Eight Limbs of Yoga

When you think of yoga, what do you think of? Another gym class? A series of moves to make you flexible (or for which you have to be flexible to take part? Perhaps some sort of hippie spirituality – I’ve been refused the use of a room is a church hall before now as the perception there was a contradiction of faith.

The word ‘Yoga’ is related to the English word ‘yoke’ – to join or connect. A connection of mind, body and soul is typically the inference here. But what does that mean is reality? How does that relate to real life?

Patanjali and the eight limbs of yoga

Though dates are not precise, about 2000 years ago the Yoga-Sutras were written by a sage in India named Patanjali. The Sutras are best known for their reference to the eight Limbs of Yoga – and this can be a useful way of looking at how yoga can benefit us. These eight limbs serve as entry points to the inner self and can be regarded as the cornerstones of yoga.

The eight limbs of yoga are

Yama

Niyama

Asana

Pranayama

Pratyahara

Dharana

Dhyana

Samahi

The eight limbs of yoga explained

To expand a little on each of these eight limbs of yoga and their relevance in the modern world –

Yama is most commonly translated as guidelines for social behaviour – and covers the essentials of non-violence, peace, honesty and generosity. Attributes we would associate with a kind and peaceful soul.

Niyama is typically associated with the rules of personal behaviour – integrity, discipline, surrender to the divine. The result of a natural and pure life.

Yama and Niyama represent the inner dialogue of a yogi