Ashtanga Yoga - Is it right for you?
Ashtanga Yoga is a type of yoga, which was developed and founded
by K. Pattabhi Jois. This type of yoga is known as the Eight
Limb Yoga, which revolves around Pattanjali's philosophy.
This belief presents that the path of purification consists
of eight spiritual practices.
The first four limbs represented in Ashtanga Yoga are ? yama,
niyama, Asana and the Pranayama. These are considered cleansing
practices, which are external corrections. The other set of
limbs, which are the ? pratyahara, dhyana, dharana, are the
internal practices.
These limbs can only be corrected by the proper application
of the Ashtanga Yoga method.
K. Pattabhi Jois taught the body must be strong and the sense
organs must function well, or the practice of this yoga style
would be in vain. With these elements in place, however, Astanga
yoga will improve the body and keep it stronger and healthier.
Vinsaya and Tristhana are practiced in Ashtanga Yoga.
The Vinsaya is a style that makes Ashtanga and
its principles distinct from the other types of yoga.. Vinsaya
is the movement and breathing techniques used for the internal
cleansing process. Each movement executed is accompanied by
only one breath.
Sweat is the most important product of Vinsaya. When you produce
sweat, it means that you are successfully applying the practice.
When you perform the Asanas, or yoga poses, the body creates
heat, which causes your blood to warm and excrete the toxins
to the outside of your body. The toxins are found in your sweat.
So the more sweat you create, the more toxins are released.
The poses are used to fully develop the strength and health
of the body. The series of practices is designed to make this
possible.
There are three postures used in Ashtaga Yoga, classified in
three different levels.
The first is the Primary Series, which
aims to align the body and also detoxify it.
The second is the Intermediate Series, to
open and clean the energy channels, which assists the process
of purifying the Nervous System.
The third and last series is the Advanced Series
from A to D. In this series, grace and strength is measured.
The Tristhana is another yoga principle which
represents the union of the three places of action and attention.
First is the posture, second is the breathing technique and
last is the Dristhi of the Looking Place. All these three should
work together to perform a function.
Breathing techniques are simultaneous and synchronized. It is
important to make a single breath for one movement. Ujjayi Breathing
is the Yoga Breathing Technique used in the application of Ashtanga
Yoga. You need to master holding your pose longer while at the
same time holding your breath. This is an amazing breathing
exercise that will increase your internal fire and will strengthen
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 with clarity..
Clearing and cleansing the mind it can only be done in the Eight-Limb
Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga.
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