Asanas, the postures practiced in yoga, comprise the third limb of yoga. In the yogic view, the body is a temple of spirit, the care of which is an important stage of our spiritual growth. Through the practice of asanas, we develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate, both of which are necessary for meditation.
It is believed that the yogis developed the yoga asanas to do prior to meditation so that their bodies would be more comfortable to sit for great lengths of time. The word asana means ‘seat,’ so we are finding our seat in each yoga posture: that place of balance between effort and ease, where our mind can be calm, present, meditative.
