Free Online Yoga Site

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is a vaguer term when it comes to describing yoga practice. This is because the term ashtanga actually describes eight different types of yoga. These eight types are the Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. These eight types of Yoga are also known as the “eight limbs” of yoga but they all accomplish the same thing, which is to purify and detoxify the physical body and clarify the mind.

Furthermore these eight different types of yoga that comprise Ashtanga Yoga are also broken down into two different categories. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara comprise the first category. The second category, called Samyama is comprised of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. Each of these categories and steps refers to a different type of posture that focuses mainly on contracting muscles and holding them still in a posture for a long length of time.

What is the purpose of the postures that are part of the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga? First of all it is important to note that the goal of ashtanga yoga is unusual compared to other types of yoga. The purpose of it is purification. To achieve this through yoga postures the temperature of the body must be raised. This is done through a prescribed series of ritualistic postures that have been around for many thousands of years. In a sense it is a way of inducing a fever to kill of infections and induce relaxation in the human body.

The body temperature is raised so that the body can be purified through a defined set of body positions that are always done in the same order and that are always combined with specific breathing patterns. These cleansing breathing patterns are called ujjayi breathing. The heat that is created in the body through the practice of these physical disciplines leads to increased circulation and sweating which encourages the body to purify itself of toxins. Yet another added benefit is that the increased heat relaxes muscles and improves the overall flexibility of the body, which makes it less prone to accidents and injury in general.

Aside from raising the temperature of the body ashtanga yoga’s purpose is to help the practitioner focus on vinyasa which is translated to mean “the intelligent piecing together of things.” There are certain gazes that are held along in tandem with specific breathing instructions that help accomplish this sense of organization and clarity that is good for both the body and soul.

Ashtanga yoga is a very secret and ancient healing practice and is thought to have been originated by Vamana Risha (who wrote about it in a revered text called Yoga Korunta.) Knowledge of it was then passed down from various yogis who teach it today. One of the most famous of the yogis that taught ashtanga yoga was Krishnamacharya. B.K.S Iyengar also taught and wrote extensively about ashtanga yoga and his theories about its practice still have a great impact about how it is performed as an exercise to this day.

Tags: ashtanga yoga, types of yoga, free yoga online, yoga practice

Popularity: 96% [?]

Share This

BENDING TOWARDS SPIRITUALITY
The Essence Of Yoga Meditation
Copyright 2005 Free Online Yoga Site

Yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj which means to unite, has been an unparalleled activity of many traditionalists and even the avant-garde of today. Many wonder why yoga meditation is practiced even by non-Hindus and Buddhists, because it originated, and was confined for many centuries, in the Indian continent with a Hindu culture. This is because of yoga meditation’s complex ways of achieving a peaceful and sound life. How complex, you might ask?

Dimensions

The spiritual unification of a person’s individual soul and the Divine (they call it cosmos, representing the universe) is an achievement of enlightenment – their universal philosophy. The said union, which is done by a deep yoga meditation, ends up in an illuminated path which they say is self-realization. The relationship between a human being’s soul and the cosmos is the philosophical dimension of yoga meditation. The actual activity or practice, like the different stretches of the body and the chants or mantras, is the practical dimension.

Categories

The art of yoga meditation is divided into four categories: the Raja Yoga, which concentrates on meditation; the Bhakti yoga, which focuses mainly on devotion; the Karma yoga, which ponders on the unselfish and noble service to the Divine; and the Jnana yoga which reflects on truth and reality.

The Hatha yoga, a sub-branch of the Raja yoga, is the most popular because of its crucial role as an instrument that perfects the deep meditation process. In this kind of yoga meditation, the mind and the body unites to test the physical well-being of a person. This is achieved by performing different body movements and postures.

Universal Philosophy

The universal philosophy of yoga meditation emphasizes that it can prepare the path towards “enlightenment”. But then, this said enlightenment is not limited to Hinduism alone. It is also embraced by other religions such as Catholicism or Christianity. Remember that what yoga meditation is certain to give human beings is eternal light – Jesus Christ for instance, can be seen and thus accepted as the path to light by the Christian yogis (male yoga practitioners) and yoginis (female yoga practitioners). However, you must be reminded that yoga is definitely not a religion. It does not in any way observe practices that promote the existence of a supreme being.

Yoga and meditation

Although yoga and meditation are commonly associated with one another, they still differ in the explanation of how the subconscious is handled.

In simple meditation, the tangible body remains cognizant while the mind is being focused on a certain word, image, sound, person or idea. The goal of yoga, on the other hand, is to rise above the conscious level of the body since the latter is an obstruction to bringing enlightenment to the soul.

Benefits of Yoga

It is proven in the medical and scientific arena that yoga meditation is a beneficial workout. Scientists and modern doctors are amazed on how yoga improves the condition of the body. Yoga meditation reduces stress and pain, and can help in stabilizing the normal heart rate, blood pressure and respiration of a person. Yoga meditation also helps enliven the immune system, making our body disease-proof and always in the best shape possible!

Enrich Your Mind body and Soul with the Power of Yoga. Download it Today:
http://www.conceiveandbelieve.com/yoga

Popularity: 18% [?]

Share This