Asanas versus Exercise
Asana is one among the eight steps in Patanjali’s ashtanga yoga. Though Patanjali does not prescribe elaborate asanas, later a separate system developed exclusively based on various asanas. These asanas became so popular that now the word Yoga became synonymous with asana. Later when Yoga moved to the West, these asanas became so famous and returned back to India creating various famous schools of yoga exclusively promoting these asanas. However these asanas, though look similar to exercise still there is lots of difference between them. I have done some elementary level study on Yoga. No where I read about this subtle but very important difference between them. However when I read Brunton’s book A Search in Secret India [Dr Paul Brunton, New Delhi, B.I. Publications Pvt. Ltd, (1934), Reprint 1989], I learnt this very important difference from the words of Yogi Brama whom Brunton met at Adayar in modern Chennai in his hunt for various yogis. The following is the verbatim dialogue between them on this important subject on asana versus exercise:
“But why all this twisting and turning?” I object.
“Because there are many nerve-centres scattered throughout the body, and each posture affects a different centre. Through the nerves we can influence either the organs of the body or the thoughts in the brain. Those twists enable us to reach nerve centres which otherwise might remain untouched.”
“I see.” The basis of this Yogic physical culture begins to shape itself a little more clearly in mind. It is interesting to ascertain how it compares with the basic principles of our (p.80) European and American systems. I tell Brama about the existence of the latter.
“I do not know your Western systems, but I have seen white soldiers being drilled at the great camp near Madras. By watching them I have understood what their instructors wished to do. Strengthening the muscles seems to have been their first object, because you Westerners find your highest virtues in being bodily active. Therefore, you make much use of the limbs in a most energetic manner, repeating those movements again and again. You spend energy vigorously, so that you may build up the muscles and receive greater strength in return. That is a good thing to do in the cold countries of the North, doubtless.”
“What is the chief difference between the methods, as you see it?”
“Our Yoga exercises are really poses and require no further movements after the pose has been taken up. Instead of seeking more energy with which to be active, we seek to increase the power of endurance. You see, we believe that though the development of the muscles may be useful, it is the power which is behind them that is of greater value. Thus, if I tell you that standing on your shoulders in a particular way will wash the brain with blood, soothe the nerves and remove certain weaknesses, you as a Westerner would probably do the exercise for a moment and repeat it several times with a rush. You may strengthen the muscles which are called into action by this exercise, but you would get little of the benefits which a Yogi gets by doing it in his own way.”
“And what may that be?” (p81)
“He will do it slowly, with deliberation, and then maintain the position as steadily as he can for some minutes. Let me show you this All-Body posture, as we call it.”
Brama lies flat upon his back, hands at sides and legs together. He raises his legs into the air, keeping the knees quite straight, until they have attained about two-thirds of a right angle with the floor. He supports his back with his hands, resting the elbows on the floor. The body is then tilted completely upward, his trunk and hips becoming vertical. The chest is brought forward to touch the chin. The hands form a bracket which supports the trunk. The weight of the body is supported by the shoulders and the back of the neck and head.
After maintaining this upside down position for about five minutes, the Yogi gets up and explains its value.
“This posture brings blood flowing down to the brain by its (p.81) own weight for a few minutes. In the ordinary position the blood has to be forced upwards by the pumping action of the heart. The difference between the two ways is shown by the soothing effect of the posture upon the brain and nerves. For men who work with their minds, thinkers and students, the quiet practice of this all-body posture brings quick relief when their brains are tired. This is not its only virtue. It strengthens the sex organs. But these benefits come only if the exercise is done in our way and not in your hasty Western manner.”
“If I am not mistaken, you mean that the Yoga attitudes keep the body fixed in a state of poised stillness, whereas our Western exercise violently agitate it?”
“Even so,” agrees Brama.
A further exercise which I select from Brama’s repertory as being more within the compass of Western limbs, is one which should quickly yield to patience and practice. In this posture, the Yogi sits with extended legs, raises both arms over his head and crooks the first fingers. He bends his trunk forward, exhaling the breath while doing so, and grasps the big toes of his feet inside the hooked fingers. The right toe is caught by the right index finger, and so on. Then he slowly bends his head forward until it falls between his outstretched arms and the forehead lies flat against his things. He keeps this curious position for a little while and then gradually returns to a normal attitude.
“Don not try to do this all at once,” he warns me. “Try to bring the head a little closer to the knees little by little only; even if it takes a few weeks to succeed in this posture, once you have mastered it, it will be yours for years.”
I learn that this exercise strengthens the spine, as indeed one might expect it to do; that it removes nervous troubles caused through spinal weakness; and that it wll work wonders with the blood circulation.—pp.80-83
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