Walking the Eightfold Path: Part 3 | Asana

Welcome to the Third Limb

As we continue exploring the eight limbs of yoga, we now arrive at the third: Asana. For many modern practitioners, especially in the west, asana is the most familiar limb—often the gateway into yoga itself. It’s the poses we see on studio posters and wellness websites, the sequences we follow in classes or home practice.

But like all things in yoga, asana holds far more depth than meets the eye.

In the West, yoga (Asana) is often equated with exercise or flexibility. And while the physical benefits are certainly real, the true purpose of asana reaches inward—toward stillness, presence, and connection with something greater than ourselves.

This blog series will invite you to slow down, breathe, and experience asana as a sacred, living practice—especially relevant and supportive as we move through midlife and beyond.

The Commercialization of Yoga

In the West, yoga has often been repackaged through the lens of fitness, fashion, and fast results—its sacred roots obscured beneath branded mats, sculpted bodies, fancy outfits and curated lifestyles. While these images may inspire some to begin their journey, they can also limit our understanding of what yoga truly offers.

The commercialization of yoga may have also created a culture that is unauthentic! Seeking the external from social media 'likes', rather than internal divine presence.

At its heart, yoga is not a product to consume but a path to live—one that invites us inward, toward presence, humility, and union. Asana is not about achieving the “perfect pose,” but about inhabiting the body as a temple for awareness, reverence, and breath.

Reclaiming yoga from commercialism means remembering that it’s not what the practice looks like, but how it feels, transforms, and roots us in something deeper than image.

What Is Asana, Really?

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, asana is defined not by strength, endurance, or aesthetics, but by a simple yet profound statement:

“Sthira sukham asanam”
(Posture should be steady and comfortable)
— Yoga Sutra 2.46

Here, Patanjali is not referring to the endless variety of poses we practice today. In his time, asana meant the meditative seat—a stable, easeful position that supports inner stillness.

Over time, the term evolved to include a wide range of physical postures. Yet the core idea remains: asana is not about how a pose looks, but how it feels. It’s not a performance, but a preparation—for breathwork (pranayama), meditation (dhyana), and ultimately, liberation (samadhi).

Asana as a Living Practice

For those of us walking the yogic path in our 50s and beyond, asana becomes an even more powerful teacher.

• It reminds us to honor our bodies, not override them.
  

• It invites us to move with intention, not ambition.
  

• It helps us cultivate both stability (sthira) and ease (sukham)—on the mat and in life.
  

When approached mindfully, asana becomes a moving meditation—a dialogue with our inner landscape. We begin to notice: How do I breathe when I feel unsteady? Where do I resist softness? Where do I brace against fear? Can I find space even in discomfort?

In this way, asana becomes a practice of awareness, a mirror for the inner self.

Why Asana Still Matters

For midlife practitioners, asana holds gifts that not only assist with our physical health, but goes well beyond the physical:

• It supports mobility, balance, and strength as we age. Key ingredients for an enjoyable retirement.
  

• It helps us reclaim presence during transition in a world that pulls us outward.
  

• It offers a compassionate space to feel, release, integrate and transform.
  

And perhaps most beautifully—it becomes the place where all the other limbs of yoga come alive. The Yamas and Niyamas aren’t just ideas; they are felt in how we move, how we breathe, how we rest.

• On the mat, we practice ahimsa (non-harming) by listening to our limits.

• We practice Santosha (contentment) by embracing what is.

• We practice Ishwara Pranidhana (surrender) by softening into trust.

The commercialism of yoga will come and it will go. The fashions will also come and go, just like the leg warmers and headbands of past fitness fads! Yet, although yoga is thousands of years old, when practiced traditionally, it never becomes dated. The truths of yoga are always current!

Finding an Authentic Teacher

In a time when yoga has become a global industry, it’s important to remember that a true yoga teacher is not defined by their flexibility, followers, or style—but by their presence, humility, and depth of practice.

• An authentic teacher is someone who embodies the teachings both on and off the mat.

• Who teaches not to impress, but to invite others inward.

• They offer a space of safety and respect, meeting students where they are without ego or expectation.

• Look for teachers who speak from experience, not just training.

• Who honor yoga’s roots while making it relevant and accessible.

• Who remind you that your body is wise, your breath is sacred, and your path is your own.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming weeks, we’ll explore different dimensions of asana, including:

• Adapting the practice to suit aging bodies and changing energy
  

• How asana works with the breath and nervous system
  

• Seasonal and elemental approaches to movement
  

• Asana as a bridge between the physical and the sacred
  

Whether you’re new to the mat, been a long term practitioner, or returning with fresh intention, I invite you to join me in rediscovering asana—not as a pose to achieve, but as a pathway home.

A Quote to Reflect On

“The body is my temple, asanas are my prayers.”
— B.K.S. Iyengar

Weekly Reflection Prompt

As you move through your asana practice this week, ask yourself:
“Where can I soften, and where do I need to root?”

Stay tuned for next week’s post:
Asana and Aging Gracefully: Honoring the Body’s Wisdom

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References & Inspiration

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda

Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar

Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi

The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar

Personal reflections and teachings from the Sageview Wellness community