The Popular Ashtanga Yoga
Yoga as in the ancient Hindu texts is clearly indicating various forms and types of yoga. These scriptures are held sacred by almost every Hindu and some practice Ashtanga Yoga which is one of the most popular schools of yoga in the scriptures which is gaining high popularity these days. Ashtanga literally means “eight limbs”. These eight limbs describe how to live judiciously and form a more purposeful life. These eight limbs are yama, niyama, asanas, breath control, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and the transcending self. It is part of a basic necessary direction for moral conduct and self-discipline. The Ashtanga yoga poses directs persons to their health and acknowledges their need for spiritual growth.
Yama: This stage is about our ethics and sense of integrity focusing on how we conduct ourselves and our own behavior. These are universal practices like, “doing to others as they would have done onto you.”
Niyama: This stage is about self-discipline and how we observe spirituality. Going to temple, taking contemplative walks, saying grace before meals, developing personal meditative practices are part of niyama.
Asanas: This stage comprises practicing the postures (asanas). Therefore, the practice of postures (asanas) is an important stage where the body is acknowledged and considered to be the temple of spirit. It is an important stage where an individual develops habit of concentration and self-discipline.
Breath Control: This stage is including all practices and techniques for breath control, respiratory processes and recognizing this as an important step. The mind, emotions and breath are connected and this part is essential for breath control.
Pratyahara: This stage considers the awareness of withdrawal or sensory transcendence. This stage is when we take our focus away from outside and external world. It is here that one achieves the objective of watching over senses and habits that are being formed.
Dharana: This stage is about practicing concentration. One can concentrate on image of deity, specific energy center in the body or simply repeat the sound or mantra. During meditation it is an important step, therefore dharana is important step in this direction.
Dhyana: This stage which is about uninterrupted flow of concentration (dhyana); puts the individual into a seamless or steady concentration without interruption. The previous stage is about one-pointed focus and this stage is about being keenly aware without focus. At this stage the mind is quietened and no or few thoughts are produced.
Transcending Self: This stage is described by Patanjali as ‘’the stage of ecstasy’’. At this stage, the person merges with point of focus and attains a perfect and ideal stage of consciousness. Patanjali or the sacred priest in Hindu mythology during ancient times described this as an extension of what every individual aspire to achieve, i.e., peace.
Ashtanga yoga poses in the prescribed form of yoga are important part of how the individual develops his or her yoga practice in the time period which is considered according to one’s duties and responsibilities. The yoga practice puts a lot of importance to these postures as an important step to further inquiry of health, peace and spiritual salvation. This is itself unique as the person is to completely become aware of body, body strengths and weaknesses, habits and emotions.
Ashtanga yoga poses in the prescribed form of yoga are important part of how the individual develops his or her yoga practice in the time period which is considered according to one’s duties and responsibilities. The yoga practice puts a lot of importance to these postures as an important step to further inquiry of health, peace and spiritual salvation. This is itself unique as the person is to completely become aware of body, body strengths and weaknesses, habits and emotions.
Yoga is a very personal experience which can be alleviating for some and include some struggle in beginning for others. If an individual were to start this yoga system partially, then there would be six internal enemies which would crop up, desire, anger, greed, illusion, infatuation and envy. It is also said that when one would practice ashtanga yoga properly he/she would be able to find freedom in his/her heart.
References
- Mahele G, Ahstanga Yoga – practice and philosophy,Kaivalya Publications, Australia, 2006
- Yoga 136.1, Mysore, March 2011
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