What is Ashtanga Yoga?

What is the ultimate purpose of Yoga? Why do we twist ourselves in different angles? Why do we feel a certain way when we do Pranayama? And what really is Ashtanga Yoga? If you have been pondering about all these questions, you have arrived at the right place, because we intend to deal with these questions right away.

Yoga is the union of mind, body and soul in such a way that it is in perfect alignment to experience deeper spiritual awareness, of knowing the higher reality, of knowing one’s own self. But nowadays, yoga has come to mean only the physical practice of asanas. So much importance has been given to the physical postures that the subtle objective of experiencing a higher state has been sent back to the ancient texts. The asanas are excellent means of strengthening our body and while it does so, it also strengthens our mind. The Pranayamas through various techniques of breath control, not only increases our quality of breathing but also the calmness of our mind. But Asanas and Pranayamas are only two of the eight limbs of yoga. The other limbs are: Yamas, Niyamas, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyana, Samadhi. So, Ashtanga Yoga is essentially the eight limbs of yoga, arranged in a sequential order, designed to achieve the ultimate purpose of stilling the fluctuations of mind and thereafter experiencing oneness with the superconsciousness.

It is important to note that Patanjali devised a particular order of mastering the eight limbs, without which the experience of Yoga would be incomplete. Before we even begin to attempt the asanas, we need to at least make Yamas and Niyamas a part of our lifestyle. The Yamas and Niyamas or the ‘restraints and observances’ provide the fundamental basis of a yogic personality. Thereafter, we become ready for Asanas. While we are doing the physical postures, we need to keep in mind these principles as they are sure to add a different dimension to our asana practice. For example, when we try our best to reach our toes in Paschimottasana but can’t, we must remember the quality of Tapa and keep on practicing with Satya; the quality of Santosha will help in not being disappointed with our inability to reach our toes and will bring about satisfaction at having reached our maximum potential. In Pranayama, we have to keep our awareness on our breath and back erect, which is easier to do once we have gained a certain basic state of physical strength through asanas. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama together are called Bahiranga Yoga, the practice that is based on Bahiranga Cetana or external consciousness.

When we have mastered the first four limbs or the Bahiranga Yoga, we are ready for our journey inwards, or Antaranga Yoga. Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi are the last four limbs that help us reach our ultimate goal of being one with the Supreme.

Note: In recent times, Shri K Pattabhi Jois has codified and popularised Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, also called the Mysore Yoga which is a combination of six sequential series of yoga, based on the principles of Ashtanga Yoga. But in the true sense of the term, Ashtanga Yoga only refers to the eight limbs of Yoga, as codified by Patanjali.