What is Ashtanga Yoga?
"Ashta" means "Eight" and "Anga" means "Limbs" forming the meaning of "Ashtanga Yoga" as the "Eight Limb Approached Yoga". These Eight Limbs described by Patanjali Yoga Sutras are:
1. Yama:
Yama refers to Abstinences. It teaches us sobriety and ethical standards. The five Yamas are
- Ahimsa: Non-violence
- Satya: Truth
- Asteya: Non-stealing
- Brahmacharya: Celibacy
- Aparigraha: Non-covetousness
2. Niyamas:
Personal rules. The rules you follow for yourself like self-discipline and self-observances is the second limbs of yoga.
Sutra 32 of Chapter 2 of Patanjali Yoga Sutras defines the five niyamas, we should practice.
शौचसंतोषतपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः॥
Meaning:
The five niyamas (observances) are
- Shaucha - Internal and External Purification
- Santosha - Contentment
- Tapah - Austerity
- Svadhyay - Self Study
- Ishvara Pranidhanani - Devotion to God
3. Asanas :
Asanas refers to Physical Postures. Not all physical postures are asanas, as per Patanjali Yoga Sutras 46 of Chapter 2
Meaning:
Asanas are those physical postures which are steady and Comfortable
Asanas prepare the body for yoga practice, meditation, pranayama, dhyana and other spiritual aspects. It is the beginning of learning yoga.
4. Pranayama:
Pranayama refers to Breath Control. It is the combination of two words, "Prana" means "Life Force, i.e. Breath" and "Yama" means "Control". As per the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Retention and Splitting of breath in the proper way is termed as Pranayama.
5. Pratyahara :
Pratyahara refers to the withdrawal of senses. The stage when your mind or the senses stop engaging with the external environment, indeed, turned it towards the inner consciousness. With this, it becomes easier to control the senses.
The human body has "Pancha Kosha" or five layers building the inner consciousness, these are
- Annamaya Kosha - the food layer
- Pranamaya Kosha - the breath layer
- Manomaya Kosha - the mind layer
- Vijnyanmaya Kosha - the intellect layer
- Anandamaya Kosha - the bliss layer
6. Dharana :
Dharana refers to Concentration. Our mind is fickle, it changes frequently. With the practice of Dharana, one becomes able to pay attention to one particular thing or aspect. This can be done with the practice of Mantra Chanting or Meditation.
7. Dhyana :
Dhyana refers to Meditation. In this, your mind remains still and you achieve deep rest and relaxation.
8. Samadhi :
Samadhi refers to Contemplation. The last or the ultimate stage of Consciousness, where you will only be aware of your thoughts and powers. You connect to your true nature, true nature of love, joy and strength.
When a person connected the four external limbs, the other four spontaneously evolves.