It is defined in our ancient scriptures that Yoga is the union of body, mind and soul. But do you think in today’s world this is how yoga is defined? In today’s world Yoga is often considered synonymous as the Asana or Postures practice. But that is just the one aspect or limb of yoga.
The aim of Yoga is the union between Body, Mind and Soul and that union can be achieved in many ways in which asanas are just one part. Like in Ashtanga Yoga by Sage Patanjali, he has described that Yoga has eight limbs. In Hatha Yoga, it is said that practice of asanas is important to balance the body so that we can sit properly for Pranayama. Therefore, Asanas is just the one limb of Yoga and the end point is the destination that is the Spiritual enlightenment of the individual consciousness to connect with the supreme consciousness.
To learn how you can deepen your spiritual practice, first you need to understand what are the different ways to achieve the union in ancient scriptures and what is the right and how you should practice. This in-depth knowledge you can get with 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh at Gurukul Yogashala where you will have the opportunity to learn the authentic and traditional teachings of Yoga according to the ancient scriptures – Vedas. Let us see what is the right way to deepen your practice according to the Sage Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga:
Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga for the Spiritual Practice:
Sage Patanjali has described eight limbs as the “Path To Enlightenment”. When you walk on this path you will find your spiritual practices are deepening more than before. Everything that Sage Patanjali has described is to attain that union and to become one with the supreme consciousness. At Gurukul Yogashala’s 200 Hour Yoga TTC in Rishikesh, you will learn all about this and much more in great detail. Let’s learn the basic meaning of Eight Limbs in brief here:
- Yamas: Yamas are the practices that we should do in our day-to-day life for a peaceful world all around us. These are the practices that tell us to be non-violent, to be truthful, not to steal, not to be greedy and to use our energy in the right way. Yamas helps us to live in a society that will be peaceful and stress-free.
- Niyamas: Niyamas are the practices that we do to lead a better life from within. These practices are we should live with cleanliness, with content with what we have, with discipline, should always try to look within to find different ways to improve ourselves rather than looking at the mistakes of others, and we should surrender to the supreme consciousness. Niyamas helps us to lead a life in a peaceful manner with in us.
- Asana or Posture: Asanas according to Sage Patanjali is that posture which is comfortable and steady. Sthira Sukham Asanam – the basic meaning is to be in any posture in which you can stay long without any disturbance created in mind and body.
- Pranayama: Although, it is considered that act of breathing in a regulated manner is Pranayama but Pranayama is much more than that. Pranayama is the practice that liberates us from our internal bondages and balancing the nadis or energy channels in our bodies.
- Pratyahara: When we are in our conscious state of mind we are always in the external world with our five senses always outward. Pratyahara is the first step in which we make a way to going inwards. The basic meaning is the withdrawal of the senses. This is the first step for the towards the path of spiritual growth. Until unless we can go inwards, we will b=not be able to connect with our inner-self. And without this connection there will never be a union between individual consciousness and supreme consciousness.
- Dharna: Although the loose meaning of Dharna is concentration but Dharna is much more than that. Dharna means confinement of mind to one point, one object or place which can be broken from time to time but with right practice you will find there is an increase in your focus and concentration.
- Dhayana: Dhayana is loosely known as Meditation. Although it is said that when our focus becomes continuous and have no interruptions of mind or body that is no interruptions from the internal and external factors then automatically, we reach the state of Dhayana. In dharana there is still presence of individual consciousness.
- Samadhi: Samadhi is the state that everyone desires. It is written in the ancient e-texts that person becomes unaware of his presence in the state of samadhi.
As we have seen, there is a great deal of practices you can learn during 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh at Gurukul Yogashala which will help you in deepening your spiritual journey through learning different practices of Pratyahara and Dharana under the expert guidance of experienced teachers here.
We have to understand that the ultimate goal of Yoga is the union of body, mind and soul. There are different paths to achieve this goal and Ashtanga Yoga is one of them. To learn more traditional path for spiritual enlightenment you need to learn from the Traditional School in Rishikesh that is Gurukul Yogashala’s 200 Hour Yoga TTC in Rishikesh. The best way to learn and deepen your spiritual practice is to find roots of Yoga which are in our ancient scriptures – Vedas on which Gurukul Yogashala’s curriculum for 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh is based.
The Yoga is so much more than the asana practice and its high time we understand its roots to walk on the path of spiritual enlightenment. And in understanding the traditional and authentic teachings of Yoga according to the ancient scriptures, Gurukul Yogashala is the best partner for your Spiritual Journey.