Page 6 - Lesson 8.xps

MODULE-2 Spiritual Aspects
Dimension of Physical
Education and Yog We can see that health or Swasthya is a very subtle thing; to maintain a healthy
state of being we need to perform some techniques which can influence these
subtle bodies. In ancient Indian teaching it is ones moral duty to maintain
Swasthya. Yoga provides us opportunity to influence all five bodies and to be
aware about it. We should know about holistic health and motivate people to
adopt yogic technique in their life style.

8.4.2 Eight Steps of Ashtang Yog & Spiritual Nourishment
Note
Patanjali yog provides us a wide range of techniques that slowly harmonised the
mind and develop more subtle awareness. However, the main path of Patanjali
is combined within eight fundamental stages. The first four stages are the
Bahiranga (external) practice of yoga and the last four stages are Antarang
(internal) practices of yoga. This scripture is also called Yoga Darshan – a method
of attaining higher perception; it means ‘to see the invisible things’ or ‘to see
with spiritual insight’.

Let us briefly discuss each steps of Patanjali Yoga:

1. Yama (social code)

2. Niyama (personal code)
3. Asana (posture)

4. Pranayama (control of prana)

5. Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)

6. Dharna (concentration)

7. Dhyana (meditation)

8. Samadhi (super consciousness)

Yama- The first aspect of Ashtang Yoga is known as Yama. Social code means
yogic self-control. The five yamas are – Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya, Aparigraha and
Brahmcharya. These are described as follow:
Satya (truthfulness): It refers to awareness of what is correct, right and
true, as it is manifesting from within, and the ability to express it. In higher
level it is complete control over speech.

Ahinsa (non-violence): It is not an external act of eliminating violence
from our action but elimination of violence from our attitude.

Asteya (non-stealing): It means that one must not steal, nor have the intent
to steal another’s property through action, speech and thoughts.

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