sthira sukhãsanam
The motionless and agreeable form of staying is Âsana (Yogic posture).
-the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 2.46
Yoga postures, called âsanas, exercise every muscle, nerve, and gland in the body. These postures not only stretch and strengthen the body but also work all of the internal systems as well. Not only does yoga make the bones healthier and stronger, and the muscles more flexible and strong, it keeps the body free from disease by strengthening the immune system. It increases circulation and lung capacity, drains the lymphatic system, and stimulates the glands.
One of the things unique to yoga is it not only teaches us how to work skillfully but also how to rest deeply. Yoga postures help the student to become aware of their own personal habits and to change these habits and transform them into habits which promote good health. The Sanskrit word âsana derives from the verb âs, which means "to sit," but also "to be present." The word âsana itself then continually reminds us it is important "to be present" when practicing the postures, to listen carefully to what our body is telling us, or asking from us from moment to moment.
JC's Standard Âsana series
Click on an âsana below to see an image of the posture(s):
- Salutation to the Sun
- Balance Series
- Eagle Pose
- Warrior Pose
- Triangular Pose
- Stomach Lifts
- Chair Pose
- Garland Pose
- Crow Pose
- Camel Pose
- Lion Pose
- The Cat Series
- Sphinx Pose
- Cobra Poses
- Locust Poses
- Bow Pose
- Stick Pose
- Head Stand
- Child Pose
- Shoulder Stand
- Plough Pose
- The Bridge
- Fish Pose
- Wind Eliminators
- Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose
- Revolved Abdominal Pose
- Lord Vishnu's Couch
- Boat Pose
- Quick Corpse
- Wheel Pose
- Seated Forward Bend
- Rowing the Boat series
- Cobbler Pose
- Heroic Posture
- Cow Face Pose
- Half Spinal Twist
- Back-Roll
- Rocking Boat
- Corpse Pose
Surya Namaskar
![mountain pose](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_mountain.jpg)
![tadasana](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_up.jpg)
![bend back, arms together](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_back.jpg)
![bend forward](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_toetouch.jpg)
![horse-riding pose](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_horse.jpg)
![downward facing dog](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_down_dog.jpg)
![upward facing dog](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_up_dog.jpg)
![downward facing dog](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_down_dog.jpg)
![horse-riding pose](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_horse.jpg)
![bend forward](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_toetouch.jpg)
![tadasana](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_up.jpg)
![bend back, arms open](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_back_wide.jpg)
![mountain pose](/yoga/images/asanas/salute_mountain.jpg)
Balance Series
![tree pose](/yoga/images/asanas/balance_tree.jpg)
![One-legged pose](/yoga/images/asanas/balance_one_leg1.jpg)
![One-legged pose forward](/yoga/images/asanas/balance_one_leg2.jpg)
![King dancer pose](/yoga/images/asanas/balance_dancer.jpg)
Garudasana
![Garudasana](/yoga/images/asanas/eagle.jpg)
Utkatasana
![Utkatasana](/yoga/images/asanas/chair.jpg)
Malasana
![Malasana](/yoga/images/asanas/squat.jpg)
Bakasana
![Bakasana](/yoga/images/asanas/crow.jpg)
Ustrasana
![Ustrasana](/yoga/images/asanas/camel.jpg)
Simhasana
![Simhasana](/yoga/images/asanas/lion.jpg)
Marjarya Vinyasa
![Marjaryasana](/yoga/images/asanas/cat1.jpg)
![Bitilasana](/yoga/images/asanas/cat_cow.jpg)
![leg-stretch](/yoga/images/asanas/cat_knee.jpg)
![leg-stretch](/yoga/images/asanas/cat_back.jpg)
![leg-stretch](/yoga/images/asanas/cat90.jpg)
![leg-stretch](/yoga/images/asanas/cat45.jpg)
![leg-stretch](/yoga/images/asanas/cat_raised_bow.jpg)
REPEAT WITH OTHER LEG
![cat-stretch](/yoga/images/asanas/cat_stretch.jpg)
Sphinx Pose
![Sphinx Pose](/yoga/images/asanas/trad_sphinx.jpg)
Bhujangasana
![Bhujangasana 1](/yoga/images/asanas/trad_cobra1.jpg)
![Bhujangasana 2](/yoga/images/asanas/trad_cobra3.jpg)
Salabhasana
![Salabhasana 1](/yoga/images/asanas/trad_hflocust.jpg)
![Salabhasana 2](/yoga/images/asanas/trad_full_locust.jpg)
Stick Pose
![Stick 1](/yoga/images/asanas/stick.jpg)
![Stick 2](/yoga/images/asanas/stick2.jpg)
Balasana
![Balasana](/yoga/images/asanas/child.gif)
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
![Setu Bandha Sarvangasana](/yoga/images/asanas/bridge.jpg)
Pavanamuktasana
![Ardha Pavanamuktasana](/yoga/images/asanas/windelim.jpg)
![Pavanamuktasana](/yoga/images/asanas/windelm2.jpg)
Paripurna Navasana
![Paripurna Navasana](/yoga/images/asanas/boat.jpg)
Quick Corpse
![Quick Corpse](/yoga/images/asanas/qcorpse.jpg)
Urdhva Dhanurasana
![Urdhva Dhanurasana](/yoga/images/asanas/wheel.jpg)
Upavistha Konasana
![Upavistha Konasana](/yoga/images/asanas/rowing1.jpg)
![Foot-to-chest](/yoga/images/asanas/row_foot_to_chest.jpg)
![Shooting the Bow 1](/yoga/images/asanas/row_shoot1.jpg)
![Shooting the Bow 2](/yoga/images/asanas/row_shooting2.jpg)
![Head to Knee](/yoga/images/asanas/row_head_to_knee.jpg)
![Rotated Head to Knee](/yoga/images/asanas/row_head_to_knee2.jpg)
![Upavistha Konasana](/yoga/images/asanas/rowing1.jpg)
REPEAT OTHER LEG
Baddha Konasana
![Baddha Konasana](/yoga/images/asanas/row_cobbler.jpg)
Virasana
![Virasana](/yoga/images/asanas/heroic.jpg)
Gomukhasana
![Gomukhasana](/yoga/images/asanas/cowfaced.jpg)
Back Roll
![back roll](/yoga/images/asanas/finish_backroll.jpg)
Rocking the Boat
![Rocking the boat](/yoga/images/asanas/finish_rockboat.jpg)
Savasana
![Savasana](/yoga/images/asanas/savasana.jpg)