What is Ashtanga Yoga?
It is one of the most Popular Styles of Yoga in the world. Which has been sequenced by S . Pattabhi Joys.which has been said that it comes to form the Ancient Yoga Book called Yoga Konuta. Thus we must understand that ashtanga Yoga which has been brought in to light by S.Pattabhi Joys is not new but has been hidden in common Yogies.
But we must acknowledge that profound practice of Ashtanga Yoga {Asana} practice does bring the change in our physical and subtle energy body levels Though Mr Pattabhi Joys says Ashtanga yoga is 99% of Practice and 1% Theory That statement maybe Create a big question mark among the Serious Yoga Practitioner, they always raise the question then what about The value of the Eight Limbs of
Ashtanga Yoga? In reality, it should not be taken as an excuse of not fallowing Yama, Niyama of Eight limbs of Yoga, But I would say unless you body get free from toxin you can not Fallow any Value, thus it is very thoughtfully said that you must Mastery over Primary series, that itself will bring Ethical Value into your life. When you have Pure Prana, pure food, pure thoughts, mind adapt Value effortlessly. Just as sponge shocks the water.
Whats is Practice of Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga Practice of Pattabhi Joye’s system of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga has six series, the First Primary Series is Called Chikitsa, Chikittsa is Sanskrit word which means Medicinal treatment, thus Primary series detoxifies your body so you can go on practising other following sires.
Each of the six series begins with Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations) 5 of the A variation and 5 of the B variation, followed by the standing sequence.
What are The Major Elements of Ashtanga Yoga?
1. VINYASA
Vinyasa term used in ashtanga yoga practice which means Movement Hatha Yoga posture that links movement and breath to gain balance on three levels of being that’s Body, breath and mind. Or “to place in a special way,” vinyasa aligns a deliberate sequence of poses with the breath to achieve an unbroken flow also maintaining the Ujjai Breath.
This term can denote any of the following:
The link between movement and breath; link between concentration and movement. A continuous flow of the Yoga Asana and Ujjai breath create the Heat in the body to born the toxin in the body.Ujjai breath is called Victorious breath that means applying the Ujjai breath with Vinyasa flow of the Yoga Asana get victory over the diseases. Constant breath oxygenating the cells of the Body and Brain.
Through the lungs internal heat is produced and is described as burning up the impurities in the body, the impurities are released from the tissues by each asana. The sweat removes toxins through the skin.
2. DRISHTI
Means looking or focusing place and controls the mind. There are nine places Of Drishti in asanas:
- Practice nasagra (nose),
- Bhrumadhya (between the eyebrows),
- Nabhi (navel),
- Angustha (thumb),
- Hastagra (hands),
- Padagra (feet),
- Urdhva (upwards),
- Daksina parsva (right side)
The Purpose of the Drishti is to bring the mind under control to establish into atman (the pure Self) In Pattabhi Joys Ashtanga Yoga System their places are attention during Practice is called Drishti in Sanskrit.
There are 7 main Location at (Nashagra) tip of the Nose, Nibhi –at Neveal, Bhruo Madhya – between the Eyes, At the Thumb Nail (Angustha Nankha)
3. DHYAN (Means Meditation)
Meditation is one of the seventh Step of Ashtanga Yoga Of Patanjali,Dhayana is very close to world Dharna which Means Concentration, But Meditation is Not concentration, Meditation is a bit different than what is being translated in many of the books. Meditation means when there is No meditator nor an object of Mediation, More simple way to disrobe is, when their unfocused FOCUS awareness is called Meditation. Also you may achieve Stillness of the mind through the practice of Meditation.
4. TRISTHANA – Three Places of Concentration
There are three main Places of Concentration during the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga flow. Again Sanskrit world Trisathan mean Three paces . There are three main places for attention and effort (‘tri,’ meaning three and ‘sthana,’ meaning place): These places are called asana (posture), breathing, and Drishti (gazing place). These foundational actions form the basis of purification or detoxification. Yoga Asana practice increase bodily power, Flexibility, and Blood circulation to all over the Body. In Yogic Tradition Breathing is always recommended through the Nostril, there are three aspects of complete breathing are puraka (inhalation) and rechaka (exhalation) should be of equal duration. Long and smooth breathing free from hindrance and Kumbhka (Reteantion of Breath) either after exhalation or Inhalation That makes complete Pranayama. Smooth breathing balances and strengthens the body’s natural function of all inner organs like Liver kidney hearts etc, coating Breathing will disturb the mind and bring imbalance to the body.
5. BANDHAS – Energy lock
Gheranaya Smahita , Hatha Yoga Pradipika , Yoga Chudamani all this Ancient literature of yoga Uninamously gives importance of Bandhas. These Bandha can be used during the yoga Asana practice or independently, but in Ashtanga Syatem of Yoga practice one has to keep the mool Bandha or moola and Uddyana Bandha all the time . These Bandha are called Mool Bnadha and Uddyana bandha (Energy Bond) and Jalandhar Bandha (CHIN Lock). The Correct application of these two bandhas significantly increases the benefits of both the asanas and the breathing. Without the bandhas yoga practice is far less effective.