Ashtanga Yoga is the type of yoga which was created and established by a master named K. Pattabhi Jois. Due to it’s theory containing eight different limbs, or components, it is also known as “Eight-Limb Yoga”. It doesn’t imply that the practitioner has a double set of limbs, but master Pattabhi Jois showed that the optimum path of purification is made up of the eight spiritual practices.
The basic idea is that these limbs only can be kept in balance by the appropriate application of the Ashtanga Yoga method.
The first four limbs that symbolize Ashtanga Yoga, and are considered externally correctable are (original names within double quotes):
– Moral codes or “yama”
– Self-purification or “niyama”
– Posture or “asana”
– Breath control or “pranayama”
Then there is the other set of limbs which are the internal practices:
– Sense control or “pratyahara”
– Meditation or “dhyana”
– Concentration or “dharana”
– Contemplation or “samadhi”
K. Pattabhi Jois declared that practicing these Eight Limbs as well as its sub-limbs of the external practices which contain the niyama and yama is impossible. In doing so, the body should be strong so that it can technically perform the methods well enough. If the body is weak, and the sense organs are not functioning well, practicing will never be productive at all.
This is a primary philosophy that K. Pattabhi Jois has applied, it is of prime importance for the Asthanga practitioner to learn and understand this way of thinking. This will make you confident in that the body will significantly improve and become stronger and healthier.
Vinsaya and Tristhana are performed in Ashtanga Yoga.
The Vinsaya is a style that makes Ashtanga and its fundamental principles different from the others. Vinsaya basically means the movement and breathing which is used effectively together in order to cleanse the body. Each movement done is accompanied by only one breath. Sweat is the most important product of Vinsaya. When you produce sweat, it only indicates that you are successfully applying the method. When you perform the Asanas, or postures, the body produces heat which causes your blood to “boil” and excrete the toxins outside of your body. The contaminations are found in your sweat. So the more sweat you produce, the more toxins are released. This is the natural way for the body to get rid of unwanted substances.
The poses are used to fully develop the physical strength and health of the body. It is the sequence of practices that make this possible. There are three postures used in Ashtaga Yoga.
The three are grouped on different levels:
– The first is the Primary Series which aims on aligning the body and also detoxifying it.
– The second is the Intermediate Series opening and cleansing the energy channels which comes to the process of purifying the Nervous System.
– The last series would be the Advanced Series from A to D. In this set, the grace and strength are assessed.
The Tristhana is another yoga principle which symbolizes the close union of the three places of action and attention. First is the posture, second is the breathing technique ad last is the Dristhi of the Looking Place. All these three should work altogether to perform a function.
The breathing is always controlled and synchronized with the movements, in such a way that each movement is accompanied by breath. Ujjayi Breathing is the Yoga Breathing Technique used in the implementation of Ashtanga Yoga. Applying this ancient technique is something that you should work on gradually in your daily practise. What you need to master is holding your pose longer at the same time hold your breath. This is an amazing breathing exercise that will intensify your internal fire and will toughen the Nervous System.
Both Ashtanga and Tristhana deal with the series of Dristhi. The Dristhi is defined as the point on which you acquire your focus or concentration while doing the Asana. This allows your mind to be purified and stabilized clearly.
Clearing your mind (that is sometimes compared to an over active monkey) and cleansing it is the ultimate goal in the Eight-Limb Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga.
Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” – Carl Jung
In the literal sense, yoga refers to a system of exercises that help to control the mind, body and the soul of an individual. Practicing yoga helps a mortal being to reach a perfect state of spiritual calmness through the path of action, knowledge and devotion. The term Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which means to unite. Yoga aims to unite the body with the mind and the mind with the soul. Yoga paves the way for an individual to attain a joyous and blissful life. Mind is the central point of yoga practice and thus yoga aims to control the mind and draw it away from attachments or desires.
According to the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, practicing yoga (sadhana) is an art that connects the practitioner to the supreme or the ultimate creator. Practice (abhyasa) of Vairagya (non-grasping) and Meditation (dhyana) are keys to Yoga. With the practice of yoga, an individual attain the knowledge of spiritual insight and reaches a state of ultimate tranquility. Yoga Sutra of Patanjali states that yoga practices pave the way for an individual to reach ultimate freedom. Yoga forms and practices may be different from each other, but each style and methods are more effective than the other. The different patterns of yoga and its practice in various styles are merely different ways of reaching the same divine goal. Practicing Yoga helps an individual to experience a state of physical and spiritual well being. The mind and consciousness of the practitioner are brought under control with yoga practices.
