Ashtanga yoga
Ashta = eight
Anga = limb
Yoga = unity
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Because That is subtle, invisible and immaterial, the sages have spoken of its accessible form, and it is by progressive degrees that this form will be
- Avhadûta Gîtâ ll.15
Although the word yoga can have many meanings, we'll call it change, because now something will finally change, something we're not used to, and the conviction that life holds an immense mystery, but that it's possible to access it with simplicity of mind. Through openness to what is. Pure existence, eternal and universal, yoga reaches the human heart, whether we see it or not. Ashtanga Yoga has its origins in the Sanskrit texts expounded by the sage Patanjali, who was the first to systematize the path of classical yoga. These are the stages that structure the logical progression through which the practitioner passes before reaching the state of yoga. The first five limbs (external support) are the foundations of the last 3 (internal practice).The first two limbs, Yama & Niyama, are crucial, and are often the most neglected. Without them, the practice is meaningless, and doesn't allow for the process that yoga is supposed to bring about - an upward inner transformation.
1 - Yama
Inner purification (awareness of conditioning)
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Ahimsa
Awareness of our violent thoughts
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Satya
Truthfulness, sincere self-examination
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Asteya
Awareness of the desire to possess
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Brahmacharya
Awareness of life energy
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Aparigraha
Awareness of mental concepts
2 - Niyama
external purification (awareness of action)
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Shaucha
action without personal gain
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Santosha
satisfaction through acceptance of what is
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Tapah
determination to seek the source of consciousness
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Svadhyaya
seeking association with truth
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Isvara pranidana
surrender to the divine (love)
3 - Asana
Physical purification (body awareness)
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4 - Pranayama
Subtle purification (developing breath awareness)
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5 - Pratyahara
Sense withdrawal (conscious use of the 5 senses)
6 - Dharana
Discernment
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7 - Dhyana
State of being (meditation)
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8 - Samadhi
State of unity, totality, liberation (pure consciousness)