"Yoga is the art of observing the body, mind, and spirit. In the second chapter of the Sutras, Patanjali presents the five major impediments or klesas that an individual faces when attempting to understand and integrate one's being. The five impediments are asmita, dvesa, raga, abhinivesa and avidya, and are defined respectively as egoism, aversion, desire, clinging to life, and ignorance about the real nature of reality."
"But asanas can be approached philosophically and can indeed become a tool for learning about the Self. Hatha Yoga begins its discipline with the tool of the body because Hatha is based on the concept that, "Consciousness is manifested according to the development of the body and the mind." If this is accepted, then perhaps it can be further extrapolated that the mind is the shadow of the Spirit."
Yoga is the art of observing the body, mind, and spirit, enabling movement toward integration. Patanjali's Sutras identify five klesas: asmita (egoism), dvesa (aversion), raga (desire), abhinivesa (clinging to life), and avidya (ignorance of reality). These klesas manifest through individuals and can be brought into conscious awareness. The practice of asana can surface these impediments so their influence diminishes. Asanas can function philosophically as tools for Self-knowledge. Hatha Yoga begins with the body because consciousness is manifested according to the development of body and mind, implying the mind reflects the Spirit and asana supports the journey to understanding the Self.
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