What Are The Eight Limbs Of Ashtanga Yoga And What They Mean

                           

Ashtanga Yoga can also be translated as the “eight-limbed path” yoga. The eight limbs are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. This system of yoga was created by Sage Patañjali in 200 CE and is based on a series of writings called the Yoga Sutras.

The eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga can be described this way:

Yama: ethical behavior, self-control, and nonviolence

Niyama: religious observances and self-purification

Asana: postures that are held for a long time and are done to prepare the body for meditation

Pranayama: breath control that is done to prepare the body for meditation

Pratyahara: sense withdrawal, where you focus on your breath with your eyes closed and try not to be distracted by sounds or other sensations

Dharana: concentration, where you focus your attention on one thing for a long period of time (like when you're reading this blog post)

Dhyana: meditation, where you sit in stillness and become aware of yourself as well as your surroundings

Samadhi: total absorption in one thing

What is the difference between Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga?

Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga are two styles of yoga that share a lot in common, but there are some key differences that set them apart.

In both Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga, you'll be using your breath to help guide your movements. In Ashtanga, you'll focus on one pose at a time without moving on to the next until you feel ready. When you reach that point, you'll come out of the pose and transition into the next.

In Vinyasa Yoga, however, poses are connected together with transitions between each pose. You'll hold each pose for only a few breaths before transitioning into the next pose.

Both styles engage your entire body and focus on building strength through movement and breathwork. They also both offer a sense of mindfulness while giving your body a chance to move freely and express itself physically in ways that may not be possible when sitting still or lying down in other types of yoga classes or activities like meditation or restorative poses where you're not actively engaging with all parts of your body.

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