Originally posted in German on 3rd August 2025
by Heinz Grill
An outer development of dynamic strength, flexibility, stamina, skilful proportioning and general technical perfection in the physical exercise of yoga, the āsana, the so-called calm position, forms a very favourable basis for overall development and in addition, engagement with the deeper content with its meditative transformational character, ennobles the expression of the entire position and elevates it up to a lighter, higher creative level.
The last few months of yoga practice in Naone, which focused on generally developing the āsana, has brought very rapid success, which has been noticeable not only in terms of health, but for the whole experience and awareness of self for almost all participants. There are very many disciplines that bring spirituality to expression and enable an illuminating transformation process in people. The āsana practice, particularly in the reciprocal rhythm of practicing with specific attuning of the level of activity and harnessing the individual capabilities, has so far proved to be a very valuable experience. The whole meditation practice could never have reached the level it has achieved so far if the āsana exercises had not been practiced in such a constructive way. Above all, āsana provide the greatest possible scope for expansion of a comprehensive ability to differentiate between lasting and transient values. They form an excellent tool for viveka.
For the future, therefore, greater emphasis should be given to making progress in the āsana practice. The various physical exercises form a basic foundation for the transformation of consciousness and ultimately result in a transformation of one’s whole existence. It is best to set aims for the training courses and aims for personal practice.
On a cultural trip to Malta we practiced various āsana exercises as a group and we were able to notice how a sphere opened up in which there was a faint glimmer of a more deeply intervening soul awareness. The light, which is abundant in this southern country and brightly, even glaringly floods out over the sea and the land, took on a deeper touching of the colour and shapes, almost bringing them to life, and with each day of practice and with further consciousness-raising activities the ether sphere, the life force began to positively change. The people in the area felt this influence and a unique exchange was even possible in encounters with top-class table tennis players, so that they could distance themselves from their habitual training plan and could value the encounter more highly than the victory.
Traveling, and practicing āsana, with sacrifice dedicated to the country, with aimed thoughts and study of the conditions there, can enhance both the culture as well as the peaceful sphere.
The only completely flat and level place to practice āsana was a block of concrete from which one had to be careful not to fall off. A few āsana are demonstrated here on the beach in swimwear.
HiTT Malta Table Tennis Academy
