Asana originally meant a sitting position.

The word asana in Sanskrit does appear in

many contexts denoting a static physical position, although traditional usage is specific
to the practice of yoga. Traditional usage defines asana as both singular and plural. In
English, plural for asana is defined as asanas. In addition, English usage within the
context of yoga practice sometimes specifies yogasana or yoga asana, particularly
with regard to the system of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. However, yogasana is also
the name of a particular posture that is not specifically associated with the Vinyasa
system, and that while "ashtanga" refers to the eight limbs of Yoga delineated below,
Ashtanga refers to the specific system of Yoga developed by Sri Krishnamacharya at
the Mysore Palace.
Yoga first originated in India. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes asana as the third
of the eight limbs of classical, or Raja Yoga. Asanas are the physical movements of
yoga practice and, in combination with pranayama or breathing techniques, constitute
the style of yoga referred to as Hatha Yoga.[7] In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes
asana as a "steady and comfortable posture", referring specifically to the seated,
meditative postures used for meditation practices. He further suggests that meditation
is the path to samādhi; transpersonal self-realization.[8]
The eight limbs are, in order, the yamas, niyamas, asanas ,pranayama ,pratyahara,
dharana,dhyana ,and Samadhi.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF ASANAS
Meditative Asanas are the postures one assumes in order to sit or stand comfortably
for extended durations, enabling one to concentrate and meditate without
interference from muscle proprioceptors. The idea behind meditative Asanas is
merely to position oneself in such a way so that one's limbs cease to send stimuli to
the mind, allowing the practitioner to concentrate on meditating.
Shavasana and Makarasana are two important relaxative asanas, which bring
about relaxation of the body and mind. This is mentioned in the Hatha Yoga
Pradipika and it has also been added that these asanas are practiced in supine and
prone position of the body respectively. This is not only a resting posture or sleeping
condition but a conscious relaxation. It is also not an idle or a lazy state of mind. On
the contrary Shavasana makes the individual more fresh and energetic. It
overcomes physical as well as the mental fatigue or exertion. Relaxation in
Shavasana renders the mind more calm and tranquil.
Cultural Asanas may be termed as daily physical exercise postures. The names of
different cultural asana postures with their values have been mentioned in classical
yoga texts like Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika and in a number of the
Yoga Upanishad. These Yoga Asanas are named as cultural asanas because of their
central role in forming a comprehensive physical culture of exercise and general well
being.
Physically, the practice of asanas is considered
to:
•improve flexibility.
•improve strength.
•improve balance.
•reduce stress and anxiety.
•reduce symptoms of lower back pain.
•be beneficial for asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)
•increase energy and decrease fatigue.
•shorten labor and improve birth outcomes.