Ashtanga Yoga is in fact the Eight Limb Yoga which evolved in Patanjali’s splendid idea. Ashtanga yoga is all about coordinating the breath with a progressive series of posture. The procedures produce intense internal heat and a prolific, purifying sweat that removes off toxin from muscles and organs and thereby results in enhanced blood circulation; a light, yet strong body; and a calm state of mind. According to Patanjali, the path of internal purification for revealing the Universal Self consists of the following eight spiritual practices, of which the first four being cleansing practices whose defects are externally correctable and the rest, internal cleansing practices which, are not correctable:

1. Yama [moral codes]
2. Niyama [self-purification and study]
3. Asana [posture]
4. Pranayama [breath control]
5. Pratyahara [sense control]
6. Dharana [concentration]
7. Dhyana [meditation]
8. Samadhi [contemplation]

Practising Ashtanga Yoga is not that easy. A wrong procedure can even be dangerous. Now the greatest practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga is K. Pattabhi Jois. Practising these eight limbs and its sub-limbs is not a trivial business. The body ought to be strong so as to perform the procedures of Ashtanga Yoga properly. It will be futile to practise Ashtanga Yoga if the body is weak and the sense organs not functioning well. In point of fact, it’s Pattabhi Jois who developed this philosophy which ensures an improvement in the strength and health of the aspirant’s body.

Ashtanga Yoga includes the practising of Vinyasa and Tristhana. It is in fact the “Vinyasa" that distinguishes Ashtanga and its principles from the rest of the Yogas. The internal cleansing process requires movement and breathing. Vinyasa constitutes these movements and ventilations. Only one breath accompanies each movement made. Vinyasa’s main product is sweat which reveals that you are successfully applying the practice. When Asanas are performed, the body is compelled to excrete its toxin contents as a result of the boiling of the blood. These toxins are expelled by means of sweat. So the more sweat your body produces, the more detoxified it becomes.

All the postures of Ashtanga Yoga aim at the enhancement of the practitioner’s health. Basically there are three postures used in Ashtanga Yoga. The first is the Primary Series which aims on positioning the body and also detoxifying it. The energy channels that are involved in the purification process of the nervous system needs cleaning. The Intermediate Series, which is the second of the three basic postures, opens and cleans these energy channels.

The last series would be the Advanced Series from A to D. In this series, the grace and strength are measured. Then Tristhana. It is another Yoga principle which stands for the union of three places of action and attention. Posture, breathing technique and Drishti- the three aspects of action and attention are essential for the effective performance of a function. Tristhana is a yoga principle which stands for the union of these three.

Breathing techniques are simultaneous and synchronized. It is important that a single movement is supposed to accompany only a single breath. Ujjayi Breathing is the Yoga Breathing Technique used in the application of Ashtanga Yoga. The application of this technique must be prolonged with every practice. Holding your pose and breath simultaneously for a long time is what you need to master. Ashtanga Yoga is sure to increase your internal fire. Besides, it strengthens the nervous system.

Both Ashtanga and Tristhana deal with the series of Dristhi. The Dristhi is described as the point on which you gain your focus or attention while doing the Asana. This enables your mind to be purified and stabilized clearly.

Ashtanga Yoga cleanses your mind and body off all sorts of toxin.

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