Is Ashtanga Yoga Practice Right for You?
By Sarah Russell
Founded by K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga Yoga is also
called Eight Limb Yoga. In this form of yoga, the road to purification is said to
be formed of eight different spiritual practices. The first four "limbs" of Ashtanga
Yoga are Asana, Pranayama, Yama, and Niyama. These practices are meant to cleanse,
and are called external practices. The other four spiritual practices in Ashtanga
Yoga are internal practices.
It is said that only properly applying the method
of Ashtanga Yoga will enable the practitioner to fully utilize these eight spiritual
practices. It's also been said that improper practice of this kind of yoga can be
mentally dangerous. It's necessary for practitioners to be strong in body and mind.
If bodies are weak, or sensory organs damaged, this type of yoga practice will not
be useful. It's vital to make sure that your body is strong and healthy, so that
the maximum benefit can be received from Ashtanga Yoga practices.
Vinsaya is one element that differentiates Ashtanga
Yoga from other types of yoga practice. Vinsaya refers to movements and breathing
exercises used in the process of internal cleansing. Each movement must be accompanied
by a single breath. It's important to remember that sweating, in this context, is
good. Sweat is an important feature of Vinsaya, since the production of it means the
practice is being applied successfully.
The performance of the asanas causes your body to
produce heat. This heat allows the toxins that have built up inside us to be excreted,
in the form of sweat. Thus, the more we sweat, the better we're able to release those
toxins and cleanse our bodies.
Yoga poses are used to help improve bodily health
and develop strength. There are three basic postures used in Ashtanga Yoga, and
they're categorized into three different levels. The first is called the Primary
Series. This series concentrates on aligning and detoxifying our bodies. The second
category is called the Intermediate Series. It focuses on the opening and cleansing
of our energy channels. This is important for the purification of the nervous system.
The last series is referred to as the Advanced Series, and helps to improve strength
and grace.
Another important principle is Tristhana. This
represents the union of the three locations of attention and action: posture,
breathing techniques, and "Dristhi of the Looking Place". Dristhi are described
as points of focus or attention, used while performing Asana. They enable the
purification and stabilization of the mind. These three locations are meant to
work together to perform a function.
Techniques for breathing are both synchronized
and simultaneous. Remember, each movement comes with only a single breath. In
Ashtanga Yoga, the primary breathing technique used is Ujjayi Breathing. The
application of this technique gets longer each time you practice. This means
making sure that you can hold each pose, and your breath, a little longer.
These breathing exercises add strength to our nervous systems and increase
willpower and the "internal fire". Practitioners of Ashtanga, or Eight Limb
Yoga, state that this is the best, or only way to clear and cleanse the mind.
About the
author:
Want to learn more about how yoga can change your life? Check out Sarah Russell's
new book - The Beginner's Guide to Yoga and Meditation - at:
www.Mind-Body-Connection.com
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articles, click here -
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I wish you all the best on your yoga adventure!
To your health,
Thomas T :)
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