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Raja Yoga in Sanskrit is one of the four major yogic paths of Hinduism. It involves the use of psychophysical meditational techniques, which help attain experiences of the truth and finally achieve liberation. Raja yoga is also known as Ashtanga Yoga. According to this form of yoga, the waves of the mind can be controlled by practice and non-attachment.
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Raja Yoga is defined to be containing eight distinctive levels and practices. That is why, it is known as Ashtanga Yoga. In Sanskrit, Ashta means eight and Anga means limbs. Literally translated it means the eight-limbed path. The asanas, Pranayama or the dharana, the yam and niyam are based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Ashtanga Yoga is said to have its origin in the ancient text of Yoga Korunta by Vamana Rishi.
Raja Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga is different from of the other styles with its focus on Vinyasa. The term literally stands for the intelligent putting together of things but taken in this style of asana practice as a variant of Suryanamaskara practiced between asana. The yogi moves in and out of each asana in a well-defined set of movements, called Suryanamaskara or Sun-Salutation, which are combined with specific breathing exercise patterns (Ujjayi breathing). The purpose of Vinyasa is to create heat in the body. It leads to purification of the body through increased circulation and sweating. It also improves flexibility, which allows the student to practice advanced asanas without any risk of injury.
The eight limbs of Raja Yoga are as follows: 1) Yama contains principles or moral code of how we deal with the outer world that includes Ahimsa- a principle of non-violence, Satya- a principle of Truthfulness, Asteya- a principle of non stealing, Brahmacharya- Continence/ celibacy, Aparigah- a principle of non-hoarding or non-possessiveness.
2) Niyama are personal disciplines i. e. how we deal with our personal world that includes, Shoucha- Purity, Santosh- Contentment, Tapa- Endurance, Swadhyaya- Self study and Eshwar Pranidhan- Dedication.
3) Asanas are yoga postures or positions. It is a stable and comfortable posture, which helps attain mental equilibrium.
4) Pranayama relates to yoga breathing exercises, which are extension and control of breath.
5) Pratyahara is withdrawal of senses. It is a mental preparation to increase the power of mind. 6) Dharana is the concentration of mind on one object and its field.
7) Dhyana is meditation that draws mind away from all external objects, focuses it on one point, and meditates on it.
8) Samadhi is Salvation, denotes a state of super bliss, joy and merging individual consciousness in to universal consciousness. It is the union between Jivatman and Paramatman.
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