Asana Categories Flashcards
How does knowledge of the qualities and characteristics of pose categories and families inform teaching?
By considering the qualities and characteristics of these groupings, we learn how individual poses relate to — and differ from — others, thus supporting the process of choosing and sequencing asana.
Poses are chosen by the purposes they intend to serve (function) as opposed to how they look (form).
What is of primary concern when choosing or teaching a pose?
Of primary concern is the position of the spine in the pose and, thus, its general classification as a forward bend, backbend, twist and so on. This categorization provides a general sense for the purpose of the pose and therefore, in a general sense, how to sequence and teach it.
How does T.K.V. Desikachar (Movements of the Spine) categorize poses?
- Samasthiti – reference point for other postures
- Pascimatana – Forward Bends
- Purvatana – Backbends
- Parsva – Lateral Bends
- Parivrtti – Twists
- Viparita – Inversions
- Visesa – Special (includes arm balances and postures involving some unique action that does not fall within the other types)
- Mudra – Positions with the hands, head and body that are intended to elicit a particular energetic quality
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How does Silva Mehta (Yoga: The Iyengar Way) categorize poses?
- Standing Poses
- Sitting Poses
- Twists
- Supine & Prone Poses
- Inverted Poses
- Balancings
- Backbends
- Jumpings
- Relaxation
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How does Joseph LePage (Yoga Teachers Toolbox) categorize poses?
- Warm Ups
- Standing
- Stabilization
- Hip Openers
- Twists Back Bends
- Lateral Bends
- Forward Bends
- Balance
- Inversions
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How does Dharma Mittra (Asana: 608 Yoga Poses) organize poses?
- Sun Salutation & Hero Series
- Standing Poses
- Inversions
- Floor & Supine Poses
- Arm Balancing Poses
- Twists Seated Poses
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How does Ray Long (The Key Poses of Yoga) categorize poses?
- Preparatory Poses
- Sun Salutations
- Standing poses
- Hip Openers
- Forward Bends
- Twists
- Back bends
- Arm Balances
- Inversions
- Restorative Pose
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How does Mark Stephens (Yoga Sequencing) categorize poses?
- Standing Asanas
- Core Awakening
- Arm Support Asana
- Back Bends
- Twists
- Forward Bends
- Hip Openers
- Inversions
- Savasana
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What are the pose families? List examples of each.
- Tadasana Family🗻
- Tadasana, Adho Mukha Vrksasana, Plank Pose, Chaturanga Dandasana - Uttanasana Family
- Uttanasana, Padangusthasana, Padahastasana - Virabhadrasana I Family
- Virabhadrasana I, Crescent Lunge, Parsvottanasana, Parivrtta Trikonasana, Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana, Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana - Virabhadrasana II Family
- Virabhadrasana II, Exalted Warrior, Utthita Parsvakonasana, Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, Utthita Trikonasana, Ardha Chandrasana
What are the 6 movements of the spine?
Movement in transverse plane - Rotation (left, right twist) Movement in sagital plane - Extension (cow) - Flexion (cat) Movement in frontal plane -lateral flexion (left, right) e.g seated half moon(?)
What are Forward Bends?
Focus is stretching back of body
What are Arm Balancing poses?
Weight of the body is placed primarily on one or both hands or forearms
What are standing poses?
Weight of the body is placed primarily on both feet
What are Core Strengthening / Stabilization poses?
Focuses on activation of core muscles
What is a warm up pose?
Stretches, gentle dynamic movement, non-traditional asana or simple asana designed to prepare the body for more demanding postures
What are Other Strengthening & Stabilization poses?
Focuses on bringing balance to strength and flexbility
Explain neutral spine and axial extension?
Some poses have as an objective to have a neutral spine, often serving as neutralizers between poses or as meditation seats, such as Virasana.
And some poses are intended to lengthen the spine, called “axial extension” such as in Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog).
