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RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

How to Sit for Meditation — Asana

Can hatha yoga help you gain the stillness you need to meditate deeply?

The third step of Patanjali’s Eightfold path is called asana, meaning how to sit with stillness. It also refers to yoga postures (asanas). The postures of hatha yoga help develop the strength and flexibility needed for meditation. Sitting for meditation in a still and comfortable manner promotes the easy movement of energy up and down the spine. Asana also means the way you stand and move through life. Explore meditation positions and other tips which enhance your ability to go deep. Hatha yoga practice can also improve your health and longevity.

All Yogas

Relate to Others with Peace and Confidence

The practice of hatha yoga improves our ability to meditate with a straight, comfortable back so that energy can easily move up and down the spine. Through yoga practices and postures, one can develop the facility to be still and comfortable in meditation. The ability to sit straight and still allows the awareness to go beyond the body during meditation.

Asana also means being honorable in your relationships with others. It is living with the concept:  The harmony of body, mind and spirit lives and expresses through me in all my relationships. Yoga practice helps you become a more aware and competent human being. You become able to relate to others with the peace and confidence you find in meditation.

  • Through the practice of hatha yoga you can improve your ability to meditate
  • Yogis seek to meditate with an erect back, so energy can easily move up and down the spine
  • Sitting still in meditation helps your awareness go beyond your body
  • There are sitting positions which help you go high in meditation
  • Asana also means standing, sitting and being honorable in relationships with others
  • Doing postures and meditating with a mat made of natural fibers such as wool, cotton or silk is recommended

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