Ashtanga Flashcards
What are the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga?
Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.
True or False: Ashtanga Yoga is solely focused on physical postures.
False.
Fill in the blank: The first limb of Ashtanga Yoga is called _____ .
Yama.
What does ‘Yama’ refer to in Ashtanga Yoga?
Yama refers to ethical standards and moral values.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT one of the Yamas? A) Ahimsa B) Satya C) Dhyana D) Asteya
C) Dhyana.
What is the second limb of Ashtanga Yoga?
Niyama.
True or False: Niyama involves personal observances.
True.
Fill in the blank: The limb that focuses on physical postures is called _____ .
Asana.
What is the purpose of Pranayama in Ashtanga Yoga?
Pranayama focuses on breath control.
Multiple Choice: Which limb involves the practice of withdrawal of the senses? A) Pranayama B) Pratyahara C) Dharana D) Dhyana
B) Pratyahara.
What does ‘Dharana’ mean in the context of Ashtanga Yoga?
Dharana refers to concentration.
True or False: Dhyana is the practice of meditation.
True.
What is the ultimate goal of Samadhi in Ashtanga Yoga?
Achieve a state of bliss and union with the divine.
Fill in the blank: The practice of meditation in Ashtanga Yoga is known as _____ .
Dhyana.
What does ‘Ahimsa’ mean?
Ahimsa means non-violence.
Multiple Choice: Which Niyama emphasizes cleanliness? A) Santosha B) Saucha C) Tapas D) Svadhyaya
B) Saucha.
How does Asana promote physical health?
Asana promotes physical strength and flexibility.
True or False: Pranayama can help reduce stress and anxiety.
True.
What is the focus during the practice of Pratyahara?
The focus is on withdrawing the senses from external stimuli.
Fill in the blank: The practice of sustained attention is known as _____ .
Dharana (concentration)
What does ‘Samadhi’ signify in the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga?
Samadhi signifies a state of ecstasy and self-realization.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a Yama? A) Brahmacharya B) Aparigraha C) Sadhana D) Satya
C) Sadhana.
What is the significance of ‘Tapas’ in Niyama?
Tapas signifies self-discipline and austerity.
True or False: The limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are practiced in a specific order.
True.
Fill in the blank: The practice of self-study in Niyama is known as _____ .
Svadhyaya.
What is the role of meditation (Dhyana) in spiritual practice?
Dhyana aids in achieving deeper states of awareness and insight.
Multiple Choice: Which limb is concerned with ethical behavior towards others? A) Niyama B) Yama C) Asana D) Pranayama
B) Yama.
what is Svadhyaya?
Self-study. It involves intentional self awareness in all we think, feel, and do, always coming anew to our sense of the truth.
What are the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga?
Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
True or False: Yama is the first limb of Ashtanga Yoga.
True.
Fill in the blank: The second limb of Ashtanga Yoga is called ______.
Niyama.
What does ‘Asana’ refer to in Ashtanga Yoga?
Asana refers to the physical postures or poses practiced in yoga.
Which limb of Ashtanga Yoga focuses on breath control?
Pranayama.
True or False: Pratyahara is the limb that deals with sensory withdrawal.
True.
What is the primary focus of Dharana?
Dharana focuses on concentration and the ability to focus the mind on a single point.
Multiple choice: Which limb of Ashtanga Yoga is characterized by meditation? A) Yama B) Dhyana C) Niyama
B) Dhyana.
True or False: Niyama includes personal observances and ethical guidelines.
True.
Fill in the blank: The ethical standards in Yama include non-violence, truthfulness, and ______.
non-stealing.
What is the relationship between Asana and physical health?
Asana promotes physical health and flexibility through the practice of yoga postures.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a limb of Ashtanga Yoga? A) Pranayama B) Meditation C) Chakra
C) Chakra.
What does the limb of Pratyahara involve?
Pratyahara involves withdrawing the senses from external stimuli.
True or False: Dhyana is a practice that requires no focus or concentration.
False.
Fill in the blank: The practice of ______ is often referred to as the ‘stillness of the mind’ in Ashtanga Yoga.
Samadhi.
What are the five Niyamas in Ashtanga Yoga?
Saucha (purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (self-discipline), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to a higher power).
What is the purpose of Pranayama in yoga practice?
The purpose of Pranayama is to regulate and control the breath for improved energy and mental clarity.
True or False: The practice of Asana is only for physical fitness.
False.
Multiple choice: Which limb is most directly associated with self-discipline? A) Yama B) Niyama C) Dhyana
B) Niyama.
What does the term ‘Dharana’ literally translate to?
Dharana translates to concentration or focus.
Fill in the blank: The practice of ______ is essential for achieving deeper states of meditation.
Dhyana.
True or False: Samadhi is the final limb of Ashtanga Yoga.
True.
