The classification of yoga poses has always been a discussion of yoga culture. Some yoga schools classify yoga poses as STANDING, SITTING, LYING ON BACK & LYING ON STOMACH. Although some yoga schools will be classified as: FORWAD BENDING, BACKWARD BENDING, TWISTING, INVERSIONS, EXTENSIONS & BALANCING.

Here, I want to put the traditional view on the classification of yoga poses, of which only three categories are as follows:

Cultural gesture
from

  Relaxed posture
from

  Meditation posture.

Cultural posture: All yoga postures that help stretch the body from all directions/angles are called cultural postures. By activating specific muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves, the purpose of cultural posture is to release tension in every part of the body. The influence of cultural posture is not limited to muscles and joints, they also stimulate our internal organs and help us regulate the function of our internal organs. Therefore, we can not only gain the softness and strength of the body, but also enhance the health and control of the body. These postures can be very effective because they help prevent various conditions such as back pain. All types of forward bending, backward bending, twisting, balancing, reversing and extending are cultural poses. For example: Pachimottasana [date bending forward], Bhunjasana [cobra pose], dhanurasana [bow pose], vrikshasana [tree pose], Ardhya-matysendrasana [sitting twisted], Shirshasana [inverted], etc. are cultural poses.

Relaxed posture: The purpose of these postures is to provide rest to the body between or after cultural posture exercises. Traditionally there are only two relaxation postures: SHAVASANA [The Corpse Pose] and MAKARASANA [Crocodile Posture]. Typically, the typical Hatha Yoga class ends with Shavasana because it provides a complete rest for the body, and the yoga practitioner's feet are fresher and more energetic after feeling tired. In the yoga tradition, SHAVASANA is very important because the practice of YOGA NIDRA [physical sleep] is done at SHAVASANA. SHAVASANA is also very therapeutic, and it is strongly recommended that those with high blood pressure, insomnia, etc. MAKRASANA [crocodile posture] is very beneficial to strengthen the diaphragm to activate diaphragmatic breathing. Proper breathing literally means that life is enjoyable and life is more cautious. Especially in the modern world, we can't breathe very well, MAKARASANA is very important for those who often break through the chest. We should not forget that chest breathing can cause anxiety and tension in the body. Diaphragm breathing is also an important basis for PRANAYAMA and MEDITATION.

Flexible posture: The purpose of cultural posture and relaxed posture is to prepare the body for a meditation posture. The meditation posture provides good stability and comfort to the body so that it can sit longer during meditation without any distraction. We can't forget the stability and comfort of the body, and the two complement each other. The stability of the meditation posture brings great comfort and vice versa. The meditation posture helps keep the back straight by keeping the spine naturally bent. By keeping the back straight, we allow the diaphragm to move freely and then no energy flow blockage during meditation. People can choose a comfortable meditation posture for meditation so that the proper blood flow to the lower body. According to tradition, there are 4 MEDITATIVE POSTURES: SUKHASANA, PADMASANA, SIDDHASANA & SWASTIKASANA

Note: Some traditions do recommend VAJRASANA as a meditation posture. However, traditionally it is not a meditation posture.

Classification of yoga poses was originally published on Spring