Ashtanga Yoga: Practice And Philosophy

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The word Ashtanga is comprised of two Sanskrit words, "Ashta" and "Anga." "Ashta" refers to the number eight, while "Anga" means limb or body part. Therefore, Ashtanga is the union of the eight limbs of yoga, into one complete, holistic system. These eight-limbs of yoga represent the various branches of the philosophy of the yoga sutras that form the foundation in the Ashtanga Yoga School. The Ashtanga philosophy is to integrate all of the eight limbs of yoga, which include: Yama (moral codes), Niyama (self-discipline), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (oneness with the self). Ashtanga is a very dynamic and athletic form of hatha yoga, made up of six series or levels, with a fixed order of postures. It is rooted in vinyasa, the flowing movements between postures, with a focus on energy and breath. While it is a very physical practice, it also promotes mental clarity and inner peace. Whether new to Ashtanga or an experienced student or teacher, readers will find this book to be invaluable.

Farhan Zaidi is a yoga teacher, author, and scholar. He is the founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Institute, and he has been teaching yoga for over 20 years. Zaidi is a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, and he has also studied other forms of yoga, including Hatha Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga. His work has been praised for its clarity, depth, and insights into the practice of yoga. Zaidi is also a frequent speaker at yoga conferences and workshops, and he has taught yoga all over the world. Zaidi is a passionate advocate for yoga, and he believes that it can be a powerful tool for physical, mental, and spiritual transformation. He is committed to sharing the benefits of yoga with others, and he is inspired by the many ways that yoga can help people to live healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.

Falguni Damodaran is a highly esteemed author and renowned expert in the field of yoga, specializing in the practice and philosophy of Yoga. Her years of teaching experience and personal practice have enriched her work, allowing her to offer valuable insights and practical guidance to yoga practitioners at all levels. As an active participant in the yoga community, Falguni Damodaran has contributed to various research projects, exploring the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga. Her research findings have been published in reputable journals and publications, establishing her as a respected authority in the field. Falguni Damodaran has also been invited to speak at numerous seminars and conferences, where she has shared her expertise and engaged in meaningful discussions with fellow scholars and yoga enthusiasts.

The word Ashtanga is comprised of two Sanskrit words, "Ashta" and "Anga." "Ashta" refers to the number eight, while "Anga" means limb or body part. Therefore, Ashtanga is the union of the eight limbs of yoga, into one complete, holistic system. These eight-limbs of yoga represent the various branches of the philosophy of the yoga sutras that form the foundation in the Ashtanga Yoga School. The Ashtanga philosophy is to integrate all of the eight limbs of yoga, which include: Yama (moral codes), Niyama (self-discipline), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (oneness with the self). Ashtanga yoga is Patanjali's classification of classical yoga, as set out in his Yoga Sutras. He defined the eight limbs as yamas (abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (posture), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption). The eight limbs form a sequence from the outer to the inner. The posture, asana, must be steady and comfortable for a long time, in order for the yogi to practice the limbs from pranayama until samadhi. The main aim is kaivalya, discernment of Purusha, the witness-conscious, as separate from prakriti, the cognitive apparatus. and disentanglement of Purusha from its muddled defilements.

The Yoga Sutras incorporated the teachings of many other Indian philosophical systems prevalent at the time. According to Zimmer, Samkhya and Yoga are two of several schools of philosophy that originated over the centuries that had common roots in the pre-Aryan cultures and traditions of India. Yet, the orthodox Hindu philosophies. of Samkhya, Yoga, Vedanta, as well as the non-orthodox Nastika systems of Jainism and Buddhism can all be seen as representing one stream of spiritual activity in ancient India, in contrast to the Bhakti traditions and Vedic ritualism which were also prevalent at the same time.

**Contents and Sample Pages**