Concept of asana according to swami Swatmarama and Patanjali.
Swatmarama talks about Asana as the fundamental or primary education of Yoga. Asana is believed to help with the attainment of steadiness and calmness of the mind and the body, ridding the body of mental and physical diseases and experiencing the lightness in the limbs. Asanas create the pathway for the pranic center and open the energy channels. The practice of asanas leads to higher awareness and becoming more statute in regulating the body, breath, and mind.
Patanjali also talks about Asanas as a medium of facing mentally steady, calm, tranquil, and quiet. He emphasizes the notion of “ sthira- sukha- Asanam”, finding calmness, comfortableness, and steadiness in the practice of asanas. Making an effortless effort and facing content in the posture. The aim is to prepare one to be at be to comfortably hold an asana for a long period of time to be able to ultimately practice meditation.