2.5 Concept and Principles of Yogasana and Pranayama (Syllabus 1.11–1.12)

Concept and Principles of Yogasana and Pranayama

Quick Answer: Syllabus topics 1.11 and 1.12 ask for the concept of Yogasana and Pranayama—meaning, definitions, types and their place in Yoga Sadhana—not only technique. Patanjali defines Asana as a posture that is steady and comfortable (Sthira-sukham asanam, PYS 2.46), and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika makes it the first limb of Hatha Yoga because it gives steadiness, health and lightness (HYP 1.17). Pranayama is the regulation of the movement of breath once posture is mastered (PYS 2.49); its classical types range from Patanjali's four varieties to the eight Kumbhakas of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

---

Part I: Concept and Principles of Yogasana (Syllabus 1.11)

Meaning

Asana comes from the root As, "to sit, to remain". Its first meaning is a seat—both the thing one sits on (the Kusha, deerskin and cloth of Bhagavad Gita 6.11) and the way one sits. In Hatha Yoga the word widened to cover the whole family of bodily postures.

Classical definitions

Types of Asana

Teachers classify Asanas in two complementary ways.

By purpose (a classification widely used in Indian courses; Swami Kuvalayananda distinguished meditative from cultural postures):

1. Meditative postures (Dhyanasanas) — Padmasana, Siddhasana, Swastikasana, Vajrasana, Sukhasana. A stable triangular base keeps the spine erect for long sittings in Pranayama and Dhyana.
2. Cultural or health-promoting postures — the bends, twists, balances and inversions that tone the spine, viscera and muscles (Bhujangasana, Paschimottanasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Vrikshasana).
3. Relaxative postures (Vishranti Asanas) — Shavasana, Makarasana and similar resting positions, used to release fatigue between and after practices.

By body position: standing, sitting, prone, supine, and inverted or balancing postures. The YWI practical list (items 5.1–5.12) is arranged in this way.

Principles of practice

• Steadiness with ease (PYS 2.46): hold a posture only as long as the breath stays smooth.
• Relaxation of effort (PYS 2.47): use the minimum muscular work the posture needs.
• Breath coordination: inhale with expansion and backward bending; exhale with forward bending, twisting and abdominal compression.
• Awareness of the body, breath and sensations rather than of appearance.
• Gradual progression and counter-posture (a forward bend after a backbend).
• Empty stomach, a clean and airy place, and a closing rest in Shavasana.

Significance in Yoga Sadhana

Asana prepares the body for the higher limbs. A seat that is steady lets Pranayama begin—PYS 2.49 opens with Tasmin sati, "when that is achieved"—and a body free of restlessness lets the mind turn inward. HYP 1.17 puts Asana first because health and steadiness come first. Asanas differ from ordinary exercise in being slow, breath-led and inwardly attentive, which is why they leave the practitioner calm rather than tired.

---

Part II: Concept and Principles of Pranayama (Syllabus 1.12)

Meaning

Pranayama joins Prana—the vital force, carried most obviously by the breath—with either Ayama (extension, expansion) or Yama (control, restraint). Both readings are taught: Pranayama both lengthens and regulates the breath.

Classical definitions

• PYS 2.49: Tasmin sati shvasa-prashvasayor gati-vichchhedah pranayamah — when posture is mastered, Pranayama is the regulation (pause) of the movement of inhalation and exhalation.
• PYS 2.50–51: the breath is regulated as external, internal or stationary retention, measured by place, time and number, and becomes long and subtle; a fourth kind goes beyond both external and internal.
• HYP 2.2: Chale vate chalam chittam — when the breath moves, the mind moves; when the breath is still, the mind is still.
• HYP 2.3: as long as the breath remains in the body there is life, and death is its departure; therefore the breath should be restrained.

Phases and types

Principles of practice

• Prepare with Asana and, where needed, cleansing (HYP 2.21).
• Gradual progress: HYP 2.15 compares the breath to a lion, elephant or tiger that is tamed slowly; HYP 2.16–17 warns that wrong practice causes disease—hiccup, asthma, cough, and pain in the head, ears and eyes.
• Breathe through the nose (except in the cooling practices), smoothly and silently, without strain.
• Begin with equal inhalation and exhalation, then lengthen the exhalation (1:2) before any retention is added under a teacher.
• Practise on an empty stomach, in a steady seat with the spine erect.
• At YWI level the syllabus Pranayamas are taught without Kumbhaka.

Significance in Yoga Sadhana

Patanjali names two fruits: the veil over the inner light thins (PYS 2.52) and the mind becomes fit for concentration (PYS 2.53). HYP 2.2 explains why: steadying the breath steadies the mind. Pranayama is therefore the bridge between the body-based limb (Asana) and the mind-based limbs (Pratyahara to Samadhi).