| Ashtanga is a Sanskrit word, which is created by | | | | Santosha(contentment), Tapas(heat), |
| joining two words, ashta and anga. Ashta means eight. | | | | Svadhyaya(study of the supreme), Ishvara |
| Anga is translated as limbs or steps. Ashtanga Yoga | | | | Pranidhana(surrender to the supreme). |
| refers to the eight aspects of Yoga practice. Yoga is | | | | The Asana practice is the gateway into the steps of |
| union. Yoga is a tangible method of attaining liberation | | | | Ashtanga Yoga. Asana practice, which includes |
| from suffering and ultimate realization of supreme | | | | Pranayama, returns the body to a radiant state of |
| consciousness. | | | | health and purifies the subtle energy body. This |
| The eight aspects of Yoga practice are | | | | prepares the mind for meditation and encourages |
| Yama(restraints), Niyama(observances), | | | | dis-functional behavior patterns to be abandoned. |
| Asana(posture), pranayama(breath control), | | | | The Ashtanga Vinyasa System, refers to a method of |
| Pratyahara(withdrawal of the senses), | | | | Yoga practice, which was described in the Yoga |
| Dharana(concentration), Dhyana(meditation) and | | | | Kurunta, by Vamana Rishi. It includes hundreds of |
| Samadhi(absorption). | | | | postures, which are sequentially linked by Vinyasa. |
| The Yamas are the moral codes, which free the mind | | | | Vinyasa is the breath-initiated movement between |
| and life of a yoga practitioner from undesirable | | | | postures. |
| thoughts and feelings resulting from incorrect actions. | | | | Three actions are emphasized in the Ashtanga |
| The Yamas include, Ahimsa(non-violence), | | | | Vinyasa method. Bandhas(locks or energy seals), |
| Satya(truthfulness), Asteya(non-theft), | | | | Dristi(the gaze or looking place in each posture) and |
| Brahmacharya(preserving vital energy) and | | | | Oujaii Pranayama(a sound induced breath applied to |
| Aparighraha(non-envy). | | | | both the inhaling and exhaling breath). |
| The Niyamas are those thoughts and activities, which | | | | When these principles are applied continuously, the |
| promote a state of mind, which is conducive to Yoga. | | | | Asana practice reveals the culmination of Ashtanga |
| The Niyamas include Saucha(cleanliness), | | | | Yoga. |