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"The yogic journey guides us from our periphery, the body, to the center of our being, the soul. The aim is to integrate the various layers so that the inner divinity shines out as through clear glass." - B.K.S. Iyengar
"Self-cultivation through asana is the broad gateway leading to the inner enclosures we need to explore. In other words, we are going to try to use asana to sculpt the mind." - B.K.S. Iyengar
- Counteract effects of gravity
- Stimulate nervous system
- Balance and return spine to normal position
- Are anti-aging; counter rounded shoulders, slouched posture and hunched effects of gravity
- Known as "rising moon" of yoga for their calming effect on nervous system
- Stretch and tone muscles along entire length of spine & spinal discs
- Promote movement toward proper alignment in neutral position
- Stimulate liver & kidney function
"Much more important than these outer manifestations is the way we feel the postures and the breath." - T.K.V. Desikachar
- Strengthen and tone the entire body
- Ground one to earth
- Strengthen connection to legs & feet
- Help maintain attention
- Promote open hips
- Strengthen back muscles
- Accessible ways to stretch muscles and joints of legs and feet
- Support flexibility in the knees
- Create poise and grace
- Tone inner ear
- Calm and quiet mind by focusing on steadiness
- Build will-power
"We don't use the body to get into the pose, we use the pose to get into the body." - Bernie Clark
- Aid activities of digestive organs
- Remove tendencies toward sluggish bowel movements and relieve constipation
- Spread open the ribs so one can attain full breathing
- Release pressure on spinal nerves
- Align vertebrae
- Nourish discs
- Lengthen spine
- Balance endocrine system
- Salamba Sirsasana (Headstand, King of Asanas) stimulates pineal and pituitary glands and increases blood pressure
- Bring extra blood to brain
- Induce an elevated feeling and improve one's thinking power
- Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand, Queen of Asanas) lowers blood pressure by stimulating thyroid gland in order to balance it
- Purify the body
- Support circulatory and respiratory systems
"You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state." - Sharon Gannon