Nancy Sutton's 

 House of YOGA

                                             “Poise, Strength, Endurance... Yoga.”

1325 Tehama Street             

Redding, CA 96001    (530) 246-7256 

                                

FYI:  Holidays we observe by closing our studio are:  New Year's Day, Memorial Day Weekend, 4th & 5th of July , Labor Day Weekend, Evening classes on Oct 31st, Thanksgiving weekend, and two-weeks at Christmas . Summer Schedule began on June 1st!  ...Fall classes begin Sept 1st!

What is Raja Yoga? (The true definition of Ashtanga yoga)

Raja yoga- The Highest form of yoga

Raja means "royal," and the meditation route to Self-Realization is considered to be just this. It is direct and affords the opportunity of experience in different levels of awareness, beginning from where we start to where we are able to conclude after our meditation practice. Raja Yoga starts with the mind; its goal is a complete stilling of the mind, so that the light of the indwelling spirit may shine out. It makes use of asana and pranayama, and some consider it merely another name for Ashtanga Yoga (see below).

Raja Yoga meditation is the process whereby the practitioner concentrates upon one point in order to integrate discontinuous, diffused attention, thus holding attention steady. All distractions are thus effectively closed out, and meditation proceeds. Daydreaming, floating with thoughts or allowing impulses to dominate is obviously not concentration, and, without concentration, meditation is impossible to experience

Meaning "8 limbs", referring to the eight limbs of Raja Yoga: Ashtanga Yoga...

  1. Yama- The "don'ts of living... 5 Moral Restraints: Ahimsa-Non Violence, Satyam-Truthfulness, Bramacharya-Moderation of all things, (control of senses), Asteya-Non stealing, Aparigraha-Noncovetousness
  2. Niyama- The "do's" of living... 5 Ethical precepts:  Saucha-Purity, Santosha-Contentment, Tapas-Austerity, Swadhyaya-Study of the sacred texts, Ishwara Pranidhana-Surrender to God's will.
  3. Asana- The physical postures (poses) of yoga
  4. Pranayama- Regulation & control of the breath (Asanas and Pranayama form a subdivision of Raja Yoga Called Hatha Yoga.)
  5. Pratyahara- Withdrawal of the senses in order to still the mind.
  6. Dharana- Concentration.  The last three steps constitute the internal practice of Raja Yoga.  When Dharana is achieved, it then leads to the next step...
  7. Dhyana- Meditation... is that state of pure thought and absorption in the object of meditation.  there is still duality in Dhyana.  When mastered Dhyana leads to the last step...
  8. Samadhi- The super consciousness state.  In Samadhi non-duality or oneness is experienced.  This is the deepest and highest state of consciousness where body and mind have been transcended and the Yogi is one with the self or God.

Commonly you will also hear this word (Ashtanga) in association with a style of Hatha yoga practice that emphasizes strength and intense stretching. An athletic yoga style, popularly known as Power Yoga or Flow Yoga.

For more information about RAJA YOGA  please follow the link www.sivanandadlshq.org/teachings/rajayoga.htm

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Last modified: 08/16/08