*THEORY *PRACTICE

1.What is Asanas? <<What is asanas?>> When we say "Yoga", perhaps due to the image of "Asana", it seems that only the aspect of "calisthenics" is emphasized in present days Japan. However, differing from ordinary physical exercises, Asana is a method of physical postures which includes breathing exercises, mind concentration and retention (holing your body in a particular position). The original purpose of Asana is to make one's sitting posture (the way of crossing the legs) for meditation become comfortable and strong. It's because in order to meditate effectively, one has to keep the sitting posture for a long time, so that the joints and muscles of the body have to be flexible. <<Four Types of Fundamental Asana Positions--The basis for all types of meditation>> Asana can be roughly divided into four kinds; 1.Bending forward; 2.Stretching; 3.Twisting; 4.Making the neck flexible and strong If we do not exercise well every part of the body in our usual life, the physical balance falls in deflection. And by practicing all these Asanas, we can get rid of such imbalance. Since each kind of Asana acts on different parts of the body, the ideal would be to practice overall the 4 types of physical postures when we do Asana. 2.The effect of Asana (1)Removes abnormal laxity and excitement (2)Makes the body ready for long-hour meditation by loosening up and strengthenig the muscles and joints; (3)Restores the balance of the cerebrum, the nerves and the hormons ad rejuvenates them; (4)Adjusts the spine and purifies the Sushumna, the path for Kudalini. This promotes the awakening of Kundalini. (5)Makes one healthy and the inner organs strong, thus prepares one for the strenuous breathig exercises.   THE BENDING FORWARD ASANAS <The effects> (1)To loosen the joints and muscles and make them flexible; (2)To relax the mind and makes it easy to enter meditation; (3)To engender deep sleep. THE STRETCHING ASANAS <The effects> 1.To make you energetic both physically and mentally; 2.To give you courage and the power to decide; 3.To give you strong cocentration. THE TWISTING ASANAS <The effects> 1.As this type of Asana adjusts the spinal shear, it straightens up the Sushumma channel. Hence it makes it easy for Kundalini to ascend. 2.It cures liver and spleen diseases by removing congestion of the internal organs 3.It stabilizes the mind and makes long meditations possoble. THE ASANAS MEANT TO MAKE THE NECK FLEXIBLE AND STRONG <The effects> By promoting the blood circulation above the neck, 1.Remove stress and mental fatigue quickly; 2.Restores the balance of the hormones and rejuvenates them; 3.Tones and stabilizes the nerves; 4.Is closely connected with the Yoga of Illusory Body and the Yoga of Light Basic rules to practice Asana 1. Keep the room at a moderate temperature (If it is too cold, the body gets strained and it is hard to practice. And if it is too hot, the strength of concentration decreases and it is also hard to practice.) Also, try to choose the quietest place as possible. 2. Do not practice on excessively soft surfaces, such as bedding or mattress. 3. Except when there is any special designation, all the exhalation and inhalation should be done with the nose. However, if the nose is stuffed, you may temporarily use the mouth. 4. Do not practice immediately after meals or bathing. 5. For wearing, choose something comfortable; do not choose tight clothes, including the underwear. Also, take off your socks; it is better to do it barefooted. Take off also glasses, accessories etc. 6. If you have a stiff body, you should cut down on your intake of fat or sweet food. And if you have pain, the symptoms can be alleviated by cutting down on your intake of sweetness or by reducing the general volume of meals.