|
| Ashtanga Yoga |
Ashtanga Yoga means to
purify the mind through eight (Asht) steps, which is
basically prescribed by all schools and branches of
yoga. Each step in Ashtanga Yoga has to be mastered
before mastering the next can be successfully attempted
:
- Yama (control) : nonviolence, truth, honesty,
sexual continence, forbearance, fortitude, kindness,
straightforwardness, moderation in diet, bodily purity.
- Niyama (rules of conduct) : 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.
- Asanas (postures) : as a motionless body
makes the mind quiet, 48 postures have been described
of which at the least one must be mastered if one
is to reach a deep state of meditation. See also asanas
in Hatha Yoga
- Pranayama (control of breath) : inhalation,
holding the breath, exhalation … through 3 kinds
of muscular control (bandhas).
- Pratyahara (withdrawal of sensory perceptions)
: consisting of breath suspension and holding the
mind, that step by step absorbs the senses in Kundalini
energy.
- Dharana (concentration) : by the aid of
mantras
in Ashtanga Yoga, deep concentration on the six
subtle centers of the chakras,
starting from the first and gradually approaching
the seventh.
- Dhyana (uninterrupted mediation) : in which
the ego, the mind
and the intellect dissolve in Kundalini
and Kundalini dissolves in the supreme consciousness.
- Samadhi (complete equilibrium) : the individual
consciousness becomes pure consciousness. After a
prolonged state of samadhi there is no need to practice
Ashtanga yoga any longer, because the conscious connection
with the divine is everlasting.
|
| Tantra Yoga |
Is also called Maha Yoga.
It is a combination of the four main practical traditions
: Mantra
Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Laya Yoga and Raja Yoga. More
information can be found on the Tantra
Yoga Page. |
|
|
The above overview on
Tantra and Ashtanga Yoga was extracted and synthesized from
various sources, among which the following are the most important
- the "Chakras"
book, which offers detailed information on all main yoga
techniques and on chakra meditation, which involves all
aspects of Ashtanga Yoga.
- The "Tools
for Tantra" book, which offers highly detailed
information on Mantra
and Yantra Yoga, a part of Dharana in Ashtanga Yoga.
- The "Breath,
Mind and Consciousness" book, which is the main
book on Swara Yoga - which
may be seen as part of the Pranayam in Ashtanga Yoga.
|
|
|
|
