What Makes Ashtanga Yoga
Different?
By Charles
Hawkins
Ashtanga Yoga is the type
of yoga which was created and established by a master named
K. Pattabhi Jois. Due to it's theory containing eight
different limbs, or components, it is also known as
"Eight-Limb Yoga". It doesn't imply that the practitioner
has a double set of limbs, but master Pattabhi Jois showed
that the optimum path of purification is made up of the
eight spiritual practices.
The basic idea is that
these limbs only can be kept in balance by the appropriate
application of the Ashtanga Yoga method.
The first four limbs that
symbolize Ashtanga Yoga, and are considered externally
correctable are (original names within double quotes):
- Moral codes or "yama"
- Self-purification or "niyama"
- Posture or "asana"
- Breath control or "pranayama"
Then there is the other set
of limbs which are the internal practices:
- Sense control or "pratyahara"
- Meditation or "dhyana"
- Concentration or "dharana"
- Contemplation or "samadhi"
K. Pattabhi Jois declared
that practicing these Eight Limbs as well as its sub-limbs
of the external practices which contain the niyama and yama
is impossible. In doing so, the body should be strong so
that it can technically perform the methods well enough. If
the body is weak, and the sense organs are not functioning
well, practicing will never be productive at all.
This is a primary
philosophy that K. Pattabhi Jois has applied, it is of prime
importance for the Asthanga practitioner to learn and
understand this way of thinking. This will make you
confident in that the body will significantly improve and
become stronger and healthier.
Vinsaya and Tristhana are
performed in Ashtanga Yoga.
The Vinsaya is a style that
makes Ashtanga and its fundamental principles different from
the others. Vinsaya basically means the movement and
breathing which is used effectively together in order to
cleanse the body. Each movement done is accompanied by only
one breath. Sweat is the most important product of Vinsaya.
When you produce sweat, it only indicates that you are
successfully applying the method. When you perform the
Asanas, or postures, the body produces heat which causes
your blood to "boil" and excrete the toxins outside of your
body. The contaminations are found in your sweat. So the
more sweat you produce, the more toxins are released. This
is the natural way for the body to get rid of unwanted
substances.
The poses are used to fully
develop the physical strength and health of the body. It is
the sequence of practices that make this possible. There are
three postures used in Ashtaga Yoga.
The three are grouped on
different levels:
- The first is the Primary Series which aims on aligning the
body and also detoxifying it.
- The second is the
Intermediate Series opening and cleansing the energy
channels which comes to the process of purifying the Nervous
System.
- The last series would be
the Advanced Series from A to D. In this set, the grace and
strength are assessed.
The Tristhana is another
yoga principle which symbolizes the close union of the three
places of action and attention. First is the posture, second
is the breathing technique ad last is the Dristhi of the
Looking Place. All these three should work altogether to
perform a function.
The breathing is always
controlled and synchronized with the movements, in such a
way that each movement is accompanied by breath. Ujjayi
Breathing is the Yoga Breathing Technique used in the
implementation of Ashtanga Yoga. Applying this ancient
technique is something that you should work on gradually in
your daily practise. What you need to master is holding your
pose longer at the same time hold your breath. This is an
amazing breathing exercise that will intensify your internal
fire and will toughen the Nervous System.
Both Ashtanga and Tristhana
deal with the series of Dristhi. The Dristhi is defined as
the point on which you acquire your focus or concentration
while doing the Asana. This allows your mind to be purified
and stabilized clearly.
Clearing your mind (that is
sometimes compared to an over active monkey) and cleansing
it is the ultimate goal in the Eight-Limb Yoga or Ashtanga
Yoga.
About the
author:
Michael Hawkins writes books and articles about Yoga,
fitness and health. A beginners guide to Yoga ,that explores
this exciting world of exercise and meditation, is available
at his website
http://www.yoga-central.net.
For more yoga
articles, click here -
Yoga Articles
I wish you all the best on your yoga adventure!
To your health,
Thomas T :)
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