22/12/2025
The Art & Science of Asana 🕉️
Every asana is a conversation between body, breath, and consciousness. Here at SWAN, our teachers guide you through the deeper purpose of each pose—not just how it looks, but what it awakens within you.
Meet Akriti, one of our experienced yoga teachers, demonstrating five essential asanas and their transformative purposes:
1️⃣ EKA PADA RAJAKAPOTASANA (Pigeon Pose)
Purpose: Opens the hip flexors, releases stored emotions, stimulates internal organs
Practice Note: This deep backbend requires patience. The opening comes from surrender, not force. Modify with bolster support until your body is ready.
2️⃣ PADMASANA (Lotus Pose)
Purpose: Traditional meditation seat, channels prana upward, calms the nervous system
Practice Note: The foundation of meditation practice. If knees are uncomfortable, begin with Sukhasana (easy pose). The stillness of mind matters more than the position of legs.
3️⃣ UTTHITA TRIKONASANA (Triangle Pose)
Purpose: Strengthens legs, stretches the spine laterally, improves balance and focus
Practice Note: This is not about touching the floor—it’s about lengthening both sides of the torso equally. Keep the chest open, gaze soft.
4️⃣ PASCHIMOTTANASANA (Seated Forward Bend)
Purpose: Calms the mind, stimulates digestive organs, stretches the entire posterior chain
Practice Note: One of the 12 classical asanas in Satyananda tradition. Forward folds are introspective—let go of reaching and allow gravity to do the work.
5️⃣ GARUDASANA / PRANA MUDRA (Eagle Pose)
Purpose: Improves concentration, develops balance, activates energy channels
Practice Note: Standing balance poses teach us about finding stability in movement. The wobble is part of the practice—breathe through it.
