Around 3,000 years ago, yoga made its humble beginnings in India. It was interpreted in several sub-disciplines that represent its branches. The discipline of the ancient classical yoga has been modernized and gave rise to Raja Yoga or more popularly, the Ashtanga yoga poses.
Ashtanga means “eight-limbed” in Sanskrit and this means the eight spiritual principles which need to be observed to purifify the spirit. The four limbs are considered practices that need discipline. These are: Yama or morality, Asana or posture, Niyama or personal observance and Pranayama or the control of breathing. Yama are practices that help you understand how one would deal with other people through moral behavior. Yama are practices that train how one would deal with other people through moral behavior. Niyama relates towards the attitudes towards oneself. Asana refers to the Ashtanga yoga poses which invokes physical discipline, strengthening and flexibility. Its mastery aids in meditation that with Pranayama or breathing methods can lead to meditation. Asanas are practiced with two yoga principles known as Vinyasa and Tristhana. The second four limbs are related to spiritual practices. They are as follows: Pratyahara or the control of the senses, Dhyana or the divine meditation, Dharana or the concentration of inner awareness and Samadhi or the divine unity.
The following are three series of Ashtanga yoga poses:
1. Yoga Chikitsa or yoga therapy has more or less 75 poses. The series starts with salutations and proceeds to standing, seated, inversions, backbends and relaxation. The series of poses helps in the realignment of the spine, detoxification of the body, boosting of stamina, strengthening and improvement of flexibility of muscles.
2. Nadi Shodona means the decontamination of the nerves is the middle or second series. These are more complicated and are only incorporated if the primary series is strong. New variations in the poses are introduced but still following the same sequence as Toga Chikitsa. This second series can effectively strengthen the nerves as well as direct the flow of energy along the subtle enrgy channels referred to as nadis.
3. Sthira Bhaga literally means divine stability which constitute the advance series. This is further made up of four series that emphasize arm balances that can only be managed by very advance yogis.
The above-mentioned series of Ashtanga yoga poses can very well challenge even advance yogis. To improve discipline further, a yogi needs to practice with diligence.