8 Limbs

Question 1

What does Ashtanga Mean

Answer 1

Asht = 8 - Anga = Limbs
Moral and ethical code of conduct and self discipline

Begins outside - in
Body / Energy / Mind

Question 2

What are the first 4 limbs connected to?

Answer 2

Mastery over the physical body (the temple of the spirit). External yoga.

Question 3

What are the last 4 limbs concerned with?

Answer 3

Gaining mastery over self. Internal yoga.

Question 4

What are the first 4 limbs?

Answer 4

Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama

Question 5

What are the last 4 limbs?

Answer 5

Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi

Question 6

What are Yamas?

Answer 6

My contract with the world. How you treat others. They are the foundation of the 8 limbs, the roots.

Question 7

The 5 Yamas?

Answer 7

1. Asteya
2. Aparighara
3. Ahimsa
4. Brahmacharya
5. Satya

Question 8

Yama: Asteya

Answer 8

1. Root Chakra - Muladhara

Non-stealing. Material Possessions or time/ideas. Not taking anything that is not freely offered.

Question 9

Yama: Aparigraha

Answer 9

2. 2nd Chakra - Sacral - Svadisthana
   Pleasure

Greedlessness. Non-over indulgence. Free from desire/wanting more. Allow for healthy pleasures. Acknowledge abundance and practice gratitude.

Question 10

Yama: Ahimsa

Answer 10

3. 3rd Chakra- Solar Plexus - Manipura
   Solar Plexus

Non-Violence. Words, thoughts, deeds.

Question 11

Yama: Brahmacharya

Answer 11

Fourth Chakra - Heart - Anahata

Sexual restraint - in charge of what you create. Conserve for other purposes.

Question 12

Yama: Satya

Answer 12

5. 5th Chakra - Throat Center - Vishudda

Truthfulness. Authentic voice. Mean what you say, allow others the same. Cosmic library.

Question 13

What are Niyamas?

Answer 13

My contract with myself. What’s on the inside.

Question 14

The 5 Niyamas

Answer 14

1. Svadhyaya
2. Saucha
3. Tapas
4. Santosha
5. Ishvara Pranidhana

Question 15

Niyama: Svadhyaya

Answer 15

1. 1st Chakra - Root - Muladhara
   Self study - journaling, being a life scientist, not critical but analytical. Self knowledge.

Question 16

Niyama: Saucha

Answer 16

2. 2nd Chakra - sacral - Svadhisthana
   Purity and outer cleanliness. Both body (hygiene) and mind cleanliness. Pranayama - breathing to cleanse energy.

Question 17

Niyama: Tapas

Answer 17

3. 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.

Question 18

Niyama: Santosha

Answer 18

4. 4th Chakra - Heart - Anahata
   Contentment. Accepting life as it is. In the eye of the hurricane. Easy come, easy go.

Question 19

Niyama: Ishvara Pranidhana

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

3rd Limb: Asanas

Answer 20

Postures. The physical yoga/alignment of the body. Asana means comfortable seat.

Purpose is to prepare the body for meditation.

Question 21

4th Limb: Pranayama

Answer 21

Energy control. Prana = energy /Yama= control. Breath is the physical manifestation of prana that connects all aspects of perception.

Question 22

5th Limb: Pratyahara

Answer 22

Sense Withdrawal. Turning inward. Removing yourself from your daily routine.

Question 23

6th Limb: Dharana

Answer 23

Choosing a focus. Concentration that leads to meditation. Breath, Mantra, Mandala, Coloring, Drishti. Leads into 7th limb, Dhyana.

Question 24

7th limb: Dhyana

Answer 24

Meditative absorption. Reaching flow state - no time, no thought. Full immersion in an activity.

Question 25

8th limb: Samadhi

Answer 25

Pure bliss, pure consciousness. Complete attention. Immersed in the electromagnetic ocean. The ego takes a vacation.