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The word Ashtanga means eight limbs. Patanjali in the yoga sutras, within the Raja Yoga, has expounded the theory of the eight limbs of 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. This school of yoga seeks to embody the traditional eight limbs of yoga (referred to as Ashtanga or Raja Yoga) as expounded by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. Ashtanga Yoga is said to have its origin in the ancient text Yoga Korunta by Vamana Rishi.
Ashtanga is different from the other styles of yoga as it has its focus on Vinyasa, literally the intelligent putting together of things but taken in this style of asana practice as a variant of Suryanamaskara practiced between asanas. The yogi moves in and out of each asana in a well-defined set of movements, called Suryanamaskara or salutation to the sun, which are combined with specific breathing exercise patterns (Ujjayi breathing). The purpose of Vinyasa is to create heat in the body, which leads to purification of the body through increased circulation and sweating. It also improves flexibility, which allows the student to practice advanced asanas without risk of injury.
Yoga can be traced back to 5000 years BC as described in Vedic Philosophy and tantras. Patanjali, great sage composed the Ashtanga Yoga path into a darshan (philosophy) in his Book Patanjali Yoga Sutra.
The eight limbs of Ashtanga 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 or 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. These exercises are based on extension and control of breath.
5) Pratyahara is the 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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