There are many different type of yoga postures - the Asanas - Indian texts sometimes mention 840.000! Asanas are posture to be held, rather than exercises, and are performed slowly and meditatively, combined with deep abdominal breathing. These gentle movements not only reawaken your awareness and control of your body, but also have a profound effect spiritually - freeing from fears and helping to instil confidence and serenity. Unlike other forms of physical exercises, you will find yourself relaxed and full of energy at the end of a yoga session.

There are three stages to each asana - coming into the pose, holding it,and coming out of it. The real work occurs when you are holding the pose. The idea is to keep still while the position is maintained, to breathe consciously into the pose, and focus your attention to the rhythmic sound of your breathing. Once you are comfortable in a position, you can take yourself in deeper by stretching just a little further.

The postures are groupped according to the positioning of the body - standing, sitting, twisting, prone, supine, inverted and balancing. ( see benefits of asanas )