PRACTICE OF ASANAS
Swami Sivananda
The practice of Asanas develops the body and makes it agile, nimble. The practitioner has a very elastic and supple body. He has a keen, vigorous appetite. Any trouble is removed from its starting point by the practice of Asanas. The three important organs, viz., heart, lungs, and brain and the cerebro-spinal system are kept in a healthy condition. The vital forces are also preserved and increased. The circulation of blood in the arteries and veins is kept in proper order. There is no stagnation of blood in any part of the body. The spinal cord is toned up. The practice of Asanas prevents the development of arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. The practice of Asanas, in fact, lubricates the whole bodily system.
There are many ways to make the body strong. Weight lifting, running, swimming, etc. I remember watching a video of Arnold Schwarzenegger weight lifting. His muscle swelled to the point of near explosion. Veins popped from his neck like lighting bolts. It was certainly eye opening to watch Arnold, but I felt uneasy. I couldn't figure out why until I began practicing yoga.
I remember so clearly my first day of yoga practice at the Sivananda Ashram in Southern India. Lying on my yoga mat I gazed up to the ceiling made of Bambo and coconut leaves. I felt protected and comforted by natures beauty and strength.
We began the class with pranayam (breathing exercises) then transitioned into the yoga asana's (steady comfortable poses.) Some poses like the headstand required great physical demand. We were reminded again and again to bring awareness to our breath and body. I observed the subtle and not so subtle sensations of my mustles contracting and ligaments stretching. I felt both physically and mentally as light as a butterfly.
