Limbs of Yoga

Yama, the first limb, consists of five parts: ahimsa, satya, asteya, bramacharya, and aparigraha

Ahimsa

Ahimsa means not causing injury to anyone, including animals, in any form, at any time, or for any reason, in word ,thought or deed. If an injury has Vedic sanction, it does not constitute ahimsa. Two animals hostile to each other will forget their hostility in the vicinity of those who practice absolute ahimsa.

Ahimsa pratishthayam tat sannidhou vairatyagah (Upon being established in non-hurtfulness, there is a relinquishing of hostility in the presence of that (ahimsa) - Patanjali yoga sutras ii : 35

Satya

What is satya? Satya is truthfulness. One should always tell the truth in though, word, and deed. The truth must be plesant to others, an unplesant truth should not be uttered. If one follows the truth in this manner, all one´s word will become true and all one´s desires will be fulfilled.

Satya pratishthayam kriya phala shrayatvam (Upon being established in truth, there is surety in the result of actions). Patanjali Yoga Sutras ii : 36


Asteya

Asteya means not stealing the porperty or possessions of others. Being envious of or begrudging, cheating someone with sweet words; gaining selfish ends under the guise of truthfulness: are all to be abandoned. Heaps of gems fall before the yogi who practice asteya, and he become the abode of all gems.


Asteya pratishthayam sarvaratna upasthanam. ( Upon being established in non stealing, there occurs the attainment of all posperity.) - Patanjali Yoga Sutras ii : 37

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Yoga Asanas

1) Padahastasana  - pada = foot,  hasta = hand

Padahastasana as three vinyasas. The 2nd vinyasa is the state of Asana.

Method

To begin stand with the legs as much as half a foot apart, as in Padangushtasana, and doing puraka and then rechaka, place the palms under the feet and, doing puraka, lift the head up and stay in position; this is the 1st vinyasa. Then doing rechaka, place the head in the region between the knees, keeping the knees straight, and hold position, doing rechaka and puraka fully as much as possible; this the 2nd vinyasa. Then, taking the breath in, lift only the head; this is the 3rd vinyasa. Then Samasthiti, as in the earlier asana. In the state of this asana, the lower abdomen should be drawn tightly, and rechaka and puraka done as much as possible.

Benefits

Padahastana purifies the anal canal, kidneys, and lower abdomen.

YOGA MALA - Sri K. Patthabi Jois 

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Yoga Asanas

The Asanas follow the Surya Namaskara

1) Padangushtasana  - pada = foot, angushtha = finger foot

Padangushtasana as three vinyasas, of which the second is the state of Asana

Method

  First, stand up straight, inhaling throught the nostril deeply, jump the legs apart as much as half a foot, slowly let the breath out, reach down and take hold of the big toes, lift the head and ches up completely without bending the knees, and stay in position while inhaling; this is the way the 1st vinyasa. Then letting the breath out, take in the lower abdomen, place the head in the region between the two knees, straighten the knees, and stay in the position, doing puraka and rechaka as much as possible; this is the 2nd Vinyasa. Next, inhaling the big toes; this is the 3rd Vinyasa. Then exhale and return to Samashiti. While in the state of this Asana the lower abdomen should be drawn in and held tightly, and rechaka and puraka should be done slowly and as much as possible. This is the way to Padangushtasana.

Benefits

Padangushtasana dissolves the fat of the lower abdomen, and purifies both the kanda, or egg shaped nerve plexus in the anal region, and the rectum.

YOGA MALA - Sri K. Patthabi Jois

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