In Sanskrit, the word Astanga means “8 limbs” or “8 legged” (Yeah, that’s why the Octopus!) Vinyasa means “to link,” here specifically is the linkage of postures through the breath.Besides the physical routines and exercises of breathing and meditation, Ashtanga is also a tradition and a spiritual path that is fully described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as a series ofprogressive steps toward the purification of the body and the mind. There are 8 of these steps or lessons on connecting with our higher Self and they’re called limbs. Each one of these limbs is also branched with more information and guidance on the path of Yoga and attainment of enlightenment.
At AstaYoga we only teach 2 of the limbs described in the Ashtanga system- Asana and Pranayama. Those literally translate into ”physical postures” and “breathing exercises,” the most commonly known aspects of Yoga and what is taught in Yoga centers from the most classical, respected and traditional to the more modern, liberal and even franchised concepts of these times. Asana and Pranayama are the most elemental and basic of the limbs in this system and the first two aspects that we get to know and experience in a Yoga class as both are physical exercises and therefore the “easiest” to practice or teach. These are just enough to ignite the flame of life and the curiosity to keep searching for more knowledge and expertise. Through constant practice and self- examination, they have almost instant results in the body and they’re a considerably fast way to experience the first sparks of a higher consciousness and understanding of ourselves and our part in the world. Once a certain degree of concentration and interest arises, it starts getting philosophical. That’s when it’s time for each student to look for more information and keep exploring. Yama and Niyama are the next two limbs that usually surface and grab the attention of the practitioner as they have a lot to do with self-observation as well as moral observations when interacting with others, like the practice of non-violence, self-less care for others, generosity, compassion, honesty and Peace.
The other 4 limbs and their lessons can only be experienced as they deal with observation of the mind and the eventual control over it. The texts of Patanjali give us some tips on how to practice more advanced Yoga and even what we can expect from these techniques, but we can only understand it by individual experience. It is an unfolding path of evolution of us becoming closer to our best and most efficient expression of the divine. I’ve taken some time to briefly break down the “eight-fold” path to come to the conclusion that Ashtanga is not only a series of postures in a specific order. There is no author for it and no one is really teaching Ashtanga per se these days. It’s being taught itself… It is a social and spiritual movement that has taken hundreds of years to come to thispoint of popularity in history. It’s a tradition that keeps evolving and growing as more and more people diversify their practice and their teachings with their understanding of it.
