Cultural Asanas may be termed as daily physical exercise postures. The names of different cultural asana postures with their values have been mentioned in classical yoga texts like Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika and in a number of the Yoga Upanishad. These Yoga Asanas are named as cultural asanas because of their central role in forming a comprehensive physical culture of exercise and general well being.

Cultural asanas are sub-divided into physical asanas and relaxative asanas. Physical asanas greatly assist in rendering the body healthy, while Relaxativfe asanas work on the chitta (the understated aspect of consciousness) level, eliminating every physical and mental tension. They are practiced in a supine position. Shavasana and Makarasana are the two foremost Relaxative asanas.

There are three important phases while practicing cultural asanas: the phases include getting into the position, holding the position and getting out of the position. Each of the phases requires a considerable amount of time and should never be done in a hurry that may result in negative effects.

The physical cultural asanas can be divided in seven groups as follows -
* Dynamic sequences, such as the `surya pranam`
* Backward bending postures, such as the cobra, locust, or bow poses
* Inverted postures, such as the headstand or the shoulder stand
* Sideward bending postures, such as the triangle pose
* Forward bending postures, such as the sitting forward bend aka Paschimottanasana
* Twisting postures, such as the half spinal twist
* Standing postures including balancing poses, such as the tree pose

Effects of Cultural Asanas
The cultural asanas are primarily meant for culturing the body and mind. They are mainly aimed at fashioning a comprehensive physical culture and thus maintain the health of the body.The organs of human body are made up of tissues and the health of the body depends on the health of the tissues. The circulatory system can be kept in the best condition through cultural postures, which guarantee a steady supply of proper nourishment and of the internal secretions of the endocrine glands and elements necessary for nourishment of tissues.

Most of the Cultural asanas work on the abdominal part of the body. Cultural asanas require static stretching, which brings about an appropriate toning of muscles. They aid in bringing flexibility of the spine and render the back and spinal muscles stronger. Cultural asanas also enable the proper working of the vital organs in the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

The smooth functioning of the digestive system requires the gentle and automatic massage of the digestive organs that is provided by these kinds of asanas. Cultural postures like Bhujangasana, Salabhasana and Ardha Matsyendrasana keep the abdominal organs in good health and enable efficient removal of waste products. Inverted asanas like Sirasasana and Sarvangasana brings about better blood supply to the brain and ensure its health and the health of the cranial nerves serving the different organs of senses as well. Cultural asanas are excellent for keeping the spine healthy. These postures greatly preserve the health of the nerves.

Backward bending asanas stretch the abdominal muscles, tone and strengthen the muscles that control the spine. The spinal nerves, which appear from between the adjacent vertebrae, are also toned. This has positive effects throughout the body since these nerves provide energy to all the other nerves, organs and muscles in the entire body.

Forward bending asanas loosen up the back, thus maintaining good health and increase vitality. During a forward bending asana, each of the vertebrae is stretched, the nerves are stirred, blood circulation around the spine is increased and the spinal cord is nourished. The cultural asanas are very important for making the back muscles supple and strong, thus compressing and massaging the abdominal organs, including the liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines and stretching the leg muscles and tendons as well.

The spinal twist asanas nourish the organs such as the pancreas, stomach, kidneys, small intestines, liver and gall bladder, and relieve the disorders associated with these organs.

Inverted asanas overturn the action of gravity on the body, instead of everything being pulled towards the feet, the direction shifts towards the head. They also increase mental power, concentration and the capacity to sustain large workloads without strain. These inverted asanas encourage a proper supply of blood to the brain, thus, nourishing the neurons and flushing out toxins. Blood and lymph, accumulated in the lower limbs and abdomen, are drained back to the heart then again circulated to the lungs, purified and re-circulated to the parts of body. This process nourishes the cells of the practitioners. An improved blood flow allows the pituitary gland to operate more competently turning the entire endocrine system. This has a positive effect on the metabolic procedures and even on ways of thinking.

Balancing asanas improve the function of cerebellum, the brain centre that controls bodily movements. These asanas induce physical balance, stilling cataleptic movement. As the moving body attains balance it becomes more and more free to rely on other forces, such as gravity, to support and drive it. This group of practice develops a reasonable mind and is especially noted for balancing the nervous system and removing stress and anxiety.

Cultural Asanas were developed from a small body of meditative postures, and converted into a comprehensive system of physical culture. Most of the asanas are cultural asanas, and their various beneficial effects on the body have made them a vital part of yogic practice. It is from this foundation of physical and mental well being that the higher challenges in Yoga are assayed.