the 8 limbs of ashtanga yoga
TRANSCRIPT
Raja Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga is a systematic method for self-realization. When the Self is realized, no disease remains in the body and mind. There is no suffering, no fear, no doubt, only pure bliss. Practice of Ashtanga Yoga comprises eight limbs or steps:1.Yama2.Niyama3.Asana4.Pranayama5.Pratyahara6.Dharana7.Dhyana8.Samadhi
YogPro
What Is Yoga And Its Benefits
YogPro
Yama –implies discipline and there are five specific practices of yama that the yogi imbibes into his conduct and lifestyle:
Ahimsa (non-violence) –This means not harming anyone including your own Self. Non-violence is practiced not just in action but with words and thoughts as well. You become gentle and kind to everyone including your own self and your body.
Satya (truthfulness) –Be truthful in your words, thoughts and deeds. Say only what you truly mean and mean whatever you say. This is not just about being truthful to others but to your own self as well. Be truthful in your yoga practice, with your diet and in every other aspect of your life.
YAMAS
YogPro
Asteya (non-stealing) –Practice non-stealing and non-covetedness. Be content with what you have and do not envy what someone else has. Concentrate on your own yoga practice and do not compare yours with anyone else’s. Also, never take what does not truly belong to you.
Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) –Do not hoard your possessions. Be generous and share with others. When you share, your blessings multiply and you attain greater happiness.
Brahmacharya (continence) –The literal translation means chastity or the sublimation of sexual desire. But in truth, it means practicing moderation in everything; including diet, sleep, sex and everything else. This helps one in exercising greater control over the senses instead of becoming a slave to it.
YAMAS
YogPro
Niyama –Implies observances that are meant to be practiced daily. There are five niyamas:
Saucha (purity, external and internal) –Keep your body clean and treat it like a holy temple. Cleanse your mind of all negative thoughts, judgments, and criticisms. Release all grudges, anger, hatred, disappointment and other negative feelings from your heart. Santosha (contentment) –Accept the uniqueness of your life and of your Self. Be content with what you have and never compare your life with anyone else’s. Trust that you can create whatever you desire and that there is no need to envy what someone else has.
NIYAMAS
YogPro
• Tapas (austerity) –Live a life of great personal discipline. Work hard to purify yourself and you will definitely reap tremendous benefits.
• Svadhyaya (study of scriptures) –Our life is a reflection of the beliefs and impressions we carry in the subconscious. Feed the subconscious with inspiring and positive information and your life will definitely transform. Make time to read something inspirational every day. Also, try to surround yourself with optimistic and inspiring people.
• Isvarapranidhana (surrender to the Supreme) –Let go of the ego and surrender to the Divine. Trust that your life is unfolding day by day for your highest good. Work hard and do your best at everything but surrender the desire for specific results.
NIYAMAS
YogPro
Asana –This is the physical practice of yoga comprising of specifically designed postures. Each asana serves to strengthen and rejuvenate not just the external organs but the internal ones as well. Asanas help build a strong body in which a strong mind, a compassionate heart and an iron will can reside. The practice of asana also challenges the mind as the belief that we cannot do certain postures is only because of a limitation of the body and not of the mind. The body is perfectly capable of doing the postures but the mind makes it believe that it cannot do certain things.
ASANA
YogPro
Pranayama –In yogic philosophy, it is believed that life is sustained through ‘Prana.’ Prana is life force that pervades all of creation. An individual dies when prana leaves his body. It is not possible to revive a clinically dead person by putting an oxygen mask on him. There is something more subtle than oxygen which is present in this Universe and that is prana. When an individual has an abundance of prana, he appears healthy, lively and charismatic. Through the practice of certain breathing techniques or pranayama, the flow of prana can be controlled. When prana is controlled, the mind becomes stable and the body becomes healthy. Practice of pranayama is an integral part of any yoga practice. Even during the practice of asanas, the focus is always on proper breathing as this directs prana to the internal and external organs..
PRANAYAMA
YogPro
Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) –This implies disconnecting the mind from the constant misleading stimulations of the senses. For instance, during the practice of yoga, your mind might lead you to focus on a pain in the knee. Pratyahara is the practice of disconnecting the mind from the focus on the pain. This is done by bringing concentration back to the in-flow and out-flow of breath. The idea is to become a witness to all the thoughts that run through the mind and not fight them or resist them. Therefore, the mind is compelled to go inwards and not run outwards, where it finds a million reasons to be miserable and unhappy.
PRATYAHARA
YogPro
Dharana (concentration) –‘Dhar’ means to hold or to retain. The mind is concentrated on one idea or word to the exclusion of all other words. During the practice of asana, dharana is practiced by focusing the mind completely on inhalation and exhalation. When practitioners achieve a high level of mastery over the practice of pratyahara, it becomes easy to achieve a deep level of concentration or dharana.
DHARANA
YogPro
Dhyana (meditation) –Dhyana comes from the Sanskrit word ‘dhyayi’ which means to contemplate or meditate. A combination of Pratyahara and Dharana bring about a state of Dhyana in which all thoughts are directed towards the Supreme.
DHAYANA
YogPro
Samadhi (the state of pure bliss) –Samadhi is the highest state of consciousness any individual can attain. It is the merging of the individual Self into the Supreme Consciousness or Universal Soul. This is the ultimate goal of yoga because, in Samadhi, all thoughts, distractions and suffering cease to exist. In Samadhi, the mind is completely transcended. The only thing that remains is pure consciousness and the individual becomes established in the true nature of the Soul, which is pure bliss. Practice of the seven steps highlighted above leads to the experience of Samadhi.
SAMADHI
To know more About Us-
www.yogpro.in
Read our blogs @ www.yogpro.in/blog