Āsana is a very important feature of Yoga. The correct way of performing āsana will assist notonly in preparing a sadhaka for higher practices of yoga but will also help in a better assessment of efficacy of these practices in alleviating various ailments. The Yoga literature has many references regarding the proper performance of Yogic practices. With regard to āsanas, the Yogasūtras (Prayatnaśaithilyānantasamāpattibhyām-Chapter 2 Sũtra 47) of pataňjali says that the twin methods of Prayatnaśaithilya and Anantasamāpatti help the proper practice of āsanas. This article focuses on the first among the two methods mentioned above, ie Prayatnaśaithilya. The term generally means' slackening of effort'. Is it possible to attain a firm and comfortable posture by slackening effort? This article is an attempt to address this question by consulting the traditional Sanskrit commentaries and sub-commentaries of Yogasũtras. After …