Literal meaning of ashtanga yoga is eight-limbed yoga. It is also based on the Patanjali'sPhilosophy. It follows the eight spiritual practices for internal and external purification. These practices are- Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. From these, first four practices are considered for external purification. Ashtanga yoga helps in the process of generating internal heat and purifying sweat. It is effective in keeping the body and mind healthy.
Eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are-
Yama- Principles or moral code:
The discipline of Yoga comprises of non-violence, truth, understanding, patience, compassion. It has five yoga sutras (Asteya, satya, ahimsa, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya) and its guiding principle helps a person to deal with the outer world. These moral codes guide a person in maintaining good relationship with people. A person learns to have calmness in speech and action. This yoga practice motivates a person towards non-violence, patience, love and truth. It detached a person from affection of worldly object.
Niyama- Self-Purification and Study:
It is the second element of ashtanga yoga. In Yama, a person learns to interact with outer world whereas in Niyama he would learn to deal with internal world i.e. himself. Patanjali includes five constituents of Niyama - Shaucha (Purity), Santosha (Satisfaction), Tapa (Non-indulgence), Swadhyaya (Self-education) and Ishwar-Pranidhan (Meditation). Practice of Niyama leads a person towards purity of mind, body and speech where he is encouraged to be on the path of truth and pureness. It also encouraged him to have control over desires and be satisfied. Third part of the niyama involves the quality of self-denial from the worldly pleasure.
Swadhyaya involves the spiritual study. A person has to chant Gayatri Mantra and read Vedas, religious text etc. In the last part of Niyama, a person learns about divine meditation.
Asana- Posture
Then comes asana where you would learn the different postures. It would be beneficial for the body physically and mentally and also helps in energizing one's body. You would learn to perform some good sitting asanas. You can learn postures like- Standing Asanas, Forward Bending Asanas, Supine Asanas, Inverted Asanas, and Balancing Asanas etc.
Pranayam - Breath Control It is based on breath control principle. It helps in maintaining inner peace. If you learn and follow the correct way of practicing pranayama, it would help in releasing tension and stabilize the nervous system. This breathing practice increases the flow the oxygen in the brain and hence revitalize human mind by giving inner peace.
Pratyahara - Sense Control: It involves the practice of meditation and visualization where a person learns to control the senses.
Dharana - Intention:
It helps in developing concentration and motivates one to focus on particular point. People can also practice to cure their head injuries.
Dhyana - Meditation:
The word itself mentions that it is a practice where a person concentrates to get relive from tensions and develop mental awareness.
Samadhi - Salvation
It is practiced where a person distracts himself from external world and relaxes his mind.
Hence, you can practice ashtanga yoga for curing your health problems by meditation, breathing exercise and postures.