Yoga-Sastra recognizes the interdependence of body and mind. It holds that the influence of the mind on the body is far more profound than the influence of the body on the mind. The mind has the strength to rise superior to all the influences of the body. Physical training can never give the desired results until and unless it is backed up by mental training. Yamas (the codes of social conduct) and Niyamas (the codes of personal conduct) are mental exercises and are therefore given precedence before asanas.
Asanas form the third limb of the Ashtang Yoga of Patanjali and they are divided into two principal groups – Cultural and Meditative. The practice of yamas and niyamas along with cultural poses maintain the nervous system, the endocrine system, the respiratory system, the spinal cord and the visceral organs in excellent health because there is a shift towards parasympathetic function of the Autonomic Nervous System resulting in lightness and flexibility in the body.
Pranayamas are yogic breathing patterns. They work on the emotional aspect of one’s personality, and together with asanas bring about a psycho-physiological balance. The aspect of mind which most powerfully affects the body and especially the nervous and the endocrine systems is its emotional side. The practice of Pranayama influences our moods and emotions favourably and hence have a therapeutical value. A correction on the level of Prana (bio-energy), results in the correction on the psycho-physiological level, because one achieves a total control over the vital force which governs the proper functioning of the body’s life processes. The practice strengthens the respiratory system, the cardio-vascular system and the body immunity which is extremely important for maintaining the quality of life and healthy living.
The meditative poses reduce the metabolic activity of the body to a minimum and thus get the mind freed from all the physical disturbances, so that it can be left to itself and be brought to a point, making concentration required for Dharana, Dhyan and Samadhi possible.