Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga, also known as Raja Yoga, is the
scientific method of enlightenment propounded by the ancient
sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. It is the Yoga
that Baba Hari Dass has practiced since childhood. Since his
arrival from India in 1971, Baba Hari Dass has been active
in training students and teachers of Yoga in the United States
and Canada. Through his compassionate example, young and old
alike are learning the gentle art of peace.*
Because there has been much confusion over the
past few years regarding the term Ashtanga, we wish to be clear
that we do not teach a contemporary method of asana that has
come to be known as “Power Yoga” or “Ashtanga”.
Though asana (seat, or posture) is but one limb of Ashtanga
Yoga and Hatha Yoga, it is often identified as Yoga.
We present the classical Ashtanga Yoga set forth
more than 2,000 years ago by Patanjai in the Yoga Sutras.
Ashtanga means Eight Limbed (ashta meaning eight, and anga
meaning limb).
The eight limbs* are:
| Restraints (Yama): |
| |
Nonviolence (Ahimsa) |
| |
Truthfulness (Satya) |
| |
Non-stealing (Asteya) |
| |
Continence (Bramacharya) |
| |
Non-possessiveness (Aparigraha) |
| Observances (Niyama): |
| |
Purity (Shaucha) |
| |
Contentment (Santosha) |
| |
Austerity (Tapas) |
| |
Scriptural Study (Svadhyaya) |
| |
Surrender to God (Ishvarapranidhana) |
| Posture, Seat (Asana) |
| Breath Control (Pranayama) |
| Withdrawing the Mind from Sense Perception
(Pratyahara) |
| Concentration (Dharana) |
| Meditation (Dhyana) |
| Higher Consciousness (Samadhi) |
* Ashtanga Yoga Primer © 1981, Sri
Rama Publishing, Santa Cruz, CA
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