Asana Yoga

Asana Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga Background

Ashtanga yoga is a system of Yoga recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in Korunta yoga, an ancient manuscript "is said to contain lists of many different groups of asanas, as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras, and philosophy" (Jois 2002 XV). Text Korunta Yoga "was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900's by the teacher Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and then move to Pattabhi Jois during the period of study with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927" ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). Since 1948, Pattabhi Jois has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga Shala from the town of yoga, Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute Jois XVI (2002), in accordance with the traditions of the holy Guru Parampara [succession disciplic] (Jois 2003 (12).
Ashtanga Yoga literally means "eight-limbed yoga", as outlined by the sage Patanjali in Sutra yoga. According to Patanjali, the path of internal purification of self-disclosure world, and consists of eight spiritual practices:
Yama [moral codes]
Niyama [self-purification and study]
Asana [position]
Pranayama [breath control]
Pratyahara [sense control]
Dharana [concentration]
Dhyana [meditation]
Samadhi [contemplation] (Scott 14-17)
The first four limbs, Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama - is the external cleansing practices. According to Pattabhi Jois, defects in the external practices are corrected. However, defects in the internal cleansing practices Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, has not been corrected and can be dangerous to the mind only correct method of Ashtanga Yoga followed (Stern and Summerbell 35). For this reason, Pattabhi Jois emphasizes that the "Ashtanga Yoga method is Patanjali Yoga" (Flynn).
Yoga is the definition of "mind control" [SITA vrtti nirodhah] (Jois 2003 (10). The first step toward controlling the mind and the perfection of Yama and Niyama (Jois 2003 (10). However, it is "not possible to practice by the parties and sub-limbs of gamma and sleeping when the body and the senses are weak and haunted by obstacles "(Jois 2002 17). a person must first take Asana daily practice to make the body strong and healthy (Jois 2003 (10). with the body and senses and thus settled, the mind can be steady and controlled (Jois 2002 (16). with control of the mind, one is able to follow and understand the first two parties (Flynn).
To perform the asanas correctly in Ashtanga yoga, we must integrate the use of vinyasa and tristhana. "Vinyasa means breathing and movement system. For every movement, there is the same one, for example, in Surya Namskar nine vinyasas. Vinyasa and the first is inhalation while raising your arms above your head, and put your hands together, and the second is exhaling while bending forward, placing your hands next to your feet, etc. In this way all asanas are assigned a certain number of vinyasas "(" Ashtanga Yoga ").
"The purpose of vinyasa is for internal cleansing" ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). Synchronizing breathing and movement in the asanas blood temperature, cleaning and thinning it so that it may circulate more freely. Improve blood circulation reduces joint pain and removes toxins and disease from the internal organs. Sweat generated from the heat of vinyasa then carries impurities from the body. Through the use of vinyasa, the body becomes healthy, light and strong ( "Ashtanga Yoga").
Tristhana refers to the Union "three places of attention or action: the situation, and the system of breathing and looking around, and these three are very important for yoga practice, and includes three levels of purification: the body and nervous system and brain, it is always performed in conjunction with each other" ( "Ashtanga Yoga") .
Position: "The method for purifying and strengthening the body called asanas" (Jois 2002 22). In Ashtanga yoga, asanas is assembled in six groups. "The Primary Series [Yoga Chikitsa] detoxifies and supports the body. And medium-chain [Club Shodhana] purifies the nervous system by opening channels for the exchange of information and energy. Advanced Series A, B, C and D [Sthira Bhaga] integrate the force and to allow this practice, which require higher levels of flexibility and humility. each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of asanas to be carefully after each position is the preparation of the next developing strength and balance required to move further "(Pace). Without a serious attempt and reverence towards the practice of Yama and Niyama, however, the practice of Asana is little benefit (Flynn).
Breath: breathing technique performed with vinyasa is called ujjayi [victorious breath] (Scott 20), which consists of puraka [inhalation] and rechaka [Zephyr] ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). "All of the inhale and exhale should be steady, but should be the same along the length of the inhale exhale" ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). Over time, should the length and intensity of inhalation and exhalation of increase, that such an increase, which stretches from breathing begins to increase stretching of the body (Scott 21). Long, and even breathing also increases the internal fire and strengthens and cleanses the nervous system ( "Ashtanga Yoga").
Bandhas are the basic components of technical ujjayi breathing. Bandha means "lock" or "ring" (Scott 21). The purpose of bandha is to unlock pranic energy and direct it to club 72,000 [energy channels] of the subtle body (Scott 21). Mula bandha is the anal lock, and bandha uddiyana is the lower abdominal lock ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). Both bandhas "seal in the field of energy, give lightness, strength and health of the body, and help to build strong internal fire" ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). Mula bandha operates at the root of the body to seal in prana internally for bandha uddiyana to direct the prana upwards through the nadis (Scott 21). Jalandhara bandha is "to ensure the throat" (Jois 2002 23, n.27), which "occurs spontaneously in the form of flour in many situations because of dristi (" looks "point), or the position of the President" (Scott 23). "This lock prevents the energy pranic [from] escaping and stops any accumulation of pressure in the head when held in breathing" (Scott 23). bandha without censorship, and would "not be correct breathing and postures will give no benefit" ( "Ashtanga Yoga").
Looking Location: Dristhi is the point that staring at one in focus while the performance of asanas ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). "There are nine dristhis: the nose and between the eyebrows, navel, thumb, hands, feet, and even, in the right side and left side. Dristhi purifies the mind and the stability of performance" ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). In practice, of Astana, where it considers it purely focuses on inhalation, exhalation, and drishti, the resulting deep state of focus pave the way for practices Dharana and Dhyana, six and seventh limbs Ashtanga yoga (Scott 23).
Education in pranayama can begin after one has learned asanas well and can be exercised with ease (Jois 2002 23). "Pranayama means taking in the power of subtle vital wind through rechaka [Zephyr], puraka [inhalation], and kumbhaka [breath retention]. Only this kriyas, practiced in conjunction with three bandhas [muscle contractions, or locks] and in accordance with the rules, can be called pranayama "(Jois 2002 23). Bandhas and three are "bandha Mola, bandha uddiyana, and bandha jalandhara, and that it should be performed while the practice of asanas and the like" (Jois 2002 23). "When Mula bandha is perfect, and mind control is automatic" ( "Ashtanga Yoga"). "In this way did not start Patanjali yoga. Mulabandha and by using the control in mind, he gradually gained knowledge of yoga" (Jois 2003 (11).
Asana practice for many years with correct vinyasa and tristhana gives the student and clarity of mind and stability of the body, and purification of the nervous system to begin the established practice of pranayama (Flynn). "It is through the practice of pranayama, the mind becomes arrested in one direction and tracking the movement of breath" (Jois 2002 23). Pranayama form the basis for the internal cleansing practices of Ashtanga Yoga (Flynn).
Four internal cleansing practices Pratyahara, Dharana, dhyana and samadhi - bring the mind under control (Stern and Summerbell 35). Upon completion of purifying the mind and the control happens, and six of toxins surrounding the spiritual heart [Kama (desire), krodha (anger), Moha (delusion), lobha (greed), matsarya (laziness) and Mada (envy)] - "It will be one by the other, quite contrary "(Stern and Summerbell 35), and revealed the universal breath. In this way, the correct and tireless practice Ashtanga Yoga under the supervision of the guru "with a subdued mind unshackled from the external and internal organs sense" (Jois 2002 22) ultimately leads one to the full realization of Patanjali's eight-limbed yoga.