The Asanas are what most Westerners typically think of when they think of yoga. From Patanjali's perspective, the goal wasn't to twist your body into an uncomfortable pretzel. You really only need to practice one posture and it can be any posture.
We often think of yoga as a physical exercise - but a centuries-old Sanskrit text, The Yoga Sutras, share teachings intended to improve both the body and mind. The author, Patanjali, makes clear that the poses and stretches are only part of picture - we also need to be kind, contemplative and grounded.
Jessamyn Stanley (yoga teacher and author of Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance) takes Dr Laurie Santos through Patanjali's text - saying its lessons "can be applied in every circumstance, no matter who you are or where you are".
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.