The varied types of Yoga Asanas are enlisted according the different parameters like their postures, methods, and objectives. Different schools of yoga classified Yoga Asanas in various ways.

One method of classification of Yoga Asanas is based on the starting position of the asanas. This is the major type of classification of Yoga Asanas or poses. The asanas are classified into four types, namely Standing, Sitting, Prone and Supine. Some schools of yoga classified Yoga Asanas on the basis of the movements of final pose of the asanas. Thus the asanas are classified into two types, namely Meditative Asanas and Cultural Asanas.

Meditative Yoga Asanas are aimed to prepare the practitioner to sit for prolonged periods of time without moving the body and without distress. When the body is steady and still in the sitting position for a long period, only then the meditation is truly experienced. Deep meditation requires the spinal column to be straight and very few Yoga Asanas can suffice to this condition. In higher stages of meditation, the practitioner loses control over the muscles of the body. Initially, people find it difficult to sit in one Yoga Asanas for a long period. However, through the regular practice, the legs and hips become flexible enough to comfortably maintain a steady posture. Some of the meditation asanas include Sukhasana, Padmasana, Ardha Padmasana, and Siddhasana.

On the other hand Cultural Yoga Asanas are meant for culturing the body and mind. These postures are primarily aimed to physical culture and thereby maintain the health of the body. Most of the Yoga Asanas come under the category of the cultural postures. The organs of human body are made up of tissues and the health of the body depends on the health of the tissues. Cultural Yoga Asanas keep the circulatory system in efficient condition, which ensure constant supply of proper nourishment and of the internal secretions of the endocrine Glands, elements necessary for nourishment of tissues. Thyroid, pituitary and the pineal glands are kept active by Yoga Asanas like Sirasasana and Sarvangasana. The smooth functioning of the digestive system requires the gentle and automatic massage of the digestive organs. Cultural Yoga Asanas postures like Bhujangasana, Salabhasana and Ardha Matsyendrasana are excellent in keeping the abdominal organs in proper health and effective removal of waste products.

Inverted Yoga Asanas like Sirasasana and Sarvangasana send a richer blood supply to the brain, thus, ensuring its health and also the health of the cranial nerves that serves the different organs of senses. Yoga asana postures are excellent spinal exercise. These postures preserve the health of the nerves. On the basis of final position and movements, Cultural Asanas can be further classified as Backward bending Asanas, Forward bending Asanas, Spinal twisting Asanas, Inverted Asanas and Balancing Asanas.

Various types of Yoga Asanas include wide range of practices. These practices provide the Yogi good health and vigour. Practicing various types of Yoga Asanas allows the sadhaka cope with the modern social problems, stress and tensions. For most of the people, the different types of Yoga Asanas are a means of maintaining health and well-being in the increasing stressful society. If one practices all the techniques mentioned above, he or she can achieve good health and well being. Yoga practices have succeeded as an alternative form of therapy in curing diseases such as asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, digestive disorders and other ailments of chronic nature. Thus the practice of different types of Yoga Asanas helps the individual to lead a happy and healthy life.