Yoga Exercises – Yoga Asana Guide

An overview of the Hatha yoga exercises from the Arhanta Yoga class

The following yoga sequence for beginners was compiled by Arhanta Yoga based on the yoga sequence of Swami Sivananda, one of the most famous Indian spiritual leaders. Swami Sivananda (1887-1963) lived for most of his life in Rishikesh, India. He was a doctor who gave up his career in medicine to devote his life to Yoga and the spreading of Yoga. The original sequence of Swami Sivananda consists of 12 yoga exercises or asanas. Each one of these asanas stimulates a certain chakra, starting from the Crown Chakra (Sahastrar Chakra) to the Navel chakra (Svadishthan Chakra).

Classical Hatha yoga asanas versus modern yoga asanas

Arhanta Yoga follows the tradition of Swami Sivananda, but has added five yoga poses in this series for a more complete yoga practice. The exercises in this sequence are classical Hatha yoga asanas. The main difference between classical yoga asanas and modern yoga asanas is that the classical postures work on the internal organs. They aim to keep the body healthy by stimulating and balancing function of the organs. Modern yoga exercises on the other hand have as main objective to develop muscles and flexibility. The purpose of a practicing yoga has shifted gradually over the years from the health of the body to the appearance of the body. Below you can also read an article by Yogi Ram on the question: How to practice asanas correctly?

The structure of a classical Hatha yoga class

The Yoga exercises explained below don’t form a complete classical Hatha yoga class. Besides yoga postures, a Hatha Yoga class also includes moments of relaxation at the beginning and end of the class and in between the different poses. After a short initial relaxation, the class always starts with breathing exercises like Kapalbhati (Breath of Fire) and Anumom Vilom (Alternate Nostral Breathing). These breathing exercises help to clear the mind, improve concentration and allow the practitioner to experience the following asanas or yoga exercises with more awareness. Subsequently, it is important to warm up the body in preparation for the upcoming asanas. Therefore we always do the sun salutation. Optionally, you can add some extra warm up exercises such as double leg raises or Dolphin.

The following sequence of yoga exercises, is structured in such a manner to stimulate all the chakras, starting from the crown chakra in Headstand (Sirsasana) to the root chakra in Mountain Pose (Tadasana). In order to benefit to the maximum of a yoga class and to give rest to the body after the practice it is important to finish each class with a well-deserved and healing relaxation.

Yoga exercises and poses – Explanation and pictures

Below you can find a detailed explanation of the yoga exercises for beginners. Step by step, all the asanas are explained and accompanied with some pictures for more clarity. Moreover, the benefits of each yoga pose are also explained to allow you to consciously experience each asana. To avoid wrong practice and injuries, you can find in the explanation of the yoga exercises common mistakes and contra indications when practicing a pose.

These explanations can help you during your yoga practice at home and they can help yoga teachers in preparing their yoga classes for beginners. A gentle warning for those who practice yoga at home: to prevent injuries it is advisable to practice some of the yoga poses with the guidance and assistance of a teacher. It is also important to note that if you suffer from a particular problem, such as insomnia, you need more than only the yoga exercises to solve this problem. Even though each asana works on a particular body part, it is the totality of these yoga poses which has an overall positive effect on your body.

Sun Salutations – Surya Namaskar

The Sun Salutation is an ideal series of exercises to warm up the body in preparation for the upcoming yoga postures. Moreover, the fluid movements of the body in harmony with the breath help you to prepare mentally and to bring your focus on your body and your breath.

Headstand – Sirshasana

The Headstand is one of the most intensive and beneficial yoga poses because of the body’s inverted posture. Sirshasana, also known as the ‘King of asanas’, requires strength and balance but mainly concentration and body control.

Shoulderstand / Candle – Sarvangasana

Shoulderstand or Candle is known as the ‘Queen of asanas’. This yoga pose stimulates the thyroid gland and as a consequence effects the entire body. Hence the name Sarvangasana, which literally means “all limbs pose”.

Plough Pose – Halasana

The Plough is a perfect posture to practice after the Candle because it continues the stimulation of the thyroid gland. Moreover this yoga exercise also works on the lower back and the hamstrings giving both body parts an intensive stretch. It is important to keep supporting the lower back with the hands until the feet can touch the floor comfortably.

