Eightfold Path of Yoga v Styles of Yoga v Testimonials v Benefits of Yoga
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eightfold path of yoga |
 Yamas
(YAH-mahs) - Yoga Don'ts - Five
abstinences or forms of discipline that purify the body and mind. |
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Ahimsa (ah-HIM-sah) – Do No
Harm
- Non-violent
actions, Non-violent words, Non-violent thoughts and Non-violent self
talk. Satya
(SAHY-ya)
– Tell No Lies
- Truthfulness
is the result of our mind, speech and actions being unified and
harmonious. Asteya
(ah-STAY-yah) – No
Stealing
- If
it’s not yours, don’t take it. Brahmacharya
(BRAH-mah-CHAR-yah) – Chastity
or Non-Lust - Purity
of Love. Virtuous thoughts are thoughts filled with love and respect. Aparigraha
(ah-PAH-ree-GRAH-hah) – Don’t
Be Greedy and Materialistic -
Material Things: Live simply, possessing only what is necessary and
recognizing that possessions are merely tools to use in life. Language:
Stop talking too much, interrupting and dominating conversations –
Practice listening and being truly present in a conversation.
Thoughts: Eliminate envy and jealousy. Be truly happy for the good fortune
of others. |
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 Niyamas
(ni-YAH-mahs)
- Yoga Dos
- Five observances or person
disciplines
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Shauca
(SAH-tshah) – Be Pure
- Cleanliness and healthy food. Santosha
(san-TOH-shah) – Be
Content -
Find happiness with what you have and
who you are - in this moment. Contentment helps you see that you’re
exactly where you’re supposed to be right now. Re-evaluate obstacles as
opportunities. Limitations are learning experiences. Take full
responsibility for your life and the situations you’re in. Know that
every situation or challenge presented is a doorway to greater growth. Tapas
(TAH-pahs) – Be
Disciplined -
Self disciplined thoughts replace the negative with the positive,
resentment with forgiveness, violence with peace, and unhappiness with
joy. Discipline isn’t deprivation, it’s self care. Svadhyaya
(svahd-YAH-yah) – Be
Studious - Study
yourself through introspection. Pay attention to your physical self. Study
sacred texts to inspire and teach you. See which thoughts, actions, words
and experiences actually make you happy and which block your happiness.
Fill your life with clarity. Ishvara-Pranidhana
(ISH
var-ah PRAH-nee-DAH-nah) – Be Devoted
- Focus on the divine, how it is in
you, part of you and all around you. Relinquish ego and enter on your
highest ideal. |
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 Asanas
(AH-sah-nahs)
– Body Control
- Steadiness (Sthira) and the
ability to remain comfortable (Sukha). Never work to the point of
pain. |
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 Pranayama
(PRAY-NAH-YAH-mah)
– Breath Control - Maneuver and
direct prana for optimal physical and mental benefit. |
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 Pratyahara
(PRAH-tyah-HAH-rah) – Detachment
- Withdrawing the senses from
everything that stimulates them. |
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 Dharana
(dah-RAH-nah) – Concentration
- Teach the mind to focus on one thing instead of many. |
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 Dhyana (dee-YAH-nah) – Meditation
- Keen heightened awareness, not nothingness.
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 Samadhi (sah-MAH-dee)
– Pure Consciousness
- Complete and total merging with the object of your meditation and the
universe.
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