The standing asanas particularly focus
the practitioner's awareness on balancing weight equally
on both legs, extending the spine and opening out the
chest. This in turn encourages the practitioner to breathe
more fully and to release tension in the neck. Emphasis
is paid to the gaze, or dristi, and so in each posture
the gaze rests softly on a particular point. This encourages
focused attention and a quiet mind.
Finally practitioners are encouraged
to apply internal locks, or bandhas, the most important
of which is the moola bandha. Here the muscles of the
perineum are subtly drawn upwards, thus sealing the
energy within the body and guarding against injury of
the lower back and groin. The bandhas, ujjayi breath
and flowing sequence of asanas combine to create considerable
internal heat which increases physical flexibility and
facilitates the internal purification through the sweating
out of toxins.
