| While many consider Yoga to be a form a | | | | endeavors. Tapa, the third element, suggests that |
| physical exercise, it is also known to be an | | | | certain pleasures must be given up in order to |
| exercise in spiritual development. Most would | | | | attain one's goals. |
| agree that the true goal of Yoga is to provide the | | | | Asana is the third of the eight fold path, and it is |
| individual with the means to achieve inner peace | | | | concerned with physical training and building |
| and balance. To achieve these lofty goals, | | | | stamina. Asana is made up of 84 yoga poses, |
| students are encouraged to become familiar | | | | which are focused on developing strength, |
| Yoga's eight fold path. The eight fold path consists | | | | increasing health, and preparing for meditation. |
| of eight disciplines; Yama, Niyama, Asana, | | | | This stage is as much about physical conditioning, |
| Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and | | | | as it is mental or psychological discipline. |
| Samhadi. | | | | Pranayama, the fourth fold, concerns controlled |
| The first fold, Yama, advises students to engage | | | | breathing. Proper breathing is important for |
| with the world from a moral standpoint, and is | | | | mastering true relaxation and self discipline. The |
| actually broken down into five distinct elements. | | | | proper way to breathe while practicing yoga is to |
| The first element, Ahimsa, teaches the student to | | | | breathe in, and breathe out while pausing in |
| respect the world around him. The second, Satya, | | | | between. |
| teaches that one should be honest with | | | | Pratyahara is the fifth of the eight folds, and is |
| themselves and with others. The third, Asteya, | | | | concerned with the individual's control of sensory |
| teaches not to steal from another. The fourth, | | | | stimulation. The intent is to induce a sense of |
| Bramacharya, advises against overindulgence of | | | | inner peace and quiet, by tuning out external |
| any form. The fifth, Aparigraha, teaches the | | | | stimulation. Dharana is the sixth fold, and it is |
| student to live a simple life that is not distracted | | | | primarily concerned with focusing one's |
| by material things. | | | | concentration on meditation. When a meditative |
| Niyama, or the second fold, is considered the path | | | | state has been attained the student is then on to |
| of self restraint and consists of three distinct | | | | the seventh step, Dhyana. The final step, |
| elements. Shaugh, the first element, teaches | | | | Samhadi, is attained when all previous steps have |
| students to keep the body and mind clean and | | | | been completed and the individual experiences a |
| pure. Santosh, the second element, teaches the | | | | true oneness with all things. The student is, as of |
| student to be happy and contented with the task | | | | this point, in tune with the universal flow. Namaste! |
| at hand and to give an honest effort in all | | | | |