When an average American thinks of yoga, almost always what will come to mind is flexibility, the act of holding a pose, and Zen Buddhism. However my experience has taught me otherwise. Yoga is not merely a teaching, it is a way of life. Yoga teaches us different techniques, habits, work ethics, and cleanliness. Every teaching in yoga is taught in different categories, these are called yama's and niyama's. For example the yama of ahimsa techies non-violence, and non-harm to others as well as oneself. I am definitely no expert when it comes to yoga but from the experiences I have had i feel that yoga is about finding stability, peace, and joy in your everyday life as well and different asana's.
Vasisthasana
English Name: Side Plank Pose
Translation/Meaning: Best, Unsurpassed
Conducting the posture
If you wish to perform this asana you must first hold a plank pose. After you are comfortable and a couple of breaths shift all of your weight over to either the right or left. Then roll on to the corresponding foot of the hand supporting you. Turn your body so that your neck is in alignment with your spine. After this step you should be facing in a 90 degree angle from the floor. After you are comfortable you may turn your head to look up and raise the arm on the top of your body. If you wish to perform the full posture you may lift the leg that is not touching the ground and grab hold of it with the arm that is facing up. Both your leg and arm should be somewhat perpendicular with the ground.
When performing this posture, like always you should engage your bundhas, open the hearts center, and have your spine in alignment. This posture requires some muscular action therefore if you cannot achieve this posture on the first try you must breathe into it.
Benefits
According to staryoga.com this pose is suppose to help with anxiety, depression and fear. It is also beneficial in the sense of strength and balance. It strengthens the arms, belly, legs as well as wrists.
Awareness
Although i do not feel any of my anxiety subsiding when i conduct this pose, I do feel like it is strengthening my core, and arms. I find it a bit difficult to hold this posture for a long while and crazy if someone can execute the full posture.
Bibliography
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/783
http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/sideplank.htm
http://www.staryoga.com/plank-side-pose
http://www.katsaksyoga.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Vasisthasana-Yoga-Pose-BKS-Iyengar.jpg
http://www.katsaksyoga.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Vasisthasana-Yoga-Pose-BKS-Iyengar.jpg
