In yoga, an asana is a posture in which a practitioner sits.[1] In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines "asana" as "to be seated in a position that is firm, but relaxed".[2] Patanjali mentions the ability to sit for extended periods as one of the eight limbs of his system, known as ashtanga yoga.[3]
Asanas are also performed as physical exercise where they are sometimes referred to as "yoga postures" or "yoga positions".[4] Some asanas are performed just for health purposes. Asanas do promote good health, although in different ways compared to physical exercises, "placing the physical body in positions that cultivate also awareness, relaxation and concentration".[5] Through the practice of yoga asanas one puts the body into positions that are not often practiced in modern, everyday life and thus helps to maintain longterm range of motion as we age.

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84 Classical Asanas

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