Ashtanga denotes eight limbs. These limbs are actually principles of the yogic science that form the core of Ashtanga Yoga. These are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Although Ashtanga Yoga has been prevalent since the ancient time, it was popularized in the 20th century by Pattabhi Jois, an Indian yogi. He was of the opinion that the third limb, Asana, should be practiced and mastered before all other limbs. Over the years, Ashtanga Yoga’s substance as a wellness exercise has only increased substantially.
Here, we will discuss the benefits of Ashtanga Yoga while inspecting some interesting outlooks of the traditional Yoga form.
Complete strength of the body
If you are looking to strengthening the body parts, there is hardly any better natural practice than Yoga. Especially if you talk about Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga, these two are the representatives of Yoga’s vibrant picture. Many times, Ashtanga Yoga practice has proved to be more relevant than cardio workout programs. According to yogic philosophy, body weight is the best weight training machine that one can use for the upliftment of overall body fitness. When you attend Yoga courses in Nepal, India or Thailand, enormous importance is given to Ashtanga Yoga sequences. Poses such as Paschimottanasana, Supta Padangusthasana, Navasana, etc. have a tremendous ability to stretch the body parts. These practices improve the endurance power of the body, in addition to bettering the body immunity.
Spiritual prosperity
Since Ashtanga Yoga is one of the oldest and most ancient philosophies of Yoga, spirituality is inscribed in its root. Every Ashtangi is a true spiritualist. While one is on the mission of becoming a master of Ashtanga Yoga poses, he/she enters into the zone of soulful and spiritual awakening. Although there is no doubt that Ashtanga practice sponsors physical health boosting, the spiritual beauty that it carries with itself is astonishing. The exercises let you realize who you are and what your roles and responsibilities are. You identify your true self. The spiritual mirror throws back the reflection of your soul, the purest nature of your heart. Self-realization is what one attains with the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. A practitioner gets to know his/her faults, if any, so that he can give time on the correction of those issues and emerge as a better individual. All these are possible through the spiritual insight of the ancient Yoga form.
Breathing beauty of Ashtanga
Breathing is an integral part of the ancient science of Yoga, and not only of Ashtanga. The process of inhalation and exhalation plays an important part in the successful practice of Yoga asanas. Without enjoying breathing during Yoga poses, you cannot experience the bliss out of the ancient science. In Ashtanga Yoga, every action of the body is tuned with inhalation and exhalation. The core of Yoga breathing lies in the fact that the body’s health gets boosted in an awesome way. When one breathes constantly, with the regular friction between the blood and wind, the red liquid becomes warm. It is beneficial in purifying the blood to boost the fitness of the whole body. In addition, the circulation of blood is encouraged in a fine fashion. Also, breathing brings peace and calmness in the mind. There are a number of health aspects where Ashtanga Yoga plays a vital role.
Ashtanga Yoga’s benefits can be stretched out to emotional health as well as mental healing. It is about making coordination among the three human aspects - physical, mental, and emotional. This helps one hugely in becoming a calm and self-confidence person. You will overcome the pain and grief of past experience soon and a feeling of equilibrium arises in the brain with the practice of Ashtanga Yoga.