Yogic inversions— a brief account

-- Dr. Parimal Devnath

12B174-Valvan,

Lonavla, Pune, India.

 

 

Asanas or Yogic postures make a special practice among all Yogic curriculums.  As physical exercises Asanas are unique in many ways.  As methods of exercises, Asanas stand apart from all other forms of exercises.  Even though the word Asana generally means a sitting posture or a seat, it is observed that most of the Asanas do not essential involve sitting.

 

Human body can take at least six different positions which are:  sitting, prone lying, supine, inversion, standing, sideward lying.

 

(The text of Asanayoga, an MS describing more than 100 Asanas, classifies Asanas according to certain body positions which are:  a. Uttana asana (supine), b. Nyubja asana (prone lying), c. Sthanasana (sitting), d. standing asanas, e. Rajvasana (Asanas performed with help of rope), f. Surya-candra-bheda (Asanas done on left and right sides).  This text conveniently misses out on inverted postures).

 

It is noteworthy to see that Yoga Asanas are practiced in all these positions of the body.  Yet, all the postures adopted in all these position including those done with help of a rope are essentially called as Asanas.  It is understandable that Asanas can be practiced in various positions of the body.  But very odd position that can be suggested for any posture would be an inverted position.  For the simple reason that inversions are not easily adoptable by the human body and moreover there is a degree of risk involved.  Maintenance of balance in almost all inversions is quite necessary, especially those done on hands and head. This may be the reason why no other physical cultural programme in any of the human cultures has ever thought of suggesting inversions.  Thus inversions are special contributions of Yoga tradition alone. 

Yoga has a long list of inversions starting from simple to very complex practices which are aimed at deriving special benefits.

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