Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras provides the classical and most influential description of Yoga.
The practice of yoga in most ashrams is based on Yoga Sutra and its teachings. The Yoga is related to the individual spirits (Purusha) and the Nature (Prakriti).
Yoga Sutras presents the goal of yoga as 'the cessation of mental fluctuations' (chittavrtti nirodha), an achievement which gives rise to the possibility of stable meditation and thus deeper states of absorption (dhyana or samadhi). This requires considerable restraint (yama) and self-discipline (niyama ).
Patanjali's yoga is sometimes called Raja Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga (Eight-Limbed Yoga). Patanjali gave an eight-fold (Eight-Limbed) system of spiritual yogic practice for achieving the divine goal.
It comprises:
- Yam - Controls,
- Niyam - Rules and regulations,
- Asan - Bodily Postures,
- Pranaayam - Breath Control Exercises,
- Pratyahaar - Sense control,
- Dharana - Concentration,
- Dhyaana - Meditation,
- Samadhi - Mergence
Yoga Index:
What is Yoga
Patanjali's eight "limbs" of yoga practice
About Yama
About Niyama
About Asana
About Pranayama
Pratyahara
Samadhi
The Seven basic chakras
Yogini & Yogi
How Yoga helps to improve health
Where can practice Yoga
Padmasana
Important Asanas
Sukhasana
Vajtasana
Halasana
Merudandasana
Bhujangasana
Matsyasana
Mayurasana
Shalabhasana
Sarvangasana
Uttanasana
Shavasana
Surya Namaskara
Pranamasana (Prayer Pose)
Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose)
Padahastasana (Hand to Foot Pose)
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian Pose)
Parvatasana (Mountain Pose)
Ashtanga Namaskara (Salute With Eight Limbs Pose)
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Parvatasana (Mountain Pose)
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian Pose)
Padahastasana (Hand to Foot Pose)
Hasta Uttanasana (Raised Arms Pose)
Pranamasana (Prayer Pose)
Tips for yoga
Yoga for Sex
Yoga for Weight control
Yoga and Beauty
Yoga for Personal Values
Yoga in The West
Mantra Yoga
Tantra Yoga
