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Performing exercises under the guidance of self-styled yoga gurus does not constitute complete yoga. There is no doubt that these exercises, aimed at toning up the body, are indeed one of the eightfold stages of Ashtanga Yoga called 'asana' as enunciated by Sage Patanjali. However, that is only one of the seven stages in the order that Patanjali proposed. When performed in isolation, these are reduced to mere physical exercises. Again these asanas can improve your looks and your internal systems with a better figure and physical efficiency but it will be incorrect to think that performance of these asanas can turn you into a better human being.
The eight stages of ashtanga yoga are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratihara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. The five yamas are non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-covetousness. The five niyamas are cleanliness, contentment, austerity, self-study and surrender to God. Sage Patanjali expected seekers to embrace yama and niyama before coming to the third stage, asana. The eightfold path is to take the practitioner towards moral, physical and spiritual uplift. The ultimate aim of yoga is spiritual realisation or samadhi via mind and body.
