Ashtanga Yoga is the type of yoga which was urbanized and
founded by K. Pattabhi Jois. This kind of yoga is known as the Eight Limb Yoga
which has revolved in Pattanjali’s massive idea. It presented that the path of
purification is made up of the eight spiritual practices.
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| Ashtanga Yoga, Pixabay |
The first four limbs that represent Ashtanga Yoga are –
yama, niyama, Asana and the Pranayama. These are considered cleansing practices
which are externally correctable. The other set of limbs which are the –
pratyahara, dhyana, dharana are the internal practices.
These limbs can only be corrected by the appropriate application
of the Ashtanga Yoga method. This type of yoga method is quite dangerous to the
mind.
K. Pattabhi Jois said that practicing these Eight Limbs and
also its sub-limbs of the external practices which include the niyama and yama
is not possible. In doing so, the body should be strong enough so that it can
perform the practices. If the body is weak, and the sense organs are not
functioning well, practicing will never be useful to the person at all.
The philosophy which K. Pattabhi Jois has applied is that
you must keep in mind that after doing this Ashtanga Yoga the body will improve
and it will be stronger and healthier.
Vinsaya and Tristhana are practiced in Ashtanga Yoga.
The Vinsaya is a style that makes Ashtanga and its
principles discrete from the others. Vinsaya means the movement and breathing
which is used for the internal cleansing process. Each movement done is
accompanied by only one breath. Sweat is the most important product of Vinsaya.
When you produce sweat, it only means that you are successfully applying the
practice. When you perform the Asanas, the body creates heat which causes your
blood to boil and excrete the toxins outside of your body. The toxins are found
in your sweat. So the more sweat you create, the more toxins are released.
These yoga poses are used to fully develop the strength and
health of the body. The series of practices make this possible. There are three
postures used in Ashtanga Yoga.
The three are classified 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 cleaning
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 series, the grace and strength is measured.
The Tristhana is another yoga principle which represents the
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.
Breathing techniques are simultaneous and synchronized. It
is important to make a single breath for one movement. Ujjayi Breathing is the
Yoga Breathing Technique used in the application of Ashtanga Yoga. Applying
this technique must be prolonged after every practice. 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 increase your internal fire and will
strengthen the Nervous System.
Both Ashtanga and Tristhana deal with the series of Dristhi.
The Dristhi is described as the point on which you gain your focus or attention
while doing the Asana. This enables your mind to be purified and stabilized
clearly.
Setting the mind clear and cleansing it can only be done in
the Eight-Limb Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga.
