Yogãsanas and the Body-Mind connection

Quoted from 'Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha' by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

The gross form of the mind is the body and the subtle form of the body is mind. The practice of asana integrates and harmonizes the two. Both the body and the mind harbour tensions and knots. Every mental knot has a corresponding physical muscular knot and vice versa.

The aim of Asana  is to release these knots. Asanas  release mental tensions by dealing with them on the physical level, acting somato-phycically, throught the body to the mind. For example emotional tensions and suppression can tighten up and block the smooth functioning of the lungs, diaphragm and breathing process, corresponding to debilitating illnesses in the form of respiratory disorders.

Muscular knots can occur anywhere in the body; tightness of the neck as cervical spondylitis, the face as neuralgia etc. A well chosen set of asanas  combined with Pranayama, Shaktkarmas, Mediation and Yoga Nidra, is most effective in elimination of these knots, tackling them from both the mental and physical levels. The result is the release of dormant energy; the body becomes full of vitality and strength, and the mind becomes light, creative, joyful and balanced.

Regular practice of asana maintains the physical body in optimum condition and promotes health even in an unhealthy body. Through asana practice, the dormant potential energy is released and experienced as increased wellbeing and confidence in all areas of life.