Dhanurāsana, Paścimātānāsana, Halāsana, Mayūrāsana, Sarvāṅgāsana, Matsyāsana, Śīrṣāsana, Arddhamatsyendrāsana, Pādahastāsana, Trikoṇāsana, Uḍḍīyāsana, Nauli, Viparītakaraṇi, Yogamudrā, Śavāsana, etc. (See under Yoga).