“Yoga is not an ancient myth buried in oblivion. It is the most valuable inheritance of the present. It is the essential need of today and the culture of tomorrow”.
– Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Yoga is not just a mere workout rather it is a science which works on all aspects of the person; physical, vital, mental, emotional, psychic and spiritual. The word yoga means ‘unity’ or ‘oneness’ and is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means ‘to join’. A precious gift given to us by our Indian Rishis, it is a great tool to establish yourself as a conscious being on this planet. Yoga has been accepted as a therapeutic science all over the world. Learning Yoga is the best gift for your soul, give it a treat now!
An Important system of Yoga known as Ashtang Yoga recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi, in the Yoga Korunta, an ancient manuscript “said to contain lists of many different groupings of asanas, as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras, and philosophy”. Ashtanga yoga literally means “eight-limbed yoga,” as outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. According to Patanjali, the path of internal purification for revealing the Universal Self consists of the following eight spiritual practices:
| Basis of Difference | Beginners Group | Intermediate Group | Advance Group |
| Level | Easy | Reasonably Difficult | Extremely difficult |
| Who can do | Should be performed by those who have never practiced Yogasanas before | Should be performed by those who can perform Beginners level without any discomfort | Intended for ones who have mastered intermediate group |
| Technique | Elementary techniques designed to prepare body and mind for major and meditation asanas | Requires greater degree of steadiness, concentration and coordination with breath | Extensive control over muscle and nervous system |
| Example | Standing Asana, Suryanamaskar, Chandranamaskar | Padmasana, Backward forward bending, spinal twisting, inverted and balancing asana | Peacock Pose, Scorpion Pose and many other inverted pose |
Important aspects while performing Ashtang yoga
1. Posture 2. Breathing 3. Bandhas 4. Drishti
