What are Yogasans?

Yogāsans are specially designed sets of exercises, involving the controlled expansion and contraction, twisting and turning, bending and straightening of the various parts of the body. They are practiced with the aim of activating, balancing, healing and maintaining the various parts of the body – the joints, organs, ligaments, muscles, etc. Yogāsans increase the flexibility of the joints and the muscles. This flexibility is the sign of life, while the reverse, stiffness, is the sign of approaching death. By the practice of yogāsans, the digestive system within the body, the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the endocrine system, all become healthy and energized.
 The Hatha Yog Pradeepika states that Yogāsans originated from God Shiv Himself, and his first disciple was Goddess Parvati. There are said to be 8,400,000 types of āsans, corresponding to each species of life. However, sages have selected a few important āsans that are sufficient for keeping human body healthy.