Jan. 11, 2013- Getting to know Ashtanga

          Its a Moon day, which means no physical practice. Which makes for a lengthy blog post. 

          I've had a few readers and friends ask "What is Ashtanga?"or "What made you choose Ashtanga over another type of yoga?"..  I figured I'd answer these to the best of my ability. Now do not get things twisted, I'm not a pro-yogi or some master of what Ashtanga is. I'm a student of the practice. So I'm only able to answer these questions from my own view point and what I have learned. While there is a of Sanskrit in yoga, I will try to include the translation to English also to the best of my ability. So let's begin!

            I think it is best to get a grasp on what Yoga is first, in order to better understand what Ashtanga is. So what is Yoga? More often than not, if you ask someone that question they respond with "a form of exercise". They are not fully wrong, nor are they completely right. They tend of have this vision in their heads of a room full of sweaty people, twisting in to odd shapes, for no reason but a tone body. I can't help but to giggle at that stereotype. Yoga in the traditional sense is seen as upaya (path). Great, what does that mean? A path to where? Let's go a little deeper. Yoga originated in India. Its roots are deeply immersed in the Hindu religion. In fact yoga is spoken of in some of the oldest scriptures in the world, the Vedas, or sacred texts of  Hinduism. With that said, yoga is seen as a path to Atman. The Vedanta explain Atman as the soul of men, and all souls are a part of this infinite, almighty supreme singular spirit, or Universal Self. Yogis are taught Nishkama Karma (to perform actions without personal gain, and to offer all these actions to God). Patanjali (the founder of the science of yoga) tells us that "yoga is the process of ending the definitions of the field of consciousness" {- Patanjali Yoga Sutras i:2 }. Yoga gives us the means to find our true nature and through the practice of yoga we can find the Universal Self. That is my understanding of what yoga is. I'm sure there is more to the meaning and the word. I am not Hindu, but I see yoga as a way to find yourself by letting go of the "I" and "mine". It's also a way find a higher power, no matter what higher power you believe in. I'll give you a moment to process that all.

            So what is Ashtanga yoga? The word Ashtanga means eight limbs. These eight limbs direct us to finding the Universal Self. I will not go into much details with these but I just want to skim the surface so you understand them.

            I - The 5 Yamas- Or the Don'ts (Universal Morality)

                                    Ahimsa - Do not harm (Compassion for all living things)

                                    Satya- Do not lie (Commitment to truthfulness)

                                    Asteya- Do not steal

                                    Brahmacharya- Do not lose control of  Vital (bodily) Fluids (Mostly refers to romantic activity, to commit to one partner and use the relationship to foster our understanding of the highest truths, to avoid using this energy in any way that may harm another.)

                                    Aparigraha- Do not be greedy

            II- The 5 Niyamas - Or the Do's (Personal Observances)

                                    Shaucha - Purity and cleanliness

                                    Santosha- Contentment

                                    Tapas- Austerity (Discipline)

                                    Swadhyaya - Self Study/ Study of scriptures

                                    Ishwarapranidhana-  Celebration of the spiritual (surrender to god's will)

            III - Asana - Body postures (or physical practice)

            IV- Pranayama - Breath Control

            V- Pratyahara - Withdrawal of senses (reverting inward)

            VI- Dharana - Concentration (still mind)

            VII- Dhyana- Meditation (Devotion to the Divine)

            VIII- Samadhi - Union with the Divine (how a liberated soul can enjoy pure awareness with its pure identity, or ecstasy.)

            *It is said that through Asana and Pranayama that Dharana can be reached. Once Dharana is obtained, Dhyana and Samadhi can follow.

            So that is a little on the philosophy. So what about the physical practice of Ashtanga?

            The physical practice of Asana includes an opening and ending Mantra, Vinyasa (combining breath and movement), Rechaka (exhalation), Puraka (inhalation), Dhyana (meditation), Drishti (gaze), and the bandhas (or body locks, such as sucking in on the low belly, or called uddiyana bandha. There are three body locks; the anus, the stomach, and the throat.)

            Asana is to be performed in doors, is what is known as a Shala. Practice is be held 6 days a week, except Saturdays, and it is vital to observe "Moon days" or the new and full moons. On these days Asana should not be practiced due to the higher risk of injury.

            Surya Namaskara, or sun salutations, must be preformed prior to the yoga asanas. It is to attain the blessings of the Sun God, in order to live a healthy life. The best time to do surya namaskara is at sun rise, so you may greet and rejoice in the sun. Surya namaskara is also to awaken the inner fire, it helps bring the heart rate up and the blood flow to the muscles. In Ashtanga we do a total of 10, five surya namaskara A and five surya namaskara B.

            Once Surya Namaskara is completed, we move on to the Primary Ashtanga Series, which if I'm correct holds a total of 42 asanas, some having multiple variations. Some people choose to learn only one asana at a time until it is mastered, before moving on to the next. While some people follow all 42 asanas and variations strung together. The choice is really up to the solo practitioner or to the yoga instructor if you take classes.  If you take classes there two types. A led class where the teacher takes the whole room through the asanas strung together, or a Mysore class. Mysore style comes from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) where in the city of Mysore, India he taught a method from the usual modern way. In a Mysore Class the class is not led as a whole, instead it focuses on a one-on-one with the student and the teacher, where the teacher gives physical adjustments and verbal commands. In Mysore style, students practice Asanas at their own pace and skill level. The common chuckle most students get after attending a Mysore Style class, is they are left saying "My Sore Body".  

            That is about as much as I can sum up about Ashtanga right now. I know it was a lot and I'm probably missing pieces and I may even have a few things wrong. But it is truly my understanding of "What Ashtanga is". So if I'm wrong, I look forward to anyone who can correct me or give me further knowledge.

            As for the last question, Why I chose Ashtanga? I can't really say, to be honest, I think it chose me. I have always been told that if you are drawn to something outside of your norm, it's because in a past life it was who you were.  The only thing, I can really say about this path of Ashtanga and myself , is I'm truly grateful for it. I find it challenging and rewarding on so many levels.

Om Namah Shivaya

I bow to Shiva