When you hear the word Ashtanga yoga, you may think of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, but that is not what I am not talking about here.

Actually, Ashtanga Yoga refers to the eight limbs in yoga.

First of all, when you hear the word yoga, you probably think of yoga postures. In Sanskrit, postures are called Asana. Asana is only one of the eight limbs. And it’s third one.

We will check the 8 limbs in order.

 

 

 

1. Yama : It’s like 5 internal ethics which you should not do.

1. Non-biolence

2. Non-lying, Truthfullness

3. Non-stealing

4. Celibacy or right use of energy

5. Non-possesiveness, Non-greed

 

2. Niyama : It’s like 5 external ethics which you should do

1. Cleanliness

2. Contentment

3. Dicipline

4. Sturdy of the self

5. Surrender to higher being

 

3. Asana : Body postures

 

4. Pranayama : Practice of breath regulation.

 

5. Pratyahara : Sensory control. Mental stability away from the 5 senses.

 

6. Dharana : Concentration.

7. Dhyana : Meditation. It’s like an experience without identity.

When you get rid of yourself which is biased, you see the truth.

 

8: Samadi : Enlightenment

・Adjust your mind and heart with [Yama] and [Niyama].

・Adjust your body with [Asana].

・Adjust your breath with [Pranayama].

 

・Sit on a floor, Then as you are away from your 5 senses with [Pratyahara],

you can concentrate [Dharana], then when you forget yourself, you can meditate [Dhyana]

 

・Enjoy the highest state [Samadhi]!

 

 

 

Get away from being an Asana practitioner, and become a real yogi!