Our goal should not be to place our body in the position of an asana. Rather, we must seek to develop the strength and flexibility that will enable us to assume such a position. That is, the goal should not be the asana itself but the attributes of the physical fitness that are implied in the ability to assume that body position. This is a crucial distinction, for it is possible to assume some asanas without developing such fitness. To focus on achieing the ideal form of an asana without paying adequate attention to the effect of the practice on the structural qualities of the body is to lose sight of the true goal of asana practice. ~Mohan