Practicing yoga and meditation helps in achieving the common goal of unity – the unity of mind, body and spirit. A state of eternal bliss can be reached with yoga practices and the individual can feel the connection of oneness with divinity. Music is considered to be the best healer and concentrator. In yoga practice and meditation, music helps to create an apt ambiance by obstructing alien noises, thus helping you to concentrate and relax your senses. Today, with the popularity of yoga practice, there are many companies which offer Yoga DVDs and CDs to guide an individual to a path of holistic health. Spirit Voyage, as one of the pioneer record label company represents artistes who have a deep spiritual connection with their music. The meditation music from Spirit Voyage will enlighten your mind, body and soul and shall soothe you with its spiritual hymns and chants. The collection of Yoga Music CDs and DVDs shall refresh your mood and take your senses to a mystic height. Spirit Voyage also offers variety of yoga accessories like yoga mats, yoga rugs, yoga cushions. Yoga Books for children, General books for practicing Yoga and Kundalini Yoga Books will be a the best guide for practicing yoga. Merge in the feeling of an eternal bliss and experience the ultimate peace of mind with yoga practice and meditation.
The different body postures are the basis of yoga practice and thus wearing the right type of apparel is a must. The yoga clothes must be comfortable enough to allow free movement of various body parts in all Asanas. There are many companies which offer apparels for practicing yoga and meditation and Spirit Voyage is one of them. Spirit Voyage offers Yoga Clothing for women and men. These yoga clothing are all white or off-white colored, stitched in natural fibers. The white color absorbs all other colors and is the source of radiant energy. The natural fibers provide a high level of comfort to the practitioner and shall allow proper blood circulation through out the body. Choose the Women’s Cord Embroidered Kurta,the Soft Tie Kurta, Kundalini Kurta or Rayon Summer Tank Top for daily yoga practice and meditation. These apparels would help you to relax and achieve the full level of concentration.
For practice of yoga, it is always recommended to wear stretchable clothes which allow free movement of body parts. The clothes should be light-weight and must be of such quality that it absorbs sweat easily. The collection of cotton shirts and Linen Shirts are some of the most exclusive yoga apparel for men that Spirit Voyage offers. Cotton and Sweat Pants for practicing Kundalini Yoga, shall help the practitioner perform the poses with much ease. These sweat pants are comfortable and feature elastic waist and elastic around the ankles cuffs and thus help to practice the different yoga poses with utmost ease. Spirit Voyage yoga apparels also include Double Button Shirt, Rajasthani Wrap Pants, Capri Wrap Pants for men.
Choosing the proper clothing for meditation is an utmost necessity. Meditation apparels must be comfortable. The clothes which cling to the body or pinches the body parts are not apt for meditation. The apparel for meditation should breathe and allow air to get into the practitioner’s skin. Spirit Voyage offers apparels for yoga practices and meditation which include Kidari Flare Pants, Rayon Yoga Pants for men and women. The elasticity and the durability are the trademark feature of these apparels. Spirit Voyage offers cotton triangle bandana or head cover for both and women. These apparels will help to keep the head cool during yoga practice in hot days. Yoga blankets are one of the important yoga clothing and meditation. Spirit Voyage offers yoga blankets for meditation and practicing yoga. These blankets are made of sweat absorbing materials and provide extra height, helping to maintain the yoga pose. These blankets shall complement the meditation practice by providing extra warmth.
Spirit Voyage merges devotion in music and with their Yoga DVDs and CDs, it aims to guide every listener on an inward journey. The company, with its collection of yoga music CDs and DVDs intends to help an individual attain a state of purity, peace and tranquility. The Kundalini Yoga Music collection will melt away your stress and pressure and shall guide you into a state of relaxation. Energize yourself by listening to the pieces from Mirabai Ceiba, Snatam Kaur, Wah, Manish Vyas, Shakta Kaur Khalsa and many others and let an unearthly peace conquer you and your senses. Nourish your mind and soul with Meditation Music from Spirit Voyage and let the attributes like ego, anger, lust, greed all become oblivion entities. Connect yourself to the Omnipotent as your mind reach the state of spiritual perfection.
In this article, I am going to highlights the grounds that can motivate you in selecting an eco-friendly Yoga Mat over a synthetically or sticky manufactured one. In the entire article, I will discusses the features that make you understand that the eco-friendly yoga mats provide lots of benefits to the practitioners and the entire planet as these mats do not leave harmful effects in to the atmosphere.
As per my knowledge and experience, I know that selecting an eco-friendly mat is the wisest choice for you and the world. Most of common mat brands available in the market are designed and made using synthetic materials that are harmful for you and your atmosphere. The toxic materials like PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) in sticky mats can badly affect your respiratory systems and you may have difficulty in taking breaths. The production process of the mats using PVC generates toxic waste that harms the atmosphere around you. In addition to this, dioxins and several other carcinogens are discharged in to the environment during the manufacturing process of the synthetic Yoga Mats . On the contrary, eco-friendly yoga mats are designed and made using Eva foam, natural rubber and other biodegradable materials that do not affect the atmosphere and prevent the pollution.
