Asanas are just one part of a complete and whole "Yoga Practice."
The other "limbs" of Yoga are:
YAMA's - principles as to how we relate to the world NIYAMA's - principles as to how we relate to ourselves ASANAS - postures/poses PRANAYAMA - Breath Control PRATYAHARA - Retraction of the senses DHRANA - Concentration DHYANA - Meditation SAMHADI - The Bliss State
Uttanasana - "intense-stretch"
Pavritta (revolved) Trikonasana - "Triangle pose"
Sanskrit
The language of yoga is Sanskrit.
All yoga poses have a Sanskrit name. The first part of the name describes the pose, the second part of the name is "asana"
Thus, "Trikonasana" means - Tri (three), Ko (angle), Asana (pose) = Triangle pose
Body, Mind, Spirt
Yoga is a practice - it is not "exercise" in the common sense of the word.
The most authoritative text on Yoga is "The Yoga Sutra's of Patanjali" (circa 200 a.d.) Patanjali states:
"Perfection in asana is achieved when there is firmness of body, steadiness of mind and benevolence of spirit."
- Sutra II.46
EkaPadaSetuBanda - "One-legged bridge pose"
Meditation
Calming the Mind
Yoga's focus is on the mind as well as the body.
The Yoga Sutras state that the purpose of Yoga is to clear the disturbances of the mind. In Sanskrit the word for mind is "Citta." The word for disturbances is "Vttri" and and the word for cessation of activity is "Nirodah"
