Ashtanga yoga
Ashtanga yoga Ashtanga yoga literally means "eight limbs yoga. But it also has cleansing, which is composed of eight spiritual cleansing. Ashtanga yoga asanas are practiced with Vinyasa and Tristhana.
Vinyasa is a breathing technique which consists of a steady inhalation and exhalation. The Tristhana means as much as the unity of the three: posture, breathing technique and attention. These three should be carried out in harmony with each other. Ashtanga yoga is one of the most widely practiced forms of yoga.
When movement and breath fuse together, the energy carries the body seemingly effortlessly and focus from the outside inward, Tristana is reached. Or: through vinyasa, bandha and drishti reaches the spiritual dimension in Ashtanga yoga.
The founder of the Ashtanga yoga is Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, with his insights as a basis developed the poses of Ashtanga. He discovered that the breath is the key to the energy body, and used it in combination with the positions and the activation of so-called energy locks in the body. The aim what he obtained hereby was that Ashtanga is not limited to the healing of the (superficial) physical body, but also to boost the energy body and to make it healthy. Stimulate and cleanse the energy body also increases mental wellbeing. Ashtanga Yoga is a traditional form of yoga and lifestyle.
The eight limbs:
- 1. Yama refers to the five abstentions; Ahimsa: nonviolence; Satya: Truth; Asteya: do not steal; Brahmacharya: limited sexual contact with their partner; Aparigraha: do not attach to property
- 2. Niyama refers to the five precepts; Shaucha: physical purity; Santosha: contentment with what we have; Tapas: disciplined life; Svadhyaya: introspection, self development; Ishvarapranidhana: believe in a higher power;
- 3. Asana: physical exercise
- 4. Pranayama: breathing
- 5. Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses
- 6. Dharana: concentration
- 7. Dhyana: meditation
- 8. Samadhi: complete surrender