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Yoga poses are the various postures practiced in yoga to attain mental & physical balance. The basis of any yoga practice is the performance of yogic positions or asanas. Each asana has specific physical and mental benefits. There are a various forms of Yoga such as Ashtanga Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Each form has various asanas.
Yoga has its roots in Hindu Mysticism. There is no way to establish an exact set of postures. However, there are books, yoga instructors who can guide beginners on various yoga poses and breathing techniques.
Yoga therapy & yoga training are based on various yoga poses.
A few basic poses based on yoga forms are as below:
Hatha Yoga:
- Downward-Facing Dog
- Auspicious Pose
- Bound Angle
- Half Lord of the Fishes
- Bow
Bikram yoga:
- Rabbit Pose
- Half Moon Pose
- Spine Twisting Pose
- Tree Pose
A mudra is a symbolic gesture usually made with the hands or fingers. These are used in Yog meditations along with asanas. A beginner embarking on yoga training starts with learning breathing techniques and then moves on to basic postures such as the Lotus Position. The Lotus Position is a cross-legged sitting posture, which originated in representations and meditative practices of Hinduism.
In this position, the right foot is placed on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh with the soles of the feet turned up, and the spine straightened. In Hinduism, the hands are placed on the knees. Sit with the legs straight in front of the body. Slowly and carefully, bend one leg and place the foot on top of the opposite thigh. The sole should face upward and the heel should be close to the pubic bone. When this feels comfortable, bend the other leg and place the foot on to top of the opposite thigh.
Finish your yoga sessions with Shavasana or corpse pose, which is achieved as follows:
Lie down quietly on your back like a corpse. Rest your arms at your sides, palms facing up. Clear your mind of thoughts. Take long deep breaths and be in a perfectly relaxed condition. Just practice these and see the difference.
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