Bridge Pose – Setubandhasana

After compressing the chest in the Shoulder Stand and afterwards in the Plough, the Bridge is a commonly used counter pose to open the chest again. This yoga exercise stimulates the thyroid gland as well as the liver and the spleen.

Fish Pose – Matsayasana

The Fish Pose provides a stretch to the neck and opens up the chest. This counter pose after the Candle stimulates the benefits of the previous postures. Deep yogic breathing is stimulated and with each inhalation the chest opens up more and more.

Cow Face – Gomukhasana

The Cow Face improves flexibility of the shoulders and stimulates a good posture. This yoga exercise is especially beneficial to people who spend a lot of hours in front of the computer and have developed kyphosis (rounding of the upper back).

Seated Forward Bend – Paschimottanasana

The Seated Forward Bend or Seated Forward Fold stimulates the blood flow in the spine. The abdominal region is compressed and as a consequence the organs are stimulated and the digestion is improved.

Inclined Plane – Poorvottanasana

Inclined Plane is a very common yoga posture used as a counter pose after the Seated Forward Bend. This exercise opens the chest and strengthens the shoulders, arms and wrists.

Cobra Pose – Bujangasana

Cobra Pose is a very beneficial pose to strengthen the back muscles. Because the abdomen is pressed into the ground as you try to lift the upper body higher the organs as well as the digestive system is stimulated.

Locust Pose – Shalabhasana

The Locust Pose improves the flexibility in the neck and strengthens the lower back, the buttocks and the thighs. It also improves the blood flow in the abdominal region. It is important not to hold the breath when you are in the pose but to continue breathing naturally.

Bow Pose – Dhanurasana

Bow Pose is an intensive pose which is held maximum 10-20 seconds for beginners. This exercise improves the flexibility of the spine as well as the strength of the spine, the legs and the arms. It also helps to reduce excess belly fat.

Crow Pose – Kakasana

The Crow Pose improves concentration and balance and strengthens the wrists and arms.

Triangle Pose – Trikonasana

The first standing pose in this sequence is the Triangle Pose. This sideward asymmetric pose is very powerful and beneficial for both beginning and advanced yoga practitioners. It improves the flexibility of the spine, the hips and the legs.

Tree Pose – Vrikshasana

The Tree Pose is a very popular pose which improves concentration and balance. This pose can only be held steadily when the mind is calm and focussed. For beginners it is advisable to keep the eyes open but advanced practitioners can also try to close the eyes.

Mountain Pose – Tadasana

A Classical Hatha Yoga practice is usually concluded with the Mountain Pose. This pose gives a nice stretch to the spine and improves body posture and balance.

The right way to practice yoga asana

By Yogi Ram

Before you can start – The importance of a good preparation

Just like in any other practice, also when you want to practice yoga, it is important to be properly prepared. A good preparation allows you to have a holistic and safe asana practice. It is very common that yoga practitioners don’t manage to have maximum benefit from their practice. This is due to negligence of the following simple yet important factors:

1. Creating a proper environment

A proper environment and setting are very important and can have a big impact on the body and the mind during yoga asana practice. It can make the practice either more smooth or more difficult. It can affect the reaction of the body to the postures. And it can also affect the tension and stress of the body. The following aspects are important to consider when practicing yoga asana:

Time

Traditionally, yoga asanas were practiced either during Brahmamoorta (sunset) or Sandhya (sunrise). At this time of the day the energies are calm and temperature is soft. Even though sunset and sunrise are the ideal times of the day to practice yoga asana, it can be done at any time of the day when you are not tired or sleepy. Another important thing to consider is not to practice asanas within two hours after a main course.

Space

The space which you use for your asana practice is very important. Ideally it should be an open, tidy space, free from any distraction. There should be enough space around the yoga mat and above the head. It is ideal if you can practice yoga in an open space like a garden or the beach. However this is not possible for everybody at every time of the year. A good thumb rule for a proper practice space is that it should have enough natural light and be properly ventilated.

