Ashtanga: The Eight Limbs

Yoga is a science of living...

the ultimate holistic health system for mind, body and spirit. Patanjali's eight-limbed scientific system, as described in the yoga Sutras, is called Ashtanga. It includes moral codes for right living, physical postures, breathing practices, withdrawal of the senses, and three meditation steps culminating in Samadhi, or union with God. It is said that practicing the eight steps will lead a seeker from ignorance to truth.

1. Yama — Social ethical principles, how you treat others. More information is available at SpiritWeb.

* Ahimsa — Non-violence
* Satya — Truthfulness
* Asteya — Non-stealing
* Brahmachara — Chastity
* Aparigraha — Non-covetousness

2. Niyama — Personal ethical disciplines, how you treat yourself. Check SpiritWeb for more information.

* Shaucha — Purity
* Santosa — Contentment
* Tapas — Self-discipline, will for liberation
* Svadhyaya — Mindfulness, self-inquiry
* Ishvara-Pranidhana — Surrender or devotion to God.

3. Asana — Physical practice of postures.

4. Pranayama — Breathing, breath, life force.

5. Pratyahara — Withdrawal of the senses.

6. Dharana — Mental concentration.

7. Dhyana — Unbroken mental focus.

8. Samadhi — Absorption/Union with the absolute.

Don't Get Confused!

The name Ashtanga has been borrowed to also describe a yoga style practiced in the West by followers of Pattabhi Jois, a situation that is creating a lot of confusion both outside and within the yoga community. To add to the confusion, some of Jois' followers are now calling ashtanga style yoga, "Power Yoga." Here in Los Angeles, a yoga teacher named Brian Guest, has several videos out on Power Yoga.

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