The Yoga rules

By Joseph Van Moorleghem

Ashtanga Yoga is one of many branches of yoga and was developed by Master Vamana Rishi who described his method in a hand written work named Korune Yoga. The modern branch of Ashtanga Yoga was founded by Master K. Pattabhi Jois who received his initiation from Sri Krishnamacharia and is usually categorised under Hatha Yoga, which has evolved from the original Sutras of Patanjali. Ashtanga Yoga is also known as Eight Limb Yoga. It postulates that the path of purification is made up of eight limbs of spiritual practice.

The first four limbs that Ashtanga Yoga proposes to master are - yama (do, attached to a moral code), niyama (don't do, attached to purifying the body and study), Asana (Mastering Postures) and Pranayama (control of breath). These are considered cleansing practices which are externally correctable. The other set of limbs, - pratyahara (dissolution), dhyana (concentration), dharana (meditation) and samadhi (unity) are the internal practices.

All eight limbs can only be mastered simultaneously by the proper application of the Ashtanga Yoga method. This type of yoga method is viewed sometimes as quite dangerous to the mind. Considering that the goal of Yoga is to look beyond the veil created by the ego (to attain samahdi), which in turn is a creation of the mind, this seems only to comply with logic.

But ego was also created as a safeguard, and the mind was created by nature, which by analogy could be substituted by the word "God". As it is safe to suppose that God is perfect, so it would be safe to suppose that the creation of God, the mind, is also perfect. Again, by analogy, in order to get past the mind and bypass the ego it created, the candidate will have to be exceptionally well prepared if with his consciousness he is to look beyond the veil.

As opposed to intellectually inclined persons who would be able to attain samahdi (illumination) by the study and understanding of Patanjali's Sutras, so is Ashtanga Yoga more suited to physically rooted individuals, who will make use of the extreme discipline one is required to impose on the body to attain the same state.

Master K. Pattabhi Jois said that practicing these Eight Limbs and also its sub-limbs of external practices, which include yama and niyama, is not impossible. But in doing so, the body should be strong, so that it can perform the practices well enough. If the body is weak, and the sense organs are not functioning well, practicing will never allow for the ultimate goal (samahdi) to be reached.

However, practising this branch of Hatha Yoga (from witch also Power Yoga was derived) will always bring improved health and a stronger more vibrant body.

Joe is webmaster for mahasaya.com and yogi4u.com where he pursues his passion for spiritual work, self-growth and self-realization. He is happy to make available his experience and 30 years of intense personal research, meditations and in-depth questioning around the three subjects mentioned here above and strives to create a network of like minded adepts. You can post on his two sites, either http://mahasaya.com or the blog at http://www.yogi4u.com and he looks forward to your contributions.