...Patanjali's ashtanga Yoga has eight limbs(parts). In my earlier article, Yama and Niyama have been described briefly. Yama and Niyama are external limbs of yoga; these are to be practised while leading social life. The rest six limbs - Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahar, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are internal limbs of yoga. While practicing these six limbs one concentrates one's mind on true self and realises the divine truth. In this article Asana and Pranayama have been described.

Asana(posture)

Asana is a posture of the body by which the body rests on a plane surface. For different actions man chooses different postures. For Yoga one should choose a comfortable posture by which one may concentrate mind on true self. For choosing a posture Patanjali describes - posture should be motionless and comfortable(II.46). So in Yogasana one rests one's body in a comfortable and static posture so that all other succeeding limbs are practiced easily and one reaches upto the last limb i.e. Samadhi.

Different Schools of yoga teach different Yogic exercises in the name of Yogasana. These Yogasana should be included in Tapa, a type of Niyama. In Tapa a practitioner imparts warmness or heat to the body through the practice of Yogic exercises and thereby the body becomes strong and diseaseless. Tapa and its exercises is external limb of yoga; however the third limb of yoga i.e. Asana is internal limb. Through Yogasana which involves exercise of the body, one can...more

Patanjali's Eight Limbs of yoga

...le for the soul (Jiva). The physical body has basic functional demands, and sensory demands, for pleasure. Transcending awareness beyond the physical senses grants us peace with ourselves.

If the general population of this planet would follow ethical guidelines, and transcend their awareness beyond the physical barrier of the body, we would have world peace. Just to listen, observe, and act, guided b...more

The Philosophy of yoga and How It Applies to Modern Society

...provide spiritual practises, which enable a seeker to accelerate his journey of self-discovery. While religion is often concerned with outer forms and outer rituals, yoga is concerned with individual development and the practical application of spiritual ideas. yoga encompasses all religions but at the same time goes beyond them.

The teachings of yoga originated many thousands of years ago when the Vedic Seers first started to write down their spiritual discoveries and spiritual realizations. Since the Vedic times the teachings of yoga have been refined and updated through a long succession of spiritual Masters and teachers. Although the teachings of yoga have been revised; the essential message of yoga has remained the same; Atmanam viddhi Know Thyself. Although ...more

yoga: Three Reasons You Should Not Do yoga Posture - Warrior III

...The Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)

The Warrior III posture tones and invigorates the whole body.

The Warrior III is a posture that combines strength, balance and focus. It also brings harmony, poise and power. Once in the posture, the body extends flat, perpendicular to the standing leg and parallel to the floor. The balance of the Warrior III comes from the strength of the standing leg and it is important to trust the power of that leg to take your weight.

To keep the balance of thi...more

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