Ashtanga Yoga
Although the word Yoga can have several meanings, we'll qualify it by change, because now something will finally change, something we're not used to, and by conviction that life conceals an immense mystery, but that it's possible to access it in simplicity of mind. Through openness to what is. Pure existence, eternal and universal, yoga reaches into people's hearts, whether we can see it or not.
Ashtanga Yoga has its origins in 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 the practitioner goes through before reaching the state of Yoga.
They are all interrelated, and can be practiced simultaneously.
The first five limbs (external support) are the foundations of the last 3 (internal practice).
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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.
Because It is subtle, invisible and immaterial, the sages spoke of its accessible form,
and it is by progressive degrees that this form will be accessible.
- Avhadûta Gîtâ ll.15
1 - YAMA
Inner purification (awareness of conditioning)
Ahimsa
Awareness of our violent thoughts
Satya
Truthfulness, sincere self-examination
Asteya
Awareness of the desire to possess
Brahmacharya
Awareness of life energy
Aparigraha
Awareness of mental concepts
2 - NIYAMA
Purification extérieure (conscience de l'action)
Shaucha
Action sans profit personnel
Santosha
Satisfaction par l’acceptation de ce qui est
Tapah
Être déterminé à rechercher la source de la conscience
Svadhyaya
Rechercher à s'associer à la vérité
Isvara Pranidana
Abandon au divin (amour)
3 - ASANA
Purification physique (conscience du corps)
4 - PRANAYAMA
Purification subtile (développer la conscience de la respiration)
5 - PRATYAHARA
Retrait des sens (utilisation consciente des 5 sens)
6 - DHARANA
Discernement (concentration)
7 - DHYANA
Etat d'être (méditation)
8 - SAMADHI
Etat d'unité, totalité, libération (conscience pure)