Exploring Asanas Beyond the Mat: Integrating the Third Limb of Yoga into Yogic Living March 29 2026

Snow Drops - Soon We Will Be Outside

We arrive this week at the third limb of yoga, the Asanas, the postures. This is the yoga that most of us know, the postures, the exercise or movement portion of the practice. For many practitioners, it is the only limb they have learned. For many years this was my total practice, I did not know that there was more. Part of my love of teaching is sharing the full practice, all eight limbs. Admittedly, the bulk of my yoga time is spent practicing physical movements, it brings me joy, however, to incorporate the study and sharing of the other seven limbs when possible (and practical). When I share parts of the eight limbs in my blog and classes, it is a learning time for me as well, encouraging me to delve into my yoga books and learn anew.

“By the sustained practice of the eight limbs of yoga, the impurities are destroyed and the light of wisdom, discrimination shines forth." ~ Patanjali, Yoga Sutras 2:28.

For many of us the word asana (postures) is synonymous with yoga. Many students are familiar with pranayama (the breath work) and some also practice meditation. When I began my teacher training and began the amazing discovery of a more full and traditional practice it was transformational for me. Science tells us how important all of these activities are to total health. Incorporating the full eight limbs (which are not done sequentially but together), helps us develop a true yogic lifestyle, one that supports overall health, mentally and physically and spiritually.  I like to think of the eight limbs as a road map to living - offering guidance on moral and ethical conduct. The limbs offer guidance for one’s physical care and health and they direct us to contemplate the spiritual aspects of our nature. I find that yoga is helping me create my best life as an individual and as a citizen of the world.

As Krishnamacharya said, "Nowadays, the practice of yoga stops with just asanas. Very few even attempt dharana and dhyana (deeper meditation) with seriousness. There is a need to search once more and reestablish the practice and value of yoga in modern times." This week we focus on the asanas and how they integrate with the other seven limbs.  

Our Practice - Seated Poses

Sukhasana or Easy Pose, Yucatan Style 🤣😅

The word Asana translates from Sanskrit as posture, “as” which means “to stay” or “be established in a particular position”.  In Patanjali’s practice, there were 5 asanas, all involving sitting.  At that time, the goal of the asanas was to prepare the body to sit still for meditation. 

‘Sthira Sukham Asanam’ is phrase that many yogis may have heard quoted from the Sutras. In practice, we strive to find the Sthira (the strength) and the Sukha (ease) in a pose. The idea of finding strength and ease in a pose, whether seated or standing, in ancient times or now, tells us that while in practice, the body should be comfortable, and the mind be steady. 

This week we will revisit some of our seated poses reminding ourselves of our yoga roots from Patanjali who likely wrote the sutras about 200 BC!

Meditating – On Our Full Yoga Practice (Asanas included)

India Learning the 8 Limbs

Keeping in mind the totality of yoga practice, it involves not only the asanas but the whole mind, body and breath connection.

 "Yoga is not a work-out it is a work-in, and this is the point of spiritual practice to make us teachable to open up our hearts and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are."  ~ Rolf Gates

"The most important thing in yoga is not the breathing technique, knowledge of asanas, or the flexibility of joints. The most important thing is to spread the rug and start practicing." ~ B.K. Iyengar

"Like a flower bud, human life has the potential to blossom fully. Blossoming of human potential to fullness is yoga." ~ Sr. Ravi Shankar

Nurturing with Food – Sourdough Tip!

Not the Focaccia, When The Bread Turns Out Good!

I don't have a new recipe for this week and have not recreated much to reshare although I did make a batch of my favorite lentil soup that I developed after being addicted to the recipe at our local falafel place. It is pretty darn close. Lately. I have been absorbed in my sourdough experiments and have gotten confident in a basic loaf of wheat white bread. I am guilty however of forgetting about rising dough overnight and over proofing it. After experiencing this more times than I care to admit, and tossing several batches over the months, I decided to find a solution for what to do with that overproof dough. Here is what I discovered: I found that greasing a flat baking pan with olive oil, spreading the over proofed dough after it warms back up to room temperature (upon discovery I threw in in the fridge for several hours), pressing my fingers in it so it looks like focaccia, flipping it over so the oil gets into all the grooves, sprinkling it with kosher salt and rosemary and baking in a 425 oven for about 25 minutes resulted in a very satisfactory focaccia. Not as high and light as some but good sliced in squares and served with soup or dipped in tomato sauce. Just in case you have had this problem! I have now started putting an alarm on my phone to remind me….

See you on the mat!

Namaste

Julia Anne