eight digits; Yama ,Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
These eight steps are a person's life journey with Yoga.
In Astanga Yoga, each step must be well understood and followed so that one can reach the goal of attaining freedom.
1-YAMA - Purification of Negativities
It is divided into 5 in itself:
- Ahimsa - Nonviolence:
It means not hurting physically, mentally and emotionally, showing compassion, being non-violent. We must be nonviolent not only towards other people or animals, but also towards ourselves. Forcing our body outside of our own limits in yoga postures, malnutrition, even the emergence of negative and violent words from our mouths is violence. - Satya - Integrity:
It is to act, speak and think according to the truth in all our actions. Likewise, we must be honest with ourselves. Honesty gives respect and dignity, and also gives clarity of mind to see higher truths.
- Asteya - Not stealing:
It is not taking something that is not given to us. Apart from stealing things, this includes speaking, expressing opinions and stealing without the permission of others.
- Brahmacharya - Control of Desires:
It is the acquisition of knowledge, high energy and vigor by controlling our physical desires. With the control of each desire, we become healthier and wiser. Balance is very important in yoga. Withdrawing our energies from desires and saving is very helpful in maintaining balance.
- Aparigraha - Not hoarding:
Letting go of things we don't need is letting go. We should not be dependent on things or people, we should be able to let go when necessary and no longer needed. This also applies to our thoughts.
