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Yoga (Asanas)

There are 8 (eight) limbs of Yoga as described in the Yoga Sutras (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali). This makes it an eightfold path. These are the limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. Only one limb, the third (Asana) holds a primary focus on the physical postures or poses. This is the limb that most in the West are familiar with. The rest are focused on harmonizing the inner life and the outer life through moral/ethical guide and meditation, self reflection, observation and contemplation of God- Brahman/Ishvara, the true self not limited to the individual (Atman)- the unchanging reality, the universal spirit which resides in all existence.  

Yoga promotes and cultivates many things more than just physical training, like eating healthy, disciplining the mind, non-harm and the forgiveness of the self and others, for example. 

Asanas: 

Asanas are postures that one holds for an extended period. They are meant to focus the mind and cultivate a meditative state and discipline. Yogic poses, or Asanas- should not be painful, nor should they cause restlessness. Props that support the postures are commonly used. Asanas promote not only mental discipline, tranquility, and acuity, but also physical health through the training of muscles, the draining of lymphatic fluid, and assisting in the digestive process and stimulating blood flow, to name a few of the many physical benefits. 

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