Yoga is a union of mind, body, and soul, and there are countless forms for how that takes shape.

I practice a flavor called ashtanga yoga. 

Ashta = 8, tanga = limbs

These are the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga:

1. Yamas - personal codes of conduct; ethics; integrity
    a. Ahimsa - non-violence
    b. Satya - non-lying, truth
    c. Asteya - non-stealing
    d. Brahmacharya - focus of life force energy, continence
    e. Aparigraha - non-hoarding

2. Niyamas - observances; personal practices
    a. Saucha - cleanliness
    b. Santosha - contentment
    c. Tapas - heat, passion
    d. Swadhyaya - self-study
    e. Ishvara pranidhana - surrender

3. Asanas - physical postures

4. Pranayama - breathing exercises; control of prana (also called ki, chi, or manna)

5. Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses

6. Dharana - concentration

7. Dhyana - meditation

8. Samadhi - enlightenment, ecstasy 

This is the framework for an encompassing ashtanga practice to optimize all layers of being. It is not a hierarchy; no limb is more important than another! You are welcome to take what you need, and leave the rest.

Westerners have a tendency to focus on asanas = yoga postures at the exclusion of all else. Although there are glorious benefits to maintaining a daily habit of movement, I want to expand the discussion and develop a richer practice for the health and wellbeing of ALL! I invite you to join me as I incorporate a fuller spectrum into my little bloggity blog here in the Steemitsphere.

Do you practice yoga?
How do you personalize your practice? 

💛 Sara!