3. Raja Yoga - Classical Yoga Flashcards

1
Q

What are other names for Raja Yoga?

A

Ashtanga, Patanjali yoga, classical yoga, the eight limbed yoga

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2
Q

Why does Ashtanga yoga have eight limbs?

A

Patanjali believed matter and spirit are separate (dualistic) and the way to connect one with the other is through the eight limbed path and other content within the Yoga Sutras.

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3
Q

What are the Yoga Sutras?

A

Sutras (“thread”) which are in essence a composition of statements that give the reader a thread which strings together the ideas characteristic of that school of thought.

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4
Q

How many chapters are there in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras?

A

4.

  1. Samadhi pada (what yoga is)
  2. Sadhana pada (the first five steps of Ashtanga are outlined - Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara).
  3. Vibhuti pada (outlines the last 3 steps of Ashtanga - Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi).
  4. Kaivalya pada (chapter deals with all other topics that are directly or indirectly connected with the attainment of liberation).
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5
Q

What is Samadhi pada?

A

Chapter outlines what yoga is.

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6
Q

What is Sadhana pada?

A

Chapter outlines the first five steps of Ashtanga are outlined - Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara.

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7
Q

What is Vibhuti pada?

A

Chapter outlines the last 3 steps of Ashtanga - Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.

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8
Q

What is Kaivalya pada?

A

Chapter deals with all other topics that are directly or indirectly connected with the attainment of liberation.

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9
Q

What philosophically, is the purpose of the eight limbs of yoga?

A

It consists of the growing unification of consciousness.

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10
Q

What are the eight limbs of yoga?

A
  1. Yama (external restraints)
  2. Niyama (Internal restraints)
  3. Asana (postures)
  4. Pranayama (breath control)
  5. Pratyahara (sense-withdrawal)
  6. Dharana (concentration)
  7. Dhyana (meditation)
  8. Samadhi (self-awakening)
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11
Q

What are Yamas?

A

External restraints.

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12
Q

What are Niyamas

A

Internal restraints.

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13
Q

How many Niyamas are there?

A

5.

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14
Q

What are the 5 Niyamas?

A
  1. Shaucha (Purity)
  2. Santosha (Contentment)
  3. Tapa (Discipline)
  4. Svadhyaya (Introspection)
  5. Isvara pranidhana (Surrender to the Divine)
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15
Q

What is the difference between the Yamas and Niyamas?

A

The five rules of Yama harmonise the relationship with other beings. The five rules of Niyamas harmonise the individual’s relationship to self and the transcendental reality.

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16
Q

What is Asana?

A

Postures.

17
Q

What is the object of Asana?

A

To eliminate body consciousness. Sitting posture should be steady and straight to facilitate energy flow along a straight spine. If one is disturbed by bodily discomfort due to not being in optimal physical health, the mind cannot concentrate.

18
Q

What is Pranayama?

A

Breath control.

19
Q

What is prana?

A

Prana is the vital energy that sustains life.

20
Q

What is the object of Pranayama?

A

Pranic flow is expressed by breathing. Controlling our breathing promotes control of the yogi’s inner nature.

21
Q

What is Pratyahara?

A

Sense withdrawal.

22
Q

What is the purpose of Pratyahara?

A

For one who wants to meditate, it is very important to introvert oneself from the world of external objects (distractions).

23
Q

What is Dharana?

A

Concentration?

24
Q

What is the purpose of Dharana?

A

The thought waves are slowed down and directed in a continuous flow toward a single object rather than towards many objects. When the mind is concentrated on one point, perception becomes intense.

25
Q

What is Dhyana?

A

Meditation.

26
Q

What are the two stages that precede the practice of Dhyana?

A

Sensory withdrawal (Pratyahara) and concentration (Dharana). Only then will a yoga be prepared for the true practice of Dhyana (meditation).

27
Q

What is Samadhi

A

Self-realisation. It is the ultimate level of consciousness in which a yogi feels ‘at One with the Universe’.

28
Q

How many types of Samadhi exist?

A
  1. Lower Samadhi (Sabeej) and Higher Samadhi (Nirbeej).