we continue to practice Yoga asanas everyday, prana or chi, the force that sustains our lives, bodies, and minds, becomes accelerated and enhanced. It heightens the body's innate self-healing capacity. It transforms disease and discomfort into health and well being.
The breath deepens and calms, which in turn stabilizes and quiets the mind, which is often disturbed by external stimuli. The equilibrium of mind and body is the first blessing yoga bestows upon its practitioners.

- Sadguru Sri Mahayogi Paramahamsa

to Yoga physiology, a subtle astral body exists inside the gross physical body. In the subtle body, there are 72,000 nadis, or hollow canals resembling nerve currents where prana* flows. The sushumna, the principle nadi in the subtle body, is a hollow canal that runs through the spinal cord. Along the sushumna are seven centers of prana called cakras. The cakras relate to five physiological functions. Often the nadis are blocked by poor health or a disturbed mind (ignorance). Asana practice stimulates the cakras related to various functions such as the vital, auditory, respiratory, digestive, physiological, and metabolic systems. Asana practice heightens their efficiency and helps one to regain one's health.

*Prana is the cosmic energy in the universe (macrocosm), and the vital energy in human beings (microcosm). It is the manifestation of the original force of the universe as the life force in all creation, through which all of our physical and mental activities evolve.

The body, breath, and mind are interconnected and cannot be separated. If the mind is disturbed, the breath becomes erratic. If the mind is tranquil, the breath is calm. In Raja Yoga we use these links in the asana and pranayama* practices to control the mind.

*Prana sustains the mind's activity. Although, pranayama is usually translated as a breathing practice, its aim is to control the mind. By controlling the breath, which is the central manifestation of prana in our microcosm, we control prana. The mind is then led to a state of non-disturbance and stillness.

By focusing on slow and complete exhalations while holding a pose, one's breathing habits deepen. Simultaneously, concentration inwardly deepens. Regular practice influences the breathing habits of daily life, thus controlling the mind.

Paying attention to the breath, or controlling the breath, is of the utmost importance. Although one may be flexible, one may not have developed a habit of deep breathing. Conversely, although one may be less flexible, one's mind may be still from developing deep breathing habits.

In preparation for stable and comfortable sitting in meditation, ancient yogis developed asanas in order to strengthen and control the body, breath, and mind to prepare one to be stable and sit comfortably in meditation.

"The sitting posture is to be stable and comfortable."

- Yoga Sutra II:46

* Those with strong inclination for the other paths of yoga such as bhakti, karma or jnana, may not need to practice asana and pranayama since meditation arises naturally these paths disciplines and practices.

To practice asanas for Self-Realization, one must remain unattached to their physical benefits. The practice of Raja Yoga is the renunciation of nature. Practitioners should finish asana practice as soon as possible. The aim of asana practice is not flexibility. It is for the establishment of meditation.