Ashtanga Yoga means Yoga with eight processes. ashta - aight, anga - parts was outlined by Sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. In his text he describes the path of reaching the Universal self by practicing eight spiritual paths. The eight fold path consists of
Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama are classified as external cleansing methods. First a practitioner needs to perfect the first four parts and then move on to internal cleansing. Ashtanga Yoga done the wrong way can be really harmful as mentioned in the yoga-sutras. The first step in practicing Ashtanga-yoga is perfecting Yama and Niyama. Even these two are hard to practice for a normal person as the body and mind (including sense organs) are weak. Daily practice of Asanas will help in making the body and sense organs strong and provide the pathway to move forward. When the body is strong enough Yama and Niyama can be practiced.The breathing and movement of body parts helps in improving health. The Asanas help improve circulation of blood thereby removing toxins from internal organs. Sweating during the yogasanas carries these toxins out of the body. Thus by practicing Vinayasa the body become light and strong. Ashtanga Vinayasa Yoga thus purifies the body, mind and the nervous system. So, Yama, Niyama and Asanas practiced together help us to become healthier and sharpens physical and mental energies. The last four steps of Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyaan and Samadhi can then be practiced for mind control. These four steps will help in getting rid of six poisons Kama (Desire), Krodha (Anger), Moha (Delusion), Lobha (Greed), Matsarya (laziness) and Mada (ego). Practicing these eight steps in correct order will help unification of self with universe which is known as salvation (Moksha), which is the aim of this brand of Yoga. Ashtanga Yoga cannot be practiced by everybody and requires perseverance and also takes longer time for perfection. But if done perfectly it has immense benefits for the mind, body and spirit.
After perfecting Yama and Niyama Asanas need to be perfected. This is done by using Vinayasa (breath control and body movements). Each Asana has movements and particular breath control methods. Take for example the Surya Namaskar which is an Asana. It consists of nine steps and each step has body movement accompanied by breathing exercise. The first step is inhaling while raising the arm above the head and putting them together. Similarly all other Asanas will be broken down into steps known as Vinayasa.
After being a master of Asanas, Pranayama the fourth part of external cleansing can be started. In Pranayama wind (air) is used to activate energy points in the body. It is done by exhaling (rechaka), retention of breath (kumbhaka) and inhaling (puraka). The shatkriyas (Six processes) have to be practiced to go forward.
Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama are classified as external cleansing methods. First a practitioner needs to perfect the first four parts and then move on to internal cleansing. Ashtanga Yoga done the wrong way can be really harmful as mentioned in the yoga-sutras. The first step in practicing Ashtanga-yoga is perfecting Yama and Niyama. Even these two are hard to practice for a normal person as the body and mind (including sense organs) are weak. Daily practice of Asanas will help in making the body and sense organs strong and provide the pathway to move forward. When the body is strong enough Yama and Niyama can be practiced.The breathing and movement of body parts helps in improving health. The Asanas help improve circulation of blood thereby removing toxins from internal organs. Sweating during the yogasanas carries these toxins out of the body. Thus by practicing Vinayasa the body become light and strong. Ashtanga Vinayasa Yoga thus purifies the body, mind and the nervous system. So, Yama, Niyama and Asanas practiced together help us to become healthier and sharpens physical and mental energies. The last four steps of Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyaan and Samadhi can then be practiced for mind control. These four steps will help in getting rid of six poisons Kama (Desire), Krodha (Anger), Moha (Delusion), Lobha (Greed), Matsarya (laziness) and Mada (ego). Practicing these eight steps in correct order will help unification of self with universe which is known as salvation (Moksha), which is the aim of this brand of Yoga. Ashtanga Yoga cannot be practiced by everybody and requires perseverance and also takes longer time for perfection. But if done perfectly it has immense benefits for the mind, body and spirit.
- Yama (Codes of morality)
- Niyama (Rules of self purification and self study)
- Asana (The poses)
- Pranayama (Breathing Exercise)
- Pratyahara (controlling the senses)
- Dharana (Concentrating the mind)
- Dhyaan (Practicing Meditation) and
- Samadhi (Surrendering self to universe).
After perfecting Yama and Niyama Asanas need to be perfected. This is done by using Vinayasa (breath control and body movements). Each Asana has movements and particular breath control methods. Take for example the Surya Namaskar which is an Asana. It consists of nine steps and each step has body movement accompanied by breathing exercise. The first step is inhaling while raising the arm above the head and putting them together. Similarly all other Asanas will be broken down into steps known as Vinayasa.
After being a master of Asanas, Pranayama the fourth part of external cleansing can be started. In Pranayama wind (air) is used to activate energy points in the body. It is done by exhaling (rechaka), retention of breath (kumbhaka) and inhaling (puraka). The shatkriyas (Six processes) have to be practiced to go forward.
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