Ashtangayoga

Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning union; however, like many Sanskrit words, it means far more than our simple translation. Yoga refers to the ultimate goal of life, man’s highest most worthy dream; union with God. This union is more than an intellectual understanding; it is the actual achievement of being one with God; the universal, almighty, cosmic consciousness of love. Yoga is a union of our very selves as love with the source of love, with the one who never stops loving God… our true Self! Yoga believes in the essential unity of everything in existence and non-existence. It is this universality that leads us to accept all of creation as our divine teachers – parents, children, brothers, sisters, and friends, until ultimately we accept all as our “Self”. The path of universal consciousness as Self consciousness is the aim of Yoga Sadhana and is facilitated through centuries old traditional Yoga teachings, practices, and techniques, that foster energy, consciousness, love, compassion, stewardship, devotion, nurturance, and acceptance towards our bodies, minds, emotions, families, communities, environments, nations, and planets.

Classical Ashtanga Yoga refers to the eight limbed (ashta = eight, anga = limb) Raja Yoga path of Sage Patanjali and should not be confused with the modern “Power Yoga” of Pattabhi Jois. The practices and techniques facilitated by the Atmalaya Ashram and its Acharya, Yogacharya Gowrishankarananda espouses “Gitananda Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga”. This “Rishi Yoga” which is the classical Ashtanga Yoga that the ancient Rishis embraced as a way of life, has been most recently handed down to us through the 7000 year old Classical Yoga teachings of the Bengali Tantric lineage of Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri of the Brighu Rishi and Agasthya Rishi Paramparai’s one of only a few unbroken lineages still in existence.

In India, Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj has been widely honored as the father of modern Yoga Science, with over 135 centers in over 30 countries around the world; yet this Classical form of Yoga is virtually unknown in North America. While many Yoga students today practice a specific type of Yoga, i.e., Hatha, Kundalini, Jnana, Kriya, etc, Rishi Yoga espouses many practices specific to the predisposition of the student. Traditionally, Yoga was taught as a complete way of life, incorporating all aspects of Yoga, with many of its practices into student’s lives at appropriate times. By slowly integrating the Yogic practices of Seva, Asanas, Kriyas, Prakriyas, Pranayamas, Yamas and Niyamas, Mudras, Mantra, Japa – Ajapa, and Dharana and Dhyana (Meditation), we revitalize, maximize, and balance our own energy. This system of Yoga integrates the inner and outer practices of Yoga to balance the inner and outer aspects of our lives.

Through Yoga we use the body to transcend the body, we use the senses to transcend the senses, and we use the mind to transcend the mind, intellect, and emotions. Sincere students of Yoga should utilize and practice a combination of many techniques to dissolve their blocks to advancement, and move them forward on the evolutionary path. Yoga is a state of being and a path to attaining that state. It is one of the oldest, most practical, and most complete systems of exercise in the world. While Yoga is a system of exercise, it is also a complete systematic path to attaining Self mastery and cosmic consciousness. The focus of this system of yoga is to evolve consciously and gain mastery over our lives. As living examples of Dharma (Right-use-ness), the ancient Rishis espoused Yogic living, which is a lifestyle in harmony with nature and at-one-ment with the universe. By maintaining a consistent Sadhana (disciplined spiritual practice) we can maximize our energy, eliminate our “DISEASES” and live happy, healthy and holy lives, for that truly is our birthright!