What are the physical and energetic effects of Standing Poses?
Physical E!ects
- Build strength.
- Develop stamina.
- Develop heat.
- Safely warm and open body prior to more complex poses.
- Can bring awareness to body alignment principles such as noticing feet in relation to legs and pelvis.
- Bring balance to body with combination of strength-building and opening
What are the energetic effects of Standing Poses?
- Feel grounded and stable.
- Increase confidence from “standing on your own two feet.”
- Feel emotionally centered.
- Establish connection to earth element.
- Awaken Muladhara (Root) Chakra.
- Draw awareness into the subtle body.
- Strengthen lower energy centers.
- Create a sense of presence.
- Stimulate central nervous system.
- Increase alertness.
Describe sequencing considerations for Standing Poses.
Generally sequenced early in class and can be used to increase circulation, build heat and prepare the body for deeper practice.
- great place to start for those coming from an active day or from a period of prolonged sitting.
- Poses of this category are an excellent entry point to body awareness as they bring attention to annamaya kosha, the outermost physical layer of being. They can then help transition the body and mind from the external to the internal experience.
What is forward bending?
Forward bending is the act of moving the chest and thighs toward one another.
We can practice forward bends from a variety of foundations, including standing, seated and supine.
All forward bends stretch the back of the body.
What is the anatomical term for forward bending?
The anatomical term, “flexion” refers to decreasing a joint angle. “Spinal flexion” is the anatomical term for forward bending.
What are the physical effects of forward bends?
- Stretch, lengthen, “open” back side of body.
- Increase space and circulation between vertebrae.
- Release tension and improve circulation in ankles, feet, legs, knees, hips, back and neck.
- “Stimulate” or “massage” abdominal organs, which then stimulates digestion, elimination and reproduction.
- “Rest…the heart.” (Donna Farhi)
What are the energetic effects of forward bends?
- Provide “cooling,” calming, quieting effect.
- Restore nervous system.
- Turn senses inward.
- Draw focus to present moment.
- Awaken and balance lower chakras: muladhara, svadhisthana and manipura.
Describe the sequencing considerations for forward bends.
The intensity of stretch in various forward bends can range from relatively mild—in such poses as Apanasana— to quite deep—as in
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend).
When sequenced earlier in class forward bends tend to be mild, of course, helping to prepare for other poses while providing a gentle energetic arc to class. When sequenced near the end of class, they may be deeper stretches while energetically providing a cooling and quieting effect.
It is often advised to sequence standing poses prior to deep seated forward bends because of the hip opening and mobility required to enter these poses safely.
Hip stretching helps prepare for forward bends.
Students may find that it helps to soften the knees during forward bends (especially at the beginning of class) in order to gradually create space in the back body as the spine is mobilized.
What is the primary effect of Backbends? What is the secondary effect, present in active backbends?
Backbends can be practiced from a variety of foundations, including standing, kneeling, supine and prone.
Backbends stretch the front of the body.
The secondary effect, present in active (as opposed to passive or restorative) backbends, is a strengthening of the back muscles.
Define the term “spinal extension”.
The term “spinal extension” means reducing the spinal curves or lengthening the entire spine. It refers to the relationship of the spinal curves to each other while the phrases “forward bending” and “backbending” refer to particular movements through space.
What are the physical effects of backbends?
- Stretch front body.
- Strengthen back body.
- Reverse habitual patterns and improve posture, alleviating the effects of sitting, driving and being hunched over desks and devices.
- Some poses stabilize relationship between sacrum and pelvis.
- Improve breathing from expanding chest and rib cage.
- Stimulate kidneys.
What are the energetic effects of backbends?
- Awaken nervous system.
- Provide uplifting and stimulating effect.
- Build courage and stamina.
- Can also cause feelings of vulnerability and fear.
- Provide awareness and connection to an unseen area of bod.
- May create a sense of empowerment.
- Said to open anahata chakra.