What role does Yama play in ethical behavior?
Yama provides guidelines for ethical behavior towards others and the environment.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of Pranayama? A) Ujjayi B) Kapalabhati C) Niyama
C) Niyama.
What is the focus of the limb Pratyahara?
The focus of Pratyahara is on turning the senses inward and detaching from external distractions.
Fill in the blank: Dhyana involves sustained ______ on a particular object or thought.
meditation.
True or False: The practice of Asana can be seen as preparation for meditation.
True.
What is the significance of the Niyama ‘Santosha’?
Santosha signifies contentment and acceptance of one’s current situation.
Which limb is described as the practice of self-study?
Svadhyaya, a part of Niyama.
True or False: Ashtanga Yoga emphasizes the importance of community and social ethics.
True.
What is the relationship between Dharana and Dhyana?
Dharana is the stage of concentration that leads into Dhyana, or meditation.
Fill in the blank: The ultimate purpose of Samadhi is to achieve ______.
enlightenment.
What does the limb of Yama prohibit?
Yama prohibits harmful behaviors such as violence, lying, and theft.
Multiple choice: Which limb is primarily about the ethical relationship with oneself? A) Yama B) Niyama C) Asana
B) Niyama.
What is the role of breath in Pranayama?
Breath acts as a bridge between the body and mind, enhancing awareness and control.
True or False: The limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are practiced in a specific sequence.
True.
What are the 5 Yamas?
Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha
What does the term ‘ahimsa’ mean?
Ahimsa means non-violence or non-harming in thought, word, and deed.
True or False: Ahimsa is primarily a concept in Hinduism.
False: Ahimsa is a key principle in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Fill in the blank: Ahimsa emphasizes the importance of __________ to all living beings.
compassion
Which famous leader is known for practicing ahimsa as a method of social and political change?
Mahatma Gandhi
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a principle of ahimsa? A) Non-violence B) Compassion C) Aggression D) Respect for life
C) Aggression
What is the definition of ‘Satya’ in Indian philosophy?
Satya refers to truthfulness or the concept of truth.
True or False: Satya is considered a moral virtue in Hinduism.
True
Fill in the blank: In the context of yoga, Satya is one of the _____ of yoga.
Yamas
Which of the following concepts is closely related to Satya? A) Ahimsa B) Karma C) Dharma
A) Ahimsa
Explain how Satya is viewed in the context of personal integrity.
Satya emphasizes the importance of being truthful and honest in one’s thoughts, words, and actions.
What is the definition of asteya?
Asteya is a Sanskrit term that means ‘non-stealing’ and refers to the principle of not taking what is not freely given.
True or False: Asteya only applies to physical possessions.
False. Asteya applies to not taking anything that is not yours, including time, ideas, and attention.
Fill in the blank: Asteya is one of the ________ in the Yamas of Yoga.
five principles
Which of the following is an example of asteya? A) Borrowing a book without asking, B) Sharing a meal with friends, C) Offering help to a neighbor.
C) Offering help to a neighbor.
How does practicing asteya contribute to personal growth?
Practicing asteya fosters trust, integrity, and respect in relationships, leading to personal and spiritual growth.
What is the primary definition of brahmacharya?
Brahmacharya is a concept in Hindu philosophy that refers to the practice of celibacy and self-restraint, particularly in relation to sexual activity, with the aim of spiritual growth.
True or False: Brahmacharya only pertains to sexual abstinence.
False. While it includes sexual abstinence, brahmacharya also encompasses self-control in thoughts, words, and actions.
Fill in the blank: Brahmacharya is often associated with the ______ stage of life in Hindu philosophy.
student
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of practicing brahmacharya? a) Increased focus b) Spiritual enlightenment c) Material wealth
c) Material wealth
What is one of the key goals of practicing brahmacharya?
One of the key goals is to conserve vital energy for spiritual practices and personal development.
What is the definition of aparigraha?
Aparigraha is a Sanskrit term meaning non-possessiveness or non-greed, emphasizing the importance of letting go of attachments.
True or False: Aparigraha is a principle that encourages hoarding material possessions.
False
Fill in the blank: Aparigraha is one of the five __________ in the ethical teachings of Yoga.
Yamas
Which philosophy primarily incorporates the concept of aparigraha?
Hinduism and Buddhism
Multiple Choice: What does practicing aparigraha help individuals achieve?
A sense of contentment and freedom from material attachment.
What is Aparigraha?
Noncovetousness. This principle invites accepting what we presently have and not striving in harmful, untruthful, or obsessive ways to get something more.
What are the 6 principles of yoga alignment?
Hands, feet, knees, shoulders, spine, core
what are the 5 Bandhas of yoga?
Hasta bandha (hand lock), Pada bandha (foot lock), mula bandha (root lock), jalandhara bandha (throat lock), uddiyana bandha (core lock)
