09/21/2026
Wait… yoga wasn’t originally about poses?
Asana is the third limb of yoga, described by Patanjali as Sthira sukham asanam.
“Posture is steady and comfortable.”
This teaching invites us to explore the relationship between sthira (steadiness) and sukham (ease). Asana is one part of a larger pathway that guides us from the external world toward the inner self, preparing us for pranayama, relaxation, and meditation.
Many of us associate yoga with a workout. We may feel we need to be flexible, achieve a certain shape, or push a little further. But what if the practice was less about how a pose looks and more about how we experience it?
When we experience the true meaning of asana, sthira creates steadiness, strength, and stability, while sukha leads us toward ease, softness, and comfort.
This is one of the things I love about restorative yoga. We have an opportunity to practice being instead of doing, exploring what it feels like to move toward ease while remaining steady and alert.
The closer we move toward ease, the more balance we create and the further we move from dis-ease.
The physical practice can help us prepare for stillness. Meditation gives us an opportunity to continue that journey inward.
Yoga isn't about performing a perfect pose. It's a practice of listening and guiding us back to ourselves.
My new blog post explores the meaning of asana and how we can bring more steadiness and ease into our practice.
Read through the link in bio or visit https://www.heartshineyoga.com/blog/what-is-asana
