Yoga Aspects: 4 of them

Of the eight aspects of yoga listed by Patanjali, each stands as a value in its own right. Each has significance in relation to the other.

Yama and niyama, censored and approved behaviors, apply to the physical body at first. Later these apply to the subtle activities. And yet later they apply to the relationship between the coreSelf and its adjuncts. Most students get stuck with the behaviors as social taboos and norms. This is due to not moving to advanced stages.

Asana posture which is the third aspect of yoga commands the attention of many people at this time in history. This is perhaps because we are obsessed with physical appearance. The questions arise:

Is my body physically fit?

Is it slim?

Is it obese?

Is it tense?

Is it relaxed?

What is its longevity?

Is my blood circulation optimum?

Pranayama breath infusion which is the fourth aspect is difficult to achieve. For one thing there are a handful of proficient teachers for this skill of yoga. While most people who claim to teach yoga, show postures, few show breath infusion. Of the few only a rare person actually understands the processes of pranayama and where it fits in for higher meditation.

Like censored and approved behaviors, asana postures relate at first to the condition and tone of the material body. Eventually the student should tune to the subtle form and switch his or her interest from the physical system to the psychic layout of energies.

For pranayama, it is the subtle body with the physical system adopting benefits from the practice but never becoming the major focus. Those who do pranayama with the physical body as the primal focus, derive health benefits for the physical system and may not grasp what it does to the subtle body.

The subtle form is the preferred target. It is an energy body. It is a feelings system. It is energized by subtle air, raw energy which is inhaled into it and which enlivens, upgrades and dimensionally upshifts it.