Ashtanga Yoga Concept

Ashtanga Yoga is a system of traditional Yoga practices arranged in a certain sequence that eventually let purify the mind and reach the state of perfect consciousness. As is proposed by the name, Ashtanga Yoga consists of 8 (Ashta) steps, or limbs. Each of these steps gives the Ashtanga Yoga practitioner some kind of new knowledge or ability and provides basis for further development and self-cognition.

Ashtanga Yoga is usually associated with Raja (Royal) Yoga, that is also known as the Yoga liberating the mind. It is assumed that the mind rules the person, so mastering it helps master one's whole life. This process is long and requires hard work under the supervision of an experienced guru, as all the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are interconnected and cannot be skipped or overlooked.

The first four stages of Ashtanga Yoga concentrating on external purification are Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama. Yama and Niyama are the sets of moral codes determining the person's behavior. Yama rules put certain constraints on one's behavior prescribing, in particular, abstention from violence, crime, idleness, lies and sexual activity and filling the mind with positivity and love. Niyama, on the other hand, calls for austerity, studies, faith in God, reading mantras (prayers) and making sacrifices.

To continue with the evolution of mind, a person needs to tame one's body, strengthen it and get rid of all kinds of illnesses and distractions. Here, Hatha Yoga takes its turn. Successions of Asanas performed one after another and synchronized with breathing (Pranayama) increase bodily temperature, speed up blood circulation and thus clean the organism of toxins and diseases. They also direct vital energy (prana) through the channels of the subtle body by means of special locks, badhas. Asanas differ in complexity and gradually move from relatively simple to advanced poses. In future practice, they will be used as convenient and steady body positions for meditation.

To further integrate the body and mind, and proceed with the internal cleaning stages of Ashtanga Yoga it is necessary to move to the following three limbs, Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana until you reach Samadhi. While passing these Ashtanga Yoga steps a yogi learns to abstract from all senses, develop will-power, concentrate and practice mediation.

Only after that, having released the ultimate source of energy, they may enter the blissful state of equilibrium and complete and everlasting awareness.