Yoga Poses

Among different Yoga defined by the old sages the yogis have given preference to only 4 Yoga, Gyan Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raj Yoga to get health benefits. Hatha Yoga is included in the Raj Yoga and in the Hatha Yoga some practices are included too; they are Asana, Mudra, Neti, Dhauti, Pranayama and so on. There is a controversy among the writers of scriptures. In the second Advice of the Gherando Samhita (1 and 2 Shlokas) the sage refers to 84, 000, 00 Asanas as advised by Lord Shiva. Among them 16,000 are regarded effective and among them only 32 Asanas have proved their worth for the well being of mankind.

Again in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika the sage refers to among the 84 Asanas mentioned by Lord Shiva only 4 seem effective. They are Siddhasana, Padmasana, Simhasana and Bhadrasana.It is Siddhasana that is the perfect pose to practice any Yogic Kriyas.

According to Maharishi Patanjali it is to sit in comfortable position that is called the Asana. “Sthirasukhamasanam”.

Asanas are of 2 types- Dhayanasana and Sashthyasana.

Padmasana (Lotus Pose), Kukkutasna (Hen Pose), Siddhasana (Accomplished Pose), Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose), Gorakshasana or Bhadrasana (Panacea Pose) and Vajrasna (Thunderbolt Pose) etc. are typical Dhyanasanas.

Bhujagasana (Snake Pose), Shalavasana (Insect Pose), Shasangasana (Hare Pose), Paschimottanasana (The Back Muscles stretching Asana) are typical Sasthyasana.

 Apart from those above mentioned Poses there are other Yogic Poses, the Mudras such as the Yoga Mudra, Biparitakarani Mudra, Sarbangasana Mudra, Matsya Mudra, Shirshasana or Mastak Mudra and so on.

The Asanas and the Mudras that are widely popular and can be practiced by both men and women and all having health benefits are 19 Dhyanasanas, 31 Sashthasana, 13 Mudras and 7 Dhautis. If one can practice all these step by step without making any hurry one must get Yoga Health Benefits.
Common asanas-

Padmasana

Vajrasana