Ashtanga yoga is a system of yoga recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta, an ancient manuscript “said to contain lists of many different groupings of asanas, as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras, and philosophy” (Jois 2002 xv). The text of the Yoga Korunta “was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900′s by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927″ (“Ashtanga Yoga”). Since 1948, Pattabhi Jois has been teaching Ashtanga yoga from his yoga shala, the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (Jois 2002 xvi), according to the sacred tradition of Guru Parampara [disciplic succession] (Jois 2003 12).
Ashtanga yoga literally means “eight-limbed yoga,” as outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. According to Patanjali, the path of internal purification for revealing the Universal Self consists of the following eight spiritual practices:
Is Ashtanga for You? 
Ashtanga yoga is extremely popular. It is a vigorous, athletic style of practice. It appeals to those who like a sense of order and who like to do things independently.
Following is an overview of the 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga, described as practices :
Yama (control) : a series of don’ts in contact with the world outside, so that your relationships as well as your energy remain harmonious, providing the peaceful background needed for deep meditation. The disciplines in Yama typically include nonviolence, truth, honesty, sexual continence, forbearance, fortitude, kindness, straightforwardness, moderation in diet & bodily purity.
Niyama (rules of conduct) : a series of do’s that helping in detaching from the world and the ego, so that it becomes easier to let go of the doer in deep meditation. Activities in Niyama typically consist of austerity, contentment, belief in God, charity, worship of God, study of teachings and scriptures, modesty, having a discerning mind, repetition of prayers (japa), observance of vows and performing sacrifices.
Asana (posture) : as a motionless body makes the mind quiet, and as an unstable body cannot remain motionless in deep meditation (when the I am the body idea is lost), many postures have been described of which at the least one sitting posture must be mastered in order to reach a deep state of meditation. See also asanas in Hatha Yoga
Pranayama (control of breath) : control of breath brings mind under control, while the main aim is to store the energy that will be needed when in deep meditation breathing has stopped.
Pratyahara (withdrawal of sensory perceptions) : removing the attention from sensory input, so that it ceases to disturb meditation. This may be preceded by some focus on purifying sensory input, such as in rituals, use of meditative sounds, etc… Ultimately prana is withdrawn from the nadis that transport sensory input.
Dharana (concentration) : the focus of mind on any single object, for example a mantra, or deep concentration on the six subtle centers of the chakras, starting from the first and gradually approaching the seventh, etc…
Dhyana (uninterrupted meditation) : in which the concentration is uninterrupted, without a single disturbing thought, though this concentration still requires some effort.
Samadhi (effortless meditation, absorption, equilibrium) : concentration is maintained, but it requires no effort. The doer has disappeared from consciousness. This stage allows for a rather long purification process through which the individual consciousness is finally dissolved in pure cosmic consciousness. After a prolonged practice of samadhi there is no need to practice any longer, because the conscious connection to the divine is everlasting, which is called natural samadhi (sahaj). Ultimately it leads to enlightenment.
Alton Sanders, Owner and Founder at Spiritual Fitness & Bodywork Center.
