Submitted by: Yogi Chetan Mahesh Ji

The 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali is a complete practice of 8 steps that leads to Samadhi, ultimate bliss, the heart. These 8 limbs are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

For most, people the word yoga bears to mind the image of a yoga model that appears on the cover of a yoga magazine in a pose that is approximately impossible to get into for an average practitioner. Yoga is commonly practiced as a routine which helps in fixing physical fitness and sometimes as a means to stress management. There is growing awareness that yoga can be adequately used as therapy in treating an array of ailments, including hypertension, diabetes, heart conditions et cetera. In India, Baba Ramdev, whose daily Television show is hugely popular, has been very successful in advertising yoga as a therapeutic practice. Those who have been practicing yoga for a while can attest to the physical and physiological benefits that the practice brings.

While all the above-mentioned benefits of yoga are absolutely desirable, most people are ignorant about the true meaning and ambition of yoga which is the ability to control the fluctuations of the mind. This brief and a succinct definition were provided to us by Sage Patanjali, more than three thousand years ago, in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali has provided a very scientific and practical exposition of the philosophy and practice of yoga. One very important section of the book describes what is commonly called ashtanga yoga or the Eight Limbs of Yoga which provides practical guidelines for achieving the goal of yoga, i.e., controlling the mind.

Most of the yoga as it is adept today, called Hatha Yoga, includes physical postures (asanas) and some breathing techniques (pranayama). As you can notice from the 8 limbs which are listed below, asana and pranayama are only two of these 8 limbs and help establish a strong foundation for achieving the objectives of yoga. However, to develop a fully unified practice of yoga and accomplish the final objectives of yoga, one needs to include in their routine all the eight limbs of yoga in some form.

1. Yama and Niyama are very beneficial for our life because they teach us ethics and self-discipline which are essential for a happy and balance life with ourselves and with others.

2. Asanas are the physical postures and by practicing them we eliminate toxins, increase flexibility and blood circulation and gain a strong and healthy body.

3. Pranayama is the expansion of life force through breathing exercises in order to control our mind through controlling our breathing. This leads to a healthy and peaceful state of mind.

4. Dhyana is meditation or total absorption into the object upon that which is being focused on. In, dhyana we dissolve separateness and experience the deepness of peace.

5. Samadhi is absolute, ecstatic transcendence moving beyond time, form and space. It’s the goal of all yoga and the supreme state of consciousness.

The main target of Patanjali is controlling the mind and subduing the fluctuations of the mind, called chitta vrittis. Once the mind is serene and peaceful, one gets established in his own true nature.

About the Author: Address: Baba Balaknath Temple Street, Upper TapovanLaxman Jhula Road, Rishikesh, India, 249192Website:

indianyogaassociation.com

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=1956599&ca=Self+Help}