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I did a class last week where my teacher encorporated the Pawanmuktasana series to our normal postures.

I'd like to learn more about it, does anyone know why it's so good for you?

It's great for you as it works all the muscles and generally helps to warm you up before you get into harder poses. I always start my classes with a version of the series.

They are great, I love them too.

They are good for all ages and fitness levels, can be done seated on the floor or on a chair.

Pawan means 'wind' or 'prana'; mukta means 'release' and asana means 'pose' so a translation could be that pawanmuktasana means a group of postures that remove blockages which prevent the free flow of energy in the body and mind (Ref: Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati)

There are three groups of Pawanmuktasana; the anti-rheumatic group, the digestive/abdominal group and the energy block group. You will find them in the book I referenced above.

Shanti om.

LOL - wind releasing poses??? What type of wind are we talking about here...a group of postures that makes you fart?? Now you've gotta explain that one to me

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Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind - so switch your phone off!

Well, some of the poses might make you fart but here is meant as "wind" (in Sanskrit vayu or vata) energy which can get blocked in the joints of the body and by mindfully doing all these poses, the "wind" gets released and the energy can flow freely again through the body.
So rather than fart, the pawanmuktana series poses are more likely to make your joints crack - that is the sign of the releasing "wind".

LOL - I thought that was what you meant, I was only teasing

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Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind - so switch your phone off!

I actually think it was a good question - someone else might have had the same doubt.

Thanks everyone. Is there anywhere good online that you'd recommend reading up about it if I don't get the book?

There is a very scientific article about the theory of Pawanmuktasana series on Yoga magazine online at: hhttp://www.yogamag.net/archives/1997/1jan97/pawanmuk.shtml

And I have found the description of the some of the poses based on Swami Satyananda's book here:
Yoga Postures - Pawanmuktasana Part I
Yoga Postures - Pawanmuktasana Part II

I personally adore the series. It is so simple and if done mindfully and with full focus it makes a huge difference. I do it first thing in the morning even if I do not have time to practice anything else afterwards and it feels soooo good!
Enjoy!!

Where does pawanmuktasana come from - i mean what style of yoga - I've never heard of it before either? I'm assuming it's hatha, but is there a tradition that it comes from?