r/ashtanga
What are your best practices of non-asana limbs?
This is Ashtanga Yoga Tech Support. Real questions from the yoga community, answered.
The Question
Let's talk about and share best practices of Yama, Niyama, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. If you have any particular practices that help you work on these do drop below? I have been wondering if Intermittent Fasting qualifies as Yama or is it Pratyahara? Reducing screen time and social media? What are other ways one can withdraw the senses (which seems the toughest one). Thank you!
— via r/ashtanga
Our Response
[0:30]
Okay. Stop trying to file everything into categories.
That's not practice. That's homework.
[0:40]
Intermittent fasting isn't a limb. It's just… not eating for a while. You want to do it? Do it. But don't mistake a diet trend for spiritual practice.
[0:50]
Pratyahara isn't about withdrawing from stuff. It's what happens when you stop chasing stuff. Big difference.
[0:58]
You don't need "best practices." You need a practice. Daily. Same time. Same spot.
Asana. Pranayama if you've been taught. Sit after if you can.
[1:10]
The limbs aren't a checklist. They show up when the conditions are right. You create the conditions by showing up.
[1:20]
If you want the map, there's a study guide on the eight limbs at ashtanga.tech. But read it after you practice. Not instead of.
[1:30]
[END]
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