The 8 Limbs of Yoga
The practice of Yoga is used all over the world and has its many benefits when it comes to a better body and mind, but it is also so much more than doing handstands, backbends and downward facing dog. Yoga goes far beyond the practice of asana or postures that we do on the mat in fact it is a way of being. The beauty of yoga is that the work is never fully done, in that once you’ve understood one experience, the next one is waiting. It’s important as practitioners of yoga, that we understand the roots of this sacred practice so we may honor it in addition to enjoying all of its wonderful benefits.
Let’s go back to around 400CE when the author, sage and philosopher Patanjali, created a collection of 196 Sanskrit sutras,The Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras is one of the most important texts in the Indian tradition and explains the theory behind yoga, making it the foundation of classical yoga. This brings us to the 8 limbs of yoga, as is outlined in the Yoga Sutras. The 8 limbs of yoga act as guidelines to help us live a meaningful life through moral, ethical conduct, and self-discipline. The word Sutra means ‘string’ or ‘thread’ and the 8 limbs are meant to be woven into our actions and thoughts so we may live a purposeful life.
The 8-limbs of yoga are as follows:
YAMA - Translates to the word “restraints” this is the first limb of yoga. Yama refers to disciplines and practices that involved how we interact with the world around us. There are 5 Yamas:
Ahimsa (nonviolence) - A guide to living together without causing harm to others or ourselves.
Satya (truthfulness) - Satya is married to Ahimsa. We learn to speak our truth without causing harm to to others.
Asteya (nonstealing) - When we are dissatisfied with ourselves and our lives, it leads us to steal from others. Asteya guides us away from our tendencies to look outward for satisfaction.
Brahmacharya (nonexcess) - Simply put, abstinence. When you can find awareness in all actions and attentiveness in each moment, it allows a state of holiness. Find freedom in being enough.
Aparigraha (nonpossessiveness) - A reminder that liberates us from greed. Learn the art of letting go and move towards a life of freedom.
2. NIYAMA - Translates to the word “inward” or “within” this is the second limb of yoga. Niyama refers to duties that can be directed towards ourselves, but also refers to our actions towards the world around us. There are five Niyamas:
1. Saucha (cleanliness) - Have purity in all you do: thoughts, speech and physical body. This is essential for good health and over all well-being.
2. Santosha (contentment) - Do your best and accept that as is without desire.
3. Tapas (discipline) - Develop a sense of self-discipline in order to get rid of impurities and strive for greatness
4. Svadhyaya (self-study) - The quest of knowing yourself. What drives and shapes us?
5. Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender) - Trust that life knows best. Receive each moment with an open heart and mind.
3. ASANA - Meaning “posture”. This is the physical part of yoga that most know today. These postures are meant to be practiced and perfected over time.
4. PRANAYAMA - Translates to “breath”. This is such an important part of yoga. Pranayama refers to the ability to consciously control the breath. This is key and a really powerful part of the practice.
5. PRATYAHARA - The bringing of your attention inward. Pratyahara empowers you to seek self-knowledge and find freedom within instead of looking to the external world.
6. DHARANA - This translates to concentration. Dharana is the ability to fix the mind on one point: object, a part of the body, mantra, an idea or the breath. It can be any one point that allows the mind to stay focused and not jump from one concept to another.
7. DHYANA - This literally means “reflection”. When reflecting on an idea/concept, Dhyana is contemplating with a stream of consciousness. Where Dharana is the state of your mind, Dhyana is the process of your mind.
8. SAMADHI - Meaning “union, joining together”. Samadhi refers to specifically, meditation. Samadhi is reached when there is no distinction between the self, the act of meditation, or the subject in which one meditates. This is enlightenment and is the ultimate goal of a yoga practice.
You now have a better understanding of yoga and the depth and beauty of this practice, but there is still work to be done! Allow yourself to dive deeper, explore the 8 limbs yourself and learn ways in which you can create a life of happiness and harmony. Think of it this way: just as you work hard on your physical asana practice, you also have to work hard to thread these 8 limbs into your daily life and walk a path towards Samadhi. Be gentle with yourself and move at your pace, and remember this is life work and requires discipline (tapas) and patience because after all, you’re working with years of ancient knowledge! As you continue to walk this path of self-study (Svadhyaya) remember that you have the tools to create a life free of suffering and pain by opening up to a life of awareness and consciousness.