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Ashtanga Yoga: A Powerful Practice for Mind and Body

Updated: Apr 11

Swami Rama, a renowned yogi and spiritual teacher, offered a unique perspective on Ashtanga Yoga, emphasizing its deep spiritual and meditative aspects. Unlike the modern Ashtanga Yoga system popularized by Pattabhi Jois, Swami Rama’s approach to Ashtanga Yoga was rooted in the traditional teachings of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.


Swami Rama’s Approach to Ashtanga Yoga:

Swami Rama viewed Ashtanga Yoga as a systematic path to self-mastery, leading to the highest state of spiritual enlightenment (Samadhi). He believed that the practice of Ashtanga Yoga should go beyond physical postures (Asana) and focus on mental discipline, breath control and meditation.


Swami Rama often emphasized that Ashtanga Yoga is a path of self-transformation. Each limb of Ashtanga Yoga is designed to help practitioners move from outer distractions to inner stillness.


The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga According to Swami Rama:

1.

Yama (Moral Disciplines): The foundation of Ashtanga Yoga, teaching ethical living and self-restraint.

2.

Niyama (Self-Discipline): The second step in Ashtanga Yoga, focusing on inner purification.

3.

Asana (Physical Postures): Swami Rama did not focus heavily on physical yoga poses. Instead, he believed Asana should be used to prepare the body for long periods of meditation.

4.

Pranayama (Breath Control): A vital aspect of Ashtanga Yoga, as breath and mind are deeply connected. Swami Rama taught that breath control leads to mind control and through proper Pranayama, one can experience deep inner stillness.

5.

Dharana (Concentration): Swami Rama emphasized one-pointed focus in Ashtanga Yoga, suggesting that practitioners concentrate on a mantra, breath, or a spiritual symbol.

6.

Dharana (Concentration): Swami Rama emphasized one-pointed focus in Ashtanga Yoga, suggesting that practitioners concentrate on a mantra, breath, or a spiritual symbol.

7.

Dhyana (Meditation): The heart of Ashtanga Yoga. Swami Rama believed meditation was the most powerful tool for self-realization. He taught techniques like Yoga Nidra, mantra meditation and witnessing the mind.

8.

Samadhi (Spiritual Absorption): The ultimate goal of Ashtanga Yoga, where the individual consciousness merges with the universal consciousness. Swami Rama often spoke about superconscious states, where the mind becomes completely still and one experiences pure bliss and unity with the divine.






Swami Rama’s Teachings on Ashtanga Yoga:

Swami Rama’s approach to Ashtanga Yoga was different from modern interpretations that focus mainly on physical postures. His teachings emphasized:

  • Mind over Body: Ashtanga Yoga is not just about flexibility and strength; it is about self-mastery.

  • Breath Control: Pranayama is the key to calming the mind and accessing deeper states of consciousness.

  • Meditation as the Core of Yoga: The ultimate goal of Ashtanga Yoga is to experience inner stillness and self-realization.

  • Self-Discipline and Ethics: Practicing Yama and Niyama is essential for progress in Ashtanga Yoga.



How to Practice Ashtanga Yoga According to Swami Rama:

If you want to follow Swami Rama’s approach to Ashtanga Yoga, focus on:

  • Practicing meditation daily: Start with breath awareness and slowly deepen your practice.

  • Using breath to control the mind: Try Pranayama techniques like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing).

  • Focusing inward: Avoid distractions and develop inner stillness through concentration and meditation.

  • Going beyond the physical: Understand that Ashtanga Yoga is not just about postures but about spiritual awakening.


Conclusion:

Swami Rama’s teachings on Ashtanga Yoga provide a deep and holistic approach to yoga and meditation. He emphasized that true yoga is about controlling the mind, regulating breath and reaching higher consciousness. If you follow his path, Ashtanga Yoga becomes a transformational journey, leading to inner peace, wisdom and self-realization.


By practicing Ashtanga Yoga in the way Swami Rama taught, you can move beyond the physical and truly experience the divine consciousness within you.



Begin Your Ashtanga Yoga Journey At The Confluence Today!

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