Asana is one of the six categories of practices under the discipline of yoga (Gharote, n.d.). Asanas (postures), pranayama (energy control through breathing exercises), bandhas (energetic locks) and mudras (gestures), kriyas (cleansing practices), pratyahara-dharana-dhyana (withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation), and yamas and niyamas (attitude training) comprise these six categories.
The purpose of asana practice is to prepare both body in mind for the higher practices of yoga. The purpose of yoga is to make the mind still and peaceful so that the one who practices yoga becomes selfless and useful member of society. Some of the goals of physical education is to develop an individual's personal and social behavior, and his understanding and respect for differences among people (National Alliance for Sports and Physical Education, 1992). These goals are somehow similar to the goals of yoga.
