Everyone now knows what "asanas" are in yoga, ie the different, infinite postures of the practice of Hatha Yoga, while for the "purists" it would mean specifically the sitting posture, the posture used for meditation.

Beyond this distinction, many are unaware that to be considered an "asana", the posture must have certain requirements, such as:
– Having a phase of stillness
– This stillness should be from 1 minute to.... 3 hours !!!
– Effortlessness, or with minimal effort
– With breath control
– With the awareness of thoughts, that is, to realize if we are distracted thinking about something else.

We can therefore see that it is not enough simply to take a shape of a posture and say that we are practicing Yoga. Another important aspect of asana is that it does not start when we take the shape and much less when we come out of the posture but, when we take the decision to begin the first dynamic movement which brings us to the posture.

Let's take an example: as you are now, choose to raise the right arm, realize that you have made the decision, and the moment in which the movement begins, starting with the inspiration, try to synchronize the movement, with the breath and be aware of the sensations as you move your arm, exhaling as you bring the arm back down. After a few times, try to remain still: Relax your shoulders, with minimal effort (remember, one of the rules of an asana), become aware of your breath and stay still, feel the sensations change, move, dissolve and come again.

Understand when you choose to bring the arm down, exhale, feeling the sensations, continue without stopping. Repeat with the other arm. Feel your body. Although this is not a classic posture, you have practiced a "asana".