Ashtanga yoga - Definition

For the system of yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, see Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga (eight limbs of yoga, Raja Yoga) is the classical Indian system of philosophy and practice (composed by Patanjali perhaps ca. 200 BCE) consisting of these eight behavior precepts:

• Yama (see below)
• niyama - Commitments to practice, such as study and devotion
• asana - integration of mind and body through physical activity
• pranayama - integration of mind and body through breathing
• pratyahra - withdrawal of the senses of perception from their objects
• dharana - one-pointedness of mind
• dhyana - meditation (quiet activity that leads to samadhi)
• samadhi - the quiet state of blissful awareness

Practice of these precepts is said to result in a state in which one's behavior spontaneously follows the five ethical precepts (Yamas):

• Ahimsa - refraining from injury (non-life supporting action)
• satya - truthfulness
• asteya - freedom from stealing
• bramacharya - living within the Self (moderation; abstinence)
• aparigraha - freedom from attachment to possessions

See Also

• http://www.dharmayoga.org/onlinestudy/pantanjali.htm
• http://members.tripod.com/~kira_lis/yamas.html
• http://www.expressionsofspirit.com/yoga/eight-limbs.htm
• An exposition of the components of Yama and Niyama (http://www.atmajyoti.org/med_foundations_of_yoga.asp)