Temperature

The temperature of the space you use affects the body and the mind. If it is too cold, the muscles can’t warm up enough and they remain tight. As a consequence, the mind becomes dull and lazy. If the body gets too much strain when in that condition, the chances of overload and injury increase. On the other hand, when the temperature is very hot, the muscles become loose and they easily get overloaded because you tend to push too much and go too far. The perfect temperature is not too warm and not too cold. Or, in simple terms, you should feel comfortable wearing a t-shirt without needing either a sweater or a fan. That is the ideal temperature for a yoga practice.

Clothing

Traditionally asanas were practiced wearing only a Kaupinam, or a rectangle linen or cotton cloth tied around the hips and genitals. It is good to wear clothes made up of natural materials which allow the skin to breathe and perspire. The clothing should not be too tight and shouldn’t be made up of synthetic materials.

2. Physical condition

Hatha yoga postures should not be practised while you are severely sick. It is also better if you are not too tired. You could then use the wrong muscles during asanas which can lead to injuries. But adapted, more relaxed exercises can be healing if you practise them under guidance of a competent teacher, if you are chronically tired or sick. Asanas should be performed after emptying the intestines and on an empty stomach.

3. Mental Condition

According to Maharishi Patanjali, asanas should be performed with a mind free of longings, worries, anger of fear. For a good practise, it is advised to have a calm and serene set of mind. Keep your goal in mind during practise and don’t worry about competition, approval or giving a show.

Bend but don’t break – How to prevent injuries

Even though yoga is considered to be a very safe practice, I have encountered many injuries during asana practice in my career as a teacher. Sometimes injuries take place due to an incompetent teacher and sometimes because of the mistakes of the practitioner himself. During the practice of asanas, the following principles should be respected in the back of the mind at all times. They are essential for a sustainable health and wellbeing concerning yoga practice. I would suggest every yoga teacher and yoga practitioner to use them as the foundation of a healthy and healing asana practice.

1. The principle of individual difference

Just as every person and every mind is unique, similarly everyone responds differently to yoga, both on a physical and on a mental level. Motivation, coordination, endurance, physical and mental condition as well as body structure differ from person to person. These elements have a crucial influence on the effect of yoga practice to each individual. As a consequence, there is not one perfect alignment and duration of an asana which should be applied to every practitioner.

2. The principle of overload

According to this principle, the physical condition of the body improves by optimal overload. Therefore a yoga practitioner should exercise more tension or strain to his or her body than normal. This overload can be applied by increasing the duration of a pose or by increasing the difficulty of the asanas.

3. The principle of progression

This principle states that there is an optimal level of overload to be applied by each practitioner. If the overload is too intensive or applied to quickly, there is an increased risk of injury and decreased possibility for improvement. The thumb rule of progression implies that in the beginning, the extra load should be careful and gradual. If this is not the case, there is a high risk of overload and injury.

4. The principle of adaptation

According to this principle, the body adjusts in a predictable manner to the increased hold or complexity of the asanas. By the repeated practice of the yoga poses, the body adjusts to the overload. When the practitioner feels comfortable with his/her yoga practice, it is time to adjust and modify the schedule to stay in line with the principle of overload. This will allow the practitioner to keep improving in strength, flexibility, balance and stability.

5. The principle of use and disuse

The foundation of this principle is: “Use it or lose it”. It states that the body doesn’t remain in a stable condition; it will either improve or deteriorate. Whenever a yoga practice is abandoned, the gained strength, flexibility, balance and endurance will reduce. The overload should also be adjusted to the use and disuse of the body. When you take a break from your regular practice, it is important to adjust the practice level and to improve it again.

6. The principle of rest

By giving the body rest, we allow it to break with the “stress response” and to take on the “relaxation response”. It is important to remember that the growth happens during the resting period. How often the body needs rest depends on the body type, health and the type of exercise. Therefore the ideal amount of rest varies from person to person.

More information

If you want to learn more about Classical Hatha Yoga, how to practice yoga and how to teach yoga, you can follow a yoga teacher training course with Arhanta Yoga. These intensive 4-week courses take place several times a year at the Arhanta Yoga Ashram in Netherlands and the Arhanta Yoga Ashram in India.