Since
earlier times yoga is considered to be a right way for the physical and
mental development of body. Yoga is a teacher for us in many ways. Through
Yoga practice we gain self-control and flexibility. We also enhance our
concentration ability and learn to control our breathing. There are many
schools of yoga practice and amongst them one is Ashtanga Yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga falls under the category of Sankhya Yoga i.e., Way of
realizing God by Meditation. It is a very popular, vigorous and athletic
style of practice.
The word Ashtanga means Asht (eight) and anga (limbs) or eight
stages. Few of the general terminology used in Ashtanga Yoga are:-
Asana (pose or a posture)
Vinyasa (series of connected movements) e.g. Surya
Namaskar
Ujjayi Breath (the word means victory) a way in which you
breath in a constant rhythmic way
The
following are the eight stages of Ashtanga Yoga: -
1 Yama
It means restraint or keeping under control. It refers to five moral
practices such as Ahinsa , Satya ,Asteya , Brahmacharya , and Aparigraha
2. Niyama
It means to have rules for oneself. A code of conduct to be followed both
mentally and physically by a person. These are Shaucha, Santosha , Tapas ,Svadhyaya
and Ishvara Pranidhana
3. Asana
It refers to holding the body in a particular pose, which brings stability
in the body and poise to the mind. It also brings firmness to the body and
vitality to mind.
4.Pranayama
The precise meaning of Pranayama is breath Control. It is required to
purify mind just the way bath is essential for purifying body.
5. Pratyahara Controlling our senses to stop them from latching
over worldly desires is called Pratyadhara.
6. Dharna
it helps the mind to concentrate on a particular object i.e focusing the
pure mind on Brahma.
7. Dhyana
When one maintains the focus of his or her attention through Dharna not
being bounded by space or time is called Dhyana.
8. Samadhi
It is the final stage of Asthanga Yoga where ones identity gets
internally and externally deeply involved in Brahma. Its like sugar mixing
in water.
November 18, 2007
