8 Limbs Flashcards
What does Ashtanga Mean
Asht = 8 - Anga = Limbs
Moral and ethical code of conduct and self discipline
Begins outside - in
Body / Energy / Mind
What are the first 4 limbs connected to?
Mastery over the physical body (the temple of the spirit). External yoga.
What are the last 4 limbs concerned with?
Gaining mastery over self. Internal yoga.
What are the first 4 limbs?
Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama
What are the last 4 limbs?
Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi
What are Yamas?
My contract with the world. How you treat others. They are the foundation of the 8 limbs, the roots.
The 5 Yamas?
- Asteya
- Aparighara
- Ahimsa
- Brahmacharya
- Satya
Yama: Asteya
- Root Chakra - Muladhara
Non-stealing. Material Possessions or time/ideas. Not taking anything that is not freely offered.
Yama: Aparigraha
- 2nd Chakra - Sacral - Svadisthana
Pleasure
Greedlessness. Non-over indulgence. Free from desire/wanting more. Allow for healthy pleasures. Acknowledge abundance and practice gratitude.
Yama: Ahimsa
- 3rd Chakra- Solar Plexus - Manipura
Solar Plexus
Non-Violence. Words, thoughts, deeds.
Yama: Brahmacharya
Fourth Chakra - Heart - Anahata
Sexual restraint - in charge of what you create. Conserve for other purposes.
Yama: Satya
- 5th Chakra - Throat Center - Vishudda
Truthfulness. Authentic voice. Mean what you say, allow others the same. Cosmic library.
What are Niyamas?
My contract with myself. What’s on the inside.
The 5 Niyamas
- Svadhyaya
- Saucha
- Tapas
- Santosha
- Ishvara Pranidhana
Niyama: Svadhyaya
- 1st Chakra - Root - Muladhara
Self study - journaling, being a life scientist, not critical but analytical. Self knowledge.
Niyama: Saucha
- 2nd Chakra - sacral - Svadhisthana
Purity and outer cleanliness. Both body (hygiene) and mind cleanliness. Pranayama - breathing to cleanse energy.
Niyama: Tapas
- 3rd Chakra - Solar Plexus - Manipura
Loving self discipline. The fire within. Change occurs when heat is created by a new pattern bumping against an old positive one. The heat it generates will both burn away impurities and kindle the spark of the light within.
Niyama: Santosha
- 4th Chakra - Heart - Anahata
Contentment. Accepting life as it is. In the eye of the hurricane. Easy come, easy go.
Niyama: Ishvara Pranidhana
5th Chakra - Throat - Vishuddha
Surrender to the universe. We don’t know everything. Having humility and faith. Faith in imagination, surrender. Taking a leap of faith.
3rd Limb: Asanas
Postures. The physical yoga/alignment of the body. Asana means comfortable seat.
Purpose is to prepare the body for meditation.
4th Limb: Pranayama
Energy control. Prana = energy /Yama= control. Breath is the physical manifestation of prana that connects all aspects of perception.
5th Limb: Pratyahara
Sense Withdrawal. Turning inward. Removing yourself from your daily routine.
6th Limb: Dharana
Choosing a focus. Concentration that leads to meditation. Breath, Mantra, Mandala, Coloring, Drishti. Leads into 7th limb, Dhyana.
7th limb: Dhyana
Meditative absorption. Reaching flow state - no time, no thought. Full immersion in an activity.
