Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga

As described in Vedic Philosophy and Tantras, Yoga has its roots about 5000 years BC. Patanjali was a great sage who composed this path into a Darshan(Philosophy) in his book Patanjali Yoga Sutra. He depicted Yoga as a Eight Limbs or Eight Fold path. Ashtanga yoga is based on Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali. In Sanskrit, “Astha” means eight and “Anga” is limbs so it means Eight Limb path.

Yama(Principles or moral code)

Yama is the first limb of Ashtanga Yoga and basically talks about principles or moral code which have to be followed by a person who is practicing Ashtanga Yoga. It consists of following five principles.

• Ahimsa – A principle of non-violence
• Satya – A principle of Truthfulness
• Asteya – A principle of non stealing
• Brahmacharya – Continence / Celibacy
• Aparigah – A principle of non-hoarding or non possessiveness

Niyama(Personal Disciplines)
Niyama refers to the personal disciplines which a person ought to observe to attain “Siddhi”(A state of bliss when a soul unites with god ).It consists of below-mentioned personal disciplines.

• Shoucha – Purity
• Santosh – Contentment
• Tapa – Endurance
• Swadhyaya – Self study
• Eshwar Pranidhan – Dedication

Asana(Yoga Positions or Yogic Postures) – A stable and comfortable posture which helps attain mental equilibrium.

Pranayama(Yogic Breathing) – Extension and control of breath.

Pratyahara(Withdrawal of Senses)- A mental preparation to increase the power of mind.

Dharana(Concentration on Object) – Concentration of mind on one object and its field.

Dhyan(Meditation) – Withdrawing mind from all external objects and focusing it on one point and meditating on it.

Samadhi(Salvation) –  Union of Shiva and Shakti in Sahasrar Chakra (the top of the head). State of Super bliss, joy and merging individual consciousness in to universal consciousness. Union between Jivatman and Paramatman. Realizing the Bramhan (pure consciousness) or Realization of God is the ultimate achievement of Human Birth.

Purpose Of Ashtanga Yoga

The Ashtanga yoga practice intends to purify both body and mind of the person. With the practice of this yoga anything undesired (both at physical and mental level) will be weeded out from your body and your growth will be hastened. As this practice has a strong sense of purpose, you are forced to focus and grow.

Benefits of Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga offers all the benefits similar to a regular yoga practice – flexibility, strength, inner peace and stress management. It’s catching on too fast because it starts yielding results too fast and you will get really strong really fast. While in traditional yoga practice, you will start have to wait for days to notice positive changes. There is no part of the body that doesn’t work hard in this practice.

Is Ashtanga Yoga For Me?

If you love a structure and want a challenge, Ashtanga Yoga is for you. But in case you are afflicted with some crippling disease or have sensitive muscles or joints, this may not be the right practice for you.  There is strong emphasis on “getting” each pose, even if you body is not necessarily ready to move there with ease.