Mahavira's Scripture Of Health: [10.11] Yogic Postures And Health - Process Of Asanas

Now there is the question of the process of the asanas. How should we begin the order of the asanas? In Mahavira's preaching's three very important processes of the asanas have been mentioned, according to which three types of asanas are being practised:

1. The asanas practised in the stretching position.
2. The asanas practised in the sitting position.
3. The asanas practised in the standing position.

In which position should we begin practising the asanas?According to the Jaina method of sadhana, we should begin with the asanas in the stretching position. This should be followed by the asanas in the sitting position and then by the asanas in the standing position.

A prekshadhyana camp had been organised at Ladnun which was attended by a yogi from Delhi. The discussion about the asanas came up. I said, "One method of sadhana prescribes the asanas in the stretching position for a start. The same thing is mentioned in the book Manonushasanam written by the respected Gurudev".

The yogi said, "This is a very scientific order to follow. It indicates the order in which a child grows. What is the asana the child adopts in the first instance? He never starts by practising any asana in the standing position. He does it first lying down. Then that child learns to sit and then to stand. A month old child never stands. This is the law of our life. The process of the asanas begins from the time the child is in womb."