Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali
Ashtanga yoga, also known as "eight-limbed yoga," is a system of yoga outlined by the ancient sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras is a collection of 196 Indian sutras (aphorisms) that serve as a guide to the practice of yoga and the attainment of self-realization. In the Ashtanga yoga system, Patanjali outlines eight limbs or steps that, when practiced in sequence, lead to the ultimate goal of yoga, which is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind and the attainment of inner peace and self-awareness.
The eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga are:
Yama: ethical and moral codes of conduct
Niyama: personal observances and self-discipline
Asana: physical postures
Pranayama: control and regulation of breath
Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses
Samadhi: enlightenment, union with the divine
The first two limbs, Yama and Niyama, provide the foundation for the practice of yoga. Yama includes principles such as non-violence, truthfulness, and non-stealing, while Niyama includes practices such as cleanliness, contentment, and self-study. These ethical and moral codes of conduct serve to purify the mind and create a strong foundation for the practice of yoga.
The third limb, Asana, refers to the practice of physical postures. The primary purpose of Asana is to prepare the body for the practice of the higher limbs of yoga. Asanas help to increase flexibility and strength, as well as promote mental and emotional balance.
The fourth limb, Pranayama, refers to the control and regulation of the breath. Pranayama practices help to purify and control the breath, which in turn helps to control the mind and emotions.
The fifth limb, Pratyahara, refers to the withdrawal of the senses. The goal of Pratyahara is to detach the senses from external stimuli and to direct the mind inward towards the self.
The sixth limb, Dharana, refers to the practice of concentration. The goal of Dharana is to cultivate a single-pointed focus, which lays the foundation for the next limb, Dhyana, or meditation.
Dhyana, the seventh limb, is the practice of uninterrupted meditation. The goal of Dhyana is to go beyond the mind and to experience the true nature of the self.
The final limb, Samadhi, is the state of enlightenment or union with the divine. It is the ultimate goal of yoga and the culmination of the practice of the previous seven limbs. In Samadhi, the mind and the ego are dissolved, and the individual experiences a state of inner peace and self-awareness.
In conclusion, Ashtanga yoga is a comprehensive system of yoga outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. The eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga, when practiced in sequence, lead to the ultimate goal of yoga, which is the attainment of inner peace and self-awareness. The practice of Ashtanga yoga not only provides physical benefits but also helps to purify the mind, cultivate ethical and moral virtues, and ultimately leads to spiritual enlightenment.