Yoga midterm

Definition of yoga

Yoga means to connect, unite or “yoke”. The connection were trying to make is with our ‘true self” also known has the ‘divine essence’, ‘ultimate soul’ or atman - also seen as the soul. It also means separation or disentanglement from what stops us from being free.

through the embodiment of the 8-limbed path that yoga is achieved

Pantanjali

commonly known as the father of yoga. The Yoga Sutras are ascribed to Pantanjali but virtually nothing is known about him, at least not with any historical certainty

Yoga Sutras

explain:

• nature of the mind

• why we suffer

• how yoga leads to freedom - ashtanga

Sutras are important foundation of contemporary yoga, described in four chapters called Samadhi-pada, sadhana-pada, Vibhuti-pada and Kaivalya-pada. Sutras are a collection of 196 compact observations on the nature of consciousness and liberation.

* There are 8 fold path leading to liberation, known as the ‘Ashtanga Yoga System’ or “Eight limbs of Yoga’ . (ashta means eight anga means limb)

8 limbs of yoga

1. Yama

2. Niyama

3. Asana

4. Pranayama

5. Pratyahara

6. Dharana

7. Dhyana

8. Samadhi

Yama

The first limb - refers to vows, disciplines or practices primarily concerned with the world around us, and our interaction with it.

1. shimsa (no-violence)

2. Satya (truthfulness)

3. asteya (non-stealing)

4. Brahmacharya (right use of energy)

5. Aparigraha (non-greed or non-hoarding)

Niyama

positive duties or observances - duties directed towards ourselves but can also consider our actions towards the outside world

Asana

postures - to seat, seated position of meditation. Physical aspect of yoga - our physical body home of our spirit. Pantanjali instruction “sthira sukham asanam” the posture should be steady and comfotable

Pranayama

breathing technique

prana refers to energy or life source also describes the breath and by working with the way we breathe we affect the mind. Pranayama ca be understood as either breath - control or freedom of breath. Controlling breathing process allows us to bring life force for physical and mental benefit

Pratyahara 

withdrawal of the senses - practice of turning attention inward by quieting the influence of external sensory input. You chose where to put your attention rather than letting sights, sounds, and distractions pull you around. * teaches us to pause before reacting 

Dharana

focused concentration- to focus on something, the sense must withdraw so that all attention is put on that point of concentration, in order to draw our senses in, we must focus and concentrate intently* dharana is about choosing a single point of focus and holding the mind steady there.

Dhyana

meditative absorption: staying focused
when the concentration becomes continuous and effortless. The mind can flow steadily toward the object of meditation without interruption.

Samadhi

Bliss or enlightenment. Final step of the journey when we re-organized our relationships with outside world and our inner world, we come to a final state of bliss. The idea isn’t “floating away” but about realizing the life that lies in front of us.

Sutra 1.2

“Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind”

Avidya

yoga philosophy that the root cause of our suffering comes from forgetfulness and disconnection with our true self. Avidya is this yoga philosophy that the root cause of our suffering comes from forgetfulness and ignorance - traced back to the minds creation of separateness as an individual identity apart from the rest of existence

Mala

selfishness, thinking in a way which only looks for the benefit of oneself

Vikshepa

distraction - the tendency of the mind to be focused outward

Avavana

the forgetfulness or not knowing our true self in the form of layers - appear to separate us from All Life