Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga

[Guest guest]

Someone recently asked the difference between

Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga - I don’t think the

question has been adequately answered. Forgive me if I

missed something - I don’t find the time to read every

single message.<br><br>In the first place, many people

think that Ashtanga Yoga is just a system of

postures.<br>To the extent to which this is true, there is no

difference at all between Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga

Yoga.<br><br>Ashtanga Yoga means "Eight-limb Yoga", that is, it has

eight aspects:<br><br>Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama,

Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi<br><br>The first four

are very difficult - the other four are easy once the

first four are mastered.<br><br>Even though the system

lists Yama and Niyama first, these are actually much

more difficult than Asana - that’s why Asana is really

the first step.<br><br>The primary and intermediate

series of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri Krishnamacharya

and Sri K Pattabhi Jois, give the body and mind

health and strength. That is, the body becomes disease

free, the mind becomes clear and calm.<br><br>Asana is

the first step, but integrated into the way we

practice asana are programmed all the other aspects of

Ashtanga Yoga. - breath control, internalization of

consciousness, concentration, meditation and bliss.(Pranayama,

Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi)<br> <br>In order for

these achievements to become more subtle and potent,

self control has to also be employed (Yama and

Niyama).<br><br>Pattabhi Jois’ goal is to teach Samadhi - happiness,

bliss, ecstasy. When you practice yoga (asana) you

release old patterns, open up parts of your body and mind

either long blocked or previously never opened. - We

have all experienced the bliss when this happens -

that’s how we get addicted to Ashtanga.<br><br>By

integrating Ujjia pranayama into asana practice and by the

use of vinyasa (movement-breathing system) and

drishti (gazing point) - Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga becomes a

moving meditation where the one still point of reference

is the unchanging true self. <br><br>It does not

matter whether you regard the practice as a spiritual

practice or a psycho-somatic technique - it works to clear

away the crap and reveal your own true nature.

[Guest guest]

well said

[Guest guest]

Hi Guy,<br>Thanks for this posting - concise and

clear explanation. Would you not also add that what

distinguishes Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is that it is "as taught by

SKP Jois?" Since Hatha means sun - moon and Hatha

Yoga means, literally, 'yoking sun and moon' Hatha

doesn't even really refer specifically to any one kind of

asana (posture) practice, of which there are many and

each seems to be defined by the guru from whom the

practice is shared. Comparing 'hatha yoga' and Ashtanga

Yoga is like comparing a week to a month. Many people

ask me this question and it is difficult to explain

without spreading more confusion.

[Guest guest]

"concise and clear explanation"--as concise and clear as Madam Blavatsky and

Alice Bailey's works, perhaps?

[Guest guest]

I was referring to godfreydev--sorry.