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"Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha"
(Yoga is the modification of the fluctuations of the mind)
Yoga Sutra I:2 |
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Yoga is an ancient discipline of self-discovery and transformation which uses the body and the breath as tools in discovering one's Self. At the most basic level, it is a holistic approach to health and wellness. It includes a myriad of practices which aims to strengthen the body, destress the mind, and uplift the spirit.
The physical performance of yoga postures or asanas become merely acrobatic or gymnastics without breath awareness and an understanding of the philosophy behind it. Eventhough we are only pursuing yoga for health and fitness reasons, it is always beneficial to acknowledge that behind all those forward bends, spinal twists and inversions lie a belief and value system that makes this practice an authentic system for self-transformation. |
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The classical yoga philosophy comprises of 8 limbs as codified by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. These are:
1. Yama - moral codes
a. ahimsa - nonviolence
b. satya - truthfulness
c. asteya - nonstealing
d. brahmacharya - moderation; preserving vital fluids
e. aparigraha - non-possessiveness; letting go of the
attachement to progress.
2. Niyama - self discipline
a. saucha - cleanliness
b. santosha - contentment
c. tapas - austerity
d. svadhyaya - self study; study of the sacret texts
e. ishvara pranidhana - devotion to the Divine
3. Asana - postures
4. Pranayama - breath control
5. Pratyahara - sense control
6. Dhrana - concentration
7. Dhyana - meditation
8. Samadhi - contemplation; self-realization; or a state of bliss
One needs to observe and practice all the 8 limbs to truly experience the benefits of this discipline. |
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"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost." - Martha Graham |
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Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India, is a classical system of hatha yoga that incorporates dynamic movements, rhythmic breathing, focus, and energy locks that brings a purifying heat into the body. The heat created within the body induces sweating that flushes out physical and psychological toxins. Like gold that is purified in fire, the body undergoes a purification process through a series of postures linked together by movements and breaths... a series of poses that is scientifically designed to open up the body and prepare it for the inner journey. |
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