Yoga has always been touted as the daily practice for physical and mental well-being. Everyone under the sun knows about the incredible benefits of yoga on one’s mind and body, but did you ever know about the eight elements of yoga? What are they? How do they transform our lives for the better? To know all the relevant answers to these questions, read this blog, and thank us later!
Yamas/ Yama
Yama is one of the eight elements in the Indian sage Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras treatise, which means ‘restraint’. It comprises the principles that should be followed by a yogi to live a life of strong values and rightful conduct. It consists of certain restraints that prevent a person from indulging in violence, attachments, stealing, dishonesty, immoral conducts, and other worldly activities. According to the best private yoga instructors working at Bedivine, genuine yogis abstain from doing certain things that obstruct the path of enlightenment.
Niyama
Niyama is all about right living by keeping these principles in mind, such as hygienic habits (purity), sound sleep, self-study, satisfaction, self-discipline, strong determination, faith, and will power. Incorporating these basics will have a great impact on the yogi’s body and mind which will further lead to an overall change in lifestyle.
Asana
In the practice of yoga, there are several types of asanas, which means body postures or positions that consist of standing, bending, balancing, twisting, reclining, and sitting. Asana is one of those elements of yoga that should be performed under the professional guidance of the best private yoga instructors. These postures will not only make your body flexible and improve the functioning of the body parts but also help you reduce extra weight and keep you calm.
Pranayam
It comprises the breathing exercises that enhance the functioning of internal organs and other body parts. It prepares one to be in the rhythm of the universe by aligning one’s body and mind. This element in the yoga practice helps you control your breathing process by doing inhalation, retaining, and exhalation of breath. There are umpteen benefits of doing pranayama every day as it regulates metabolic activities, improves the functioning of lungs, heart, kidneys, and gives a boost to your life force and vitality. Nadi shuddhi pranayama or anuloma viloma, ujjayi, surya bhedan, and tribandh are some of the famous pranayama that must be performed every day to bring in more awareness of oneself.
Pratyahara
It refers to the ‘withdrawal of the senses’. Human mind wanders and distracts easily, but this element of yoga helps us practice self-control. It conveys that humans have the power to control the distracted mind and senses in order to promote great concentration without any hindrances. You will be able to experience a deep, meditative state where you are unperturbed by external objects. To practice it correctly, you must approach certified and best private yoga instructors.
Dharana
Our mind has a tendency to stroll, but it can be brought back to a focal point by improving concentration. Dharana is all about achieving the concentration of mind by focusing on one point without allowing the mind to drift even for a moment. Learning this mental fixation is not as easy as falling off the log as it takes years of diligent practice of yoga. Once you develop such kind of concentration, any external force cannot interrupt you and break the single pointed concentration.
Dhyana
This is considered as the seventh element of the yogic practice which is referred to as the complete concentration of mind without being carried away by distractions. It is chiefly concerned with the meditative state of mind which is free from anger, delusions, negative thoughts and emotions. It is a state of pure concentration where a yogi reaches the highest state of mind and life condition.
Samadhi
It is the last and eighth element of yoga that is explained by sage Patanjali as a mental state where an individual’s consciousness unites with the universe itself. This state is not engulfed by anger, ego, and worldly desires. In Samadhi, a yogi experiences absolute happiness, calmness, and real joy of life.
It’s time to embark on the divine journey of yoga with the help of best private yoga instructors available to assist you at Bidvine. Get in touch with us today and set yourself on the path of self-discovery and spiritual awareness.