Ashtanga Yoga

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 01:10:38 -0700

Ashtanga Yoga, which means “eight-limbed yoga”, aims to cleanse both mind and body. This can be done through the eight spiritual practices: yama or moral codes, niyama or self purification and study, asana or posture, pranayama or breath control, pratyahara or sense control, dharana or concentration, dhyana or meditation, and samadhi or contemplation.

The eight limbs of Raja Yoga

The eight "limbs" or steps prescribed in the second pada of the Yoga Sutras are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana,Dhyana and Samadhi.

Ashtanga yoga consists of the following levels:

Yama refers to the five abstentions

Ahimsa: abstention from violence
Satya: abstention from lying; truth
Asteya: abstention from theft, and by extension, non-covetousness
Brahmacharya: abstention from sexual intercourse; continence
Aparigraha: abstention from possessions, and by extension, abstaining from greed for possessions

Niyama refers to the five observances

Shaucha: purity
Santosha: contentment
Tapas: austerity
Svadhyaya: Self study; introspection
Ishvarapranidhana: surrender, or devotion, to God ('particularly' Ishvara)

Asana: Posture of the body, especially perfect posture for meditation.
Pranayama: Control of prana ('life force') or vital breath
Pratyahara: withdrawal of the mind, defined by Vyasa as "that by which the senses do not come into contact with their objects and, as it were, follow the nature of the mind."^{[citation needed]}
Dharana: Fixing the attention on a single object; concentration
Dhyana: Meditation
Samadhi:Oneness with Brahman or a super-conscious state

Diet

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:04:16 -0700

In the unmanifested universe, energy has three qualities, known as

1. Gunas, that exist together in equilibrium

2. Sattva (purity); Rajas (activity, passion, the process of change)

3. Tamas (darkness, inertia).

Once energy takes form, one quality of the three predominates. Thus on an apple tree, some fruits are ripe (sattvic), some are ripening (rajastic) and some are overripe (tamastic). But no matter what quality prevails, an element of each of the other two will always be present as well - parts of the apple will be in all the different stages. The Three Gunas encompass all existence, all actions.

Sattvic Food

the purest Diet

the most suitable one for any serious student of Yoga.

nourishes the body and maintains it in a peaceful state.

calms and purifies the mind, enabling it to function at its maximum potential.

leads to true health; a peaceful mind in control of a fit body, with a balanced flow of energy between them. Sattvic foods include:

cereals

wholemeal bread

fresh fruit and vegetables

pure fruit juices

milk

butter and cheese

legumes

nuts

seeds

sprouted seeds

honey and herb teas

Rajastic Food

very hot, bitter, sour, dry or salty food

destroys the mind-body equilibrium, feeding the body at the expense of the mind

too much Rajastic food will over-stimulate the body and excite the passions, making the mind restless and uncontrollable

eating in a hurry is also considered rajastic

Rajastic foods include:

hot substances, such as sharp spices or strong herbs

stimulants such as coffee and teas

fish

eggs

salt and chocolate

Tamastic Food

A Tamastic Diet benefits neither the mind nor the body.

Prana, or energy is withdrawn, powers of reasoning become clouded and a sense of inertia sets in.

The body's resistance to disease is destroyed and the mind filled with dark emotions, such as anger and greed.

Overeating is also considered tamastic.

Tamastic food includes:

meat

alchohol

tobacco

onions

garlic

fermented foods such as vinegar

stale overripe substances

Yoga | Asana Cycles | Devian Gilbert

Ashtanga Yoga

The eight limbs of Raja Yoga

Diet