Lets look at the industrial revolution art mantra Again, I need to compare art historical evolution of form towards abstraction to the practice of asana to Dhyana in yoga. ( although yoga is ancient, reintroduced modern yoga as we know it, is coincidentally contemporary and parallelly developed with modern art)
Let’s start with- Picasso’s early work reflecting his mastery and deep understanding of form (object) (1st pic below- study drawing 1896.)
And his later works came to be known as cubism became revolutionary and created a whole new way of seeing an object in a way that is not perceived by our senses. ( 2nd pic- the weeping widow 1937)
When one intensely studies form such as Picasso, the evolving intellect then begins to contemplate on subtle and the sublime form that goes beyond what we experience through our five senses.
एतयैव सविचारा निर्विचारा च सूक्ष्मविषय व्याख्याता ॥४४॥
etayaiva savicārā nirvicārā ca sūkṣma-viṣaya vyākhyātā ॥44॥
( Yoga Sutras by Patanjali; Chapter I -Samadipadah)
In the same way, a yogi contemplates on the unseen -the subtle object and by doing so begins to understand the true nature of the object whether intermixed with or without sound or one’s own memories.
Now why am I comparing Picasso to yoga? Just as Picasso transformed from a talented artist to a transformational one by exploring abstraction - therefore the sublime nature of form. A yoga abhyasi is transformed into a yogi when he begins to understand the subtle and the sublime within self by progressing through the 8 limbs into one pointed focus (ekagraha) the moment when dharana becomes dhyana How does the yogi arrive at this abstraction? The subtle object that is unseen? Only after a deep exploration of form.
Asanas is an exploration of form and form follows function. Asana is studying a form and exploring its function (through one’s own body) and importantly through the process of evolution!
We have tree- Vriksha and lotus-padma we have asanas named after insects- scorpions- vrichika and Locust-shalaba and amphiibians - manduka- frog Aquatic animals-Matsya- fish Reptiles- tortoise- kurma, makara- crocodile, bujanga-cobra Birds- kukuta- cock, Bhaka-crane, Mammals- ustra-Camel, Svana-dog, Simha-lion and so on Even human embryonic stage as garbha Pinda, and then Bala-baby. We then have heros who are yogis with siddhis and such! As Hanuman and Veerabhadra and ofcourse great sages who gave us profound knowledge- an essence of our true nature and universal truth such as Vasistha, Vishwamitra and so many more. Asanas of Avatars are also explored as a transformational form. A yoga abhyasi explores form of all creatures in the evolution process from the smallest insect to the courageous and brave, physically powerful to the highest human intellect. Only when the abhyasi has deeply personally studied form and understands its evolutionary function does he/ she begin the process of contemplation with breath ( pranayama) and then dharana which -with persistence then leads to dhyana and the abyasi is transformed into a yogi as he/ she has developed the process of negating the senses, abstracting form and contemplating on the sublime nature of self with a deep one point focus called Ekagraha.