Ashtanga Yoga: A Journey to Inner Harmony

Waking up fresh and energetic; and being ready to start the day: that’s what everyone desires.

However, other days, well, they can be draining and hard.

This is where Ashtanga Yoga comes into play. Such a form of yoga builds up your physical strength and makes your thoughts peaceful. Knowing how it can ease your everyday life.

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Ashtanga Yoga is where you move through different poses while matching your breath with each movement.

You should give a lot of focus and understanding on the way you breathe.

It is also known as ‘Eight Limb Path’.

This style was created by K. Pattabhi Jois, a devoted yogi himself. Your body warms up from within, making your muscles and organs become healthier. You can also feel how the blood circulation in the body has improved.

You become lighter, stronger, and your mind at peace.

The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga

The term "Ashtanga" translates to "eight limbs," referring to the eightfold path outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.
These limbs are:

1. Yama (Good Habits for Life)

• Ahimsa: Path to Non-Violence
• Satya: Path to truthfulness.
• Asteya – Path to not stealing.
• Brahmacharya – Path to self-focus and Celibacy
• Aparigraha – Path to not being greedy

2. Niyama (Good Personal Habits)

• Shoucha – Path to cleanliness
• Santosh – Path to Happiness
• Tapa – Path to Endurance
• Swadhyaya – Path for Self-growth and Self-Study
• Eshwar Pranidhan – Path to Humbleness

3. Asana (Yoga Poses)

• Sitting or standing in a way that makes your body at ease.

4. Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)

• Learning to breathe in control.

5. Pratyahara (Controlling Your Senses)

• Meditating to avoid distractions and to build up your senses.

6. Dharana (Focusing Your Mind)

• Paying full attention to one thing at a time.

7. Dhyan (Meditation)

• Sitting quietly and thinking deeply without distractions.

8. Samadhi (Feeling Pure Happiness and Peace)

• Reaching a state where you feel completely happy and feeling connected to everything.

Unfolding the Ashtanga practice

Sun salutations

Modern Ashtanga Yoga consists of two types of Yoga poses: Surya Namaskar A and Surya Namaskar B (Sun Salutation A and Sun Salutation B).
The Yoga poses in Surya Namaskar A and Surya Namaskar B have been listed below.

Surya Namaskar A Poses:

1. Pranamasana
2. Hasta Uttanasana
3. Padahastasana 
4. Ashwa Sanchalana
5. Parvatasana
6. Dandasana
7. Ashtanga Namaskara
8. Bhujangasana
9. Parvatasana
10. Ashwa Sanchalana
11. Padahastasana 
12. Hasta Uttanasana
13. Pranamasana

Surya Namaskar B Poses: 

1. Utkatasana
2. Uttanasana
3. Ardha Uttanasana
4. Chaturanga Dandasana
5. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
6. Adho Mukha Svanasana
7. Virbhadrasana 1
8. Chaturanga Dandasana
9. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
10. Adho Mukha Svanasana
11. Virbhadrasana 1 (in opposite direction)
12. Chaturangasana
13. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
14. Adho Mukh Svansasan
15. Ardha Uttanasana
16. Uttanasana
17. Utkatasana

Ashtanga Yoga comprises six series:

• Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa): Detoxification and body alignment.
• Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana): The nervous system becomes pure, so as to help the body have proper blood flow.
• Advanced Series A, B, C, and D (Sthira Bhaga): Strength and humbleness is developed.Practitioners typically progress sequentially, mastering each series before advancing.

Disadvantages of Ashtanga Yoga

It has many good sides, but it's also important to know about the disadvantages to this:

Physical Strain: You should be careful while doing it, because you might get hurt because of its difficulty (Advanced Series A, B, C, and D (Sthira Bhaga))

Repetitiveness: Doing it in the same order every time can start to feel boring.

Time Commitment: Practicing every day takes a lot of effort, so you should be dedicated.

Conclusion

Ashtanga Yoga is a practice that focuses on helping you have a proper living.

You build in physical strength, mental clarity, and emotional balance.

Practice this regularly, and you will start to understand how to be more balanced, less stressed, and feel full of energy. 

FAQ’s

Q: Can beginners do Ashtanga Yoga?

A: Yes, but do learn from a good teacher to understand what you're doing and are you doing it the right way.

Q: How long does it take to finish the Primary Series?

A: It usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on how fast and experienced you are.

Q: Can Ashtanga Yoga help you lose weight?

A: Yes. It’s because you become very active and because you use your body, movement is there too. Also do eat healthy.

Q: Is Ashtanga Yoga like cardio exercise?

A: Not exactly. Since you keep moving, your heart beats faster through those poses, which is good for fitness.

Q: How is Ashtanga Yoga different from other types of yoga?

A: It always follows the same order of poses. Like you focus on lot on breathing, also it’s usually done every day.