What is Ashtanga yoga?

Ashtanga yoga is refered as a system of yoga that contains a group of different asanas as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras, and philosophy. Ashtanga yoga literally means “eight-limbed yoga” and the eight limbs are:

• Yama (moral codes)
• Niyama (self-purification and study)
• Asana (posture)
• Pranayama (breath control)
• Pratyahara (sense control)
• Dharana (concentration)
• Dhyana (Meditation)
• Samadhi (absorption into the universal)

The first four limbs are considered as external cleansing practices and the other four are internal cleansing practices. The external cleansing practices are correctable while the internal cleansing practices are not correctable and can be dangerous to the mind unless the correct Ashtanga yoga is followed.

To perform this asana correctly one must incorporate the use of vinyasa and tristhana. Vinyasa refers to breathing and movement system. The purpose of vinyasa is for internal bleeding.

Tristhana refers to the union of three places of attention: posture, breathing system and looking place.