Deep Benefits of Ashtanga Yoga – 8 limbs of yoga

Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga

Yoga is much more than a physical activity. Yoga is more than a physical exercise. It’s a philosophy and way of living, as well as a science that helps you find inner balance. Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most popular schools. It is a Sanskrit word, which means eight and anga “limbs or parts”. It was first described in the Yoga Sutra by Patanjali around 2,000-years ago.

Patanjali described yoga as an 8-fold path that leads to spiritual freedom, mental clarity and physical harmony. It, unlike modern styles of yoga that focus only on the asanas (postures), integrates breath, concentration and meditation, along with discipline, ethics and breathing.

This blog will explore the definition, steps, stage, and importance Ashtang Yoga along with its training practices, asanas and Ayurvedic connection.

What is Ashtanga yoga?

It is the eight steps or limbs of yoga. It is more than just postures. It’s a lifestyle. Patanjali defined yoga as:

Yoga is the cessation and stillness of mind fluctuations.

Eight limbs are a system for spiritual awakening and self-purification.

8 Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (Yoga Has Eight Components)

Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga has eight stages. There are eight stages in Ashtanga.

1. Yama – Ethical Rules
2. Niyama – Personal discipline
3. Asana – Postures
4. Pranayama – Breath control
5. Pratyahara– Withdrawal from senses
6. Dharana – Concentration
7. Dhyana – Meditation
8. Samadhi– Union or bliss

The stages build on each other, leading the practitioner to the ultimate state of consciousness.

Ashtanga Yoga Yama (First Limb)

Yama is a moral code that governs behavior towards others. Patanjali listed five Yamas:

• Ahimsa – Non-violence
• Satya – Truthfulness
• Asteya – non-stealing
• Brahmacharya– Control of desire
• Aparigraha – non-possessiveness

Yoga is based on these principles.

Niyama (Second Limb)

Niyama is a set of personal practices that brings discipline into daily life. These include:

• Shaucha – Cleanliness
• Santosh – Contentment
• Tapas – Self-discipline
• Swadhyaya – Self-study, or the study of Scriptures
• Ishwar Pranidhana– Surrendering to the Divine

Yama and Niyama work together to prepare your mind for higher yoga practices.

Asana (Third Limb of Ashtanga Yoga)

Yoga postures calm and strengthen the mind while strengthening the body. Patanjali defined asana as ‘Sthira Sukha Asanam’, meaning a comfortable and steady posture.

Ashtanga Yoga Asanas Names

Some classical asanas include:

• Padmasana (Lotus Pose)
• Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose)
• Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
• Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
• Savasana (Corpse Pose)

The roots of Ashtanga are found in Patanjali’s sutras.

What is Ashtanga Yoga Pranayama?

The fourth branch is Pranayama. It means regulation of breathing. Prana is the life force, and “Ayama”, its extension. The breathing exercises are designed to balance the energy and remove stress. They also prepare your mind for meditation.

Typical practices include

• Anulom Vilom is a different way of breathing through the nose.
• Kapalabhati is a name for the breath that makes your skull shine.
• Bhastrika

Pratyahara (Fifth Limb)

Pratyahara means withdrawal of senses. This is similar to turning your mind inward and away from distracting thoughts. The yogi is taught to be calm and not react to outside objects.

Dharana (Sixth Limb)

Dharana is concentration. The mind is trained to concentrate on one thing, such as a breath or flame, a mantra. This technique increases mental clarity and sharpens the awareness.

Dhyana (Seventh Limb)

Dhyana is meditation. Meditation is not like concentration which requires effort. It is more of a flow. In meditation, the practitioner connects to inner peace and enters a deep state of stillness.

Samadhi (Eight Limb)

Samadhi marks the end of Ashtanga Yog. The individual merges into the universal consciousness. Patanjali describes different kinds of Samadhi ranging from Savikalpa (with awareness) up to Nirvikalpa.

Steps Explained Simply

• You can control your behaviour (Yama).
• Discipline your lifestyle (Niyama)
• Asana: Strengthening your Body
• Pranayama: Controlling your breathing
• Withdraw senses (Pratyahara)
• Concentrate your mind (Dharana).
• Meditate (Dhyana)
• Realize bliss (Samadhi)

The sequence can also be called Eightfold Path of Yoga, or Ashtanga Marga.

Ashtanga Yoga Training and Classes

There are many yoga schools both in India and overseas that offer Ashtanga Yoga training. The training typically includes:

• Learn about Yama and Niyama
• Daily Asana practice
• Pranayama guided sessions
• Chanting and meditation
• Study of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra

Ashtanga Yoga Studio and Ashtanga Yoga Shala is where you can train with a teacher.

Ashtanga Yoga: Its Importance

• Builds ethical values
• Physical health improvements
• Enhances mental clarity
• Reduces stress
• Spiritual growth
• Self-realization leads to self-realization

It does not end at asanas. This Yoga brings about balance and harmony in the mind, actions, and awareness.

Ayurveda and Ashtanga Yog

Ayurveda also uses the word Ashtanga. It refers here to the 8 branches of Ayurveda.

1. Kaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine)
2. Kaumar Bhritya (Pediatrics)
3. Graha Chikitsa
4. Shalya Tantra (Surgery)
5. Shalakya (ENT and eye care)
6. Agada Tantra (Toxicology)
7. Rasayana Tantra (Rejuvenation)
8. Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac Therapy).

Yoga and Ayurveda both aim to promote holistic health.

Yoga Types Beyond Ashtanga

Other types of yoga include:

• Hatha Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Karma Yoga
• Raja Yoga
• Jnana Yoga
• Mantra Yoga
• Kundalini Yoga
• Laya Yoga

All paths aim to unite body, soul, and mind.

Patanjali Ashtanga Yoga PDF and Sutras

Many yoga institutes and scholars provide Patanjali Ashtanga Yoga PDFs for study. Yoga Sutras contains 196 aphorisms, divided into four sections:

1. Samadhi Pada
2. Sadhana Pada
3. Vibhuti Pada
4. Kaivalya Pada

Even today, these sutras are the basis of yoga philosophy.

Define Ashtanga Yoga in English

Simply put:

Ashtanga Yog, also known as Ashtanga Yoga, is an eight-fold method of purifying the body, mind and spirit. It leads to freedom.

The Eightfold Path: A Guide to Living it

It goes beyond the mat. It is an holistic approach to ethical living, mental clarity, physical fitness, and spiritual growth. Following the 8 steps of Yoga can help you transform your life and take it on a path of self-realization.

No matter if you’re practicing in an Ashtanga Yoga Shala or studying Patanjali’s Sutras at home, there are three things that remain the same. Self-discipline and awareness.

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