Asana is a Sanskrit term which is often translated as “posture” or “pose.” Asana can also be translated as “a steady, comfortable seat,” particularly for the ...Yoga|PracticeWhatAreYogaAsanas?YogaInternational5min.AsanaisaSanskrittermwhichisoftentranslatedas“posture”or“pose.”Asanacanalsobetranslatedas“asteady,comfortableseat,”particularlyforthepurposeofmeditation.Manypeopleequateasanawiththeactofperformingfancy,advancedposes.However,anyoneofanylevelofexperiencecanpractice(whetherbeginner,intermediate,oradvanced).Individualasanascanalsobemodifiedtosuitallpracticeneedsanddesires.WhyPracticePostures?Inthecontemporaryworldwheremanyofusareperpetuallyonthego,practicecanslowusdownandhelpusbridgedisconnectionsbetweenthebody,mind,andbreath.Itcanalsobepracticedtoincreasestrengthandflexibility,improvebalanceandcorestrength,andbringasenseofmindfulnessintooureverydaylives.Scientificresearchisalsosuggestingthataregularpracticecanprovidethefollowingbenefits:RelievingchronicpainTeachingyoutocontrolyourrespirationImprovingsleepandself-reportedqualityoflifeReducinganxietyanddepressionStylesofPracticeTirumalaiKrishnamacharyaiscommonlyreferredtoasthefounderofmodernposturalyoga.HeiscreditedforrevivinghathapracticesinIndia,andhewastheteacherofsomeofthemostinfluentialyogisofthe20thcentury:T.K.V.Desikachar(hisson),PattabhiJois,andB.K.SIyengar.BothKrishnamacharyaandhissonDesikachartookafullycustomizableapproachtoasanabyadaptingtheirteachingstosuittheindividualandprovidingone-on-oneinstruction.DesikacharwentontofoundtheKrishnamacharyaYogaMandiram—acenterforyogatherapythatcontinuedhisfather’steachings.JoisfoundedAshtangaYoga,whichisknownforitsbreath-focused,progressivesequences.IyengarfoundedIyengarYoga,whichisknownforitsinnovativeapproachtoprops.Iyengarinventednewwaystomodifyposes,makingthemmoreeffectiveandaccessibleforalltypesofpractitionersandlevelsofexperience.(Youcanlearnmoreaboutpropsandtheirapplicationhere.)OtherstylesincludeJivamukti(foundedbySharonGannonandDavidLife),ForrestYoga(foun