The eco-friendly pads are beneficial during the practice of yoga. These pads have more grips on the floor as compared to the pads made of plastics or synthetic materials. So, you can do your yoga practice without the fear of slip. Most of eco yoga mats are thicker that others and provide better support to the practitioners during various asanas of yoga. The yoga mats having slightly rough textures help you in standing properly during the asanas of standing postures.
Natural or eco-friendly mats are made using natural materials such as jute, Eva foam, TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastomer), PER (Polymer Environmental Resin) and natural rubber. All these materials are sourced naturally and do not leave any side effects that can pollute the atmosphere. As these are biodegradable so you can destroy your yoga mats if not in use easily without affecting the environment. Further, the yoga mats made of eco-friendly materials are skin friendly and last longer that make your investment a wise decision. It is you who have to decide about the selection of your yoga mats and the right decision makes your morning enjoyable and comfortable during the practice.
Summary – As a wise customer, you should go for the Yoga Mats and Kabaddi Mats that are made of eco-friendly materials in order to save the atmosphere around you.
Today’s society is much faster paced that ever before. People have more stress problems which lead to more health problems, mental and physical. There are more concerns with toxicity in the food we eat and the air we breathe. Millions of Americans today live a sedentary lifestyle, which is associated with obesity. The body, the cavities of our soul, was not meant to deteriorate in such a way that leads to disease. Yoga was developed over 5,000 years ago in India and it included spiritual beliefs, physical techniques, and scholarly philosophy.
There is a growing trend to practicing Yoga for many different reasons, which include attaining the yoga body or physique, relaxation and peace of mind, or to prevent injury and ailments. Americans mainly practice Hatha Yoga, which focuses on postures and stretching the body.
Yoga, which is derived from the sacred Sanskrit language of India, meaning *union* or *to yoke or harness*. Yoga is a way or path to transcendence and liberation from the self and the ego by purifying the mind and body. Practicing yoga leads to a union with the mind and body or the individual and universal consciousness. In other words, yoga is the union with the Individual Self and the Universal Self. Yoga predates all other religions and has influenced and inspired many other traditions and philosophies. Yoga is better understood as a union of the physical, physiological, mental, emotional, and intellectual bodies, which leads to a purposeful and balanced life.
There is simply no other discipline quite like yoga because it utilized the body, mind and spirit, all in one practice. Yoga is indeed a spiritual path that is based on ancient sacred philosophy, but one does not need to make an ethical decision when practicing yoga, rather finding your own path is wholly accepted. The holistic benefits of yoga are suitable for the young or old, sick or well, with any religious background. The secrets of yoga are inwardness, concentration, and purification of mind and body with cleansing thoughts and food. Indian philosophy states that within man is the spirit that is the center of everything. *Internal equilibrium is the basis and the ground for the higher illumination,* The cultural Heritage of India (Vol. I) – published by The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata, India
In order to develop your psychic ability, you need to have a greater level of consciousness which could be attained mainly by practicing Yoga. It is an Indian traditional form of breathing meditation by which one can awaken the seven chakras in the body. A person continuously practicing yoga will definitely know how to develop psychic abilities in him. Certain people are born with these psychic powers but some people need to recognize and develop them in due course through various practices. Once you start to practice these methods regularly, you will be able to understand a persons thoughts without verbal communication or sig languages.
Constant practice of yoga assists an individual to keenly concentrate on the spiritual part of his mind. Yoga awakens the Kundalini power and taps the potentiality of spiritualism. It is a form of exercise that assists a person in the transformation of his conscious mind. Thus, the individual would be able to get the difference between his physical body and his soul or spirit. In order to nourish the psychic abilities of a person, there are five major branches of yoga which are the Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Sankya Yoga and the Karma Yoga. These types of yogas help a person to strengthen his psychic abilities.
Meditation along with yoga helps a person to sharpen his inner true power of psychic ability. With regular practice and much patience and guidance, one can easily achieve these powers. Yoga not only is an exercise but also helps in healing our mind from negative thoughts and feelings. By practicing yoga, you completely focus and take control of your mind and can also speak with your sub conscious mind. The breathing pattern practiced in yoga increases the energy level of your body and also changes the waves in the brain.
The foremost thing you need to do is trust yourself and your talents which is very essential for developing your psychic abilities. When practicing yoga or meditation, try to calm your mind and focus on the breathing. Pay more concentration to your sub conscious mind and try to develop your intuitive feeling by listening or imagining. Think of positive things and trash out the negative feelings or beliefs that have been worrying your mind so far. Apart from clearing your mind, you should also take care of your body with proper diet and exercise.
When you start to practice yoga for at least twice a day, you will be able to easily communicate with your sub conscious mind to make it open to the psychic energy. This would speed up the development of the psychic abilities in a person if you are genuinely committed. Once you get into the psychic living, then a healthy lifestyle is assured. It would result in good link between the sub conscious and the conscious min and also intensifies your faith and confidence towards life. Thus, by practicing yoga, one can achieve the super natural powers of psychic energy.