asiasana

Asiasana is a term that appears in some yoga and movement communities to refer to a broad category of postures associated with traditional Asian practices. It is not a term with a widely agreed definition in Sanskrit dictionaries or in mainstream yoga pedagogy, and its meaning can vary between authors.

Etymology and usage: The word blends Asia with asana (Sanskrit for posture). It is not attested in classical texts, and its precise scope depends on the author, leading to diverse interpretations. In practice, asiasana is used to contrast postures presented as part of Asian traditions with those developed or popularized in Western modern yoga.

Definition and scope: There is no standardized catalog of asiasana. Some writers use it to group traditional seated, standing, or meditative postures that they associate with Asian lineages, while others apply the term more loosely to describe postures seen as originating in broader Asian cultural contexts. The lack of formal consensus means the term often serves more as a stylistic or rhetorical label than as a technical category.

Usage and reception: The term is largely found in online discussions, niche publications, and some informal training materials rather than in established scholarly or teacher-training curricula. It raises discussions about authenticity, cultural transmission, and the boundaries between traditional Asian practices and contemporary yoga.

Criticism and considerations: Critics warn that Asia’s vast diversity makes any single label problematic, risking simplification or cultural essentialism. Because of these concerns, many practitioners prefer to name postures by their traditional or widely accepted English/Sanskrit names rather than using asiasana as a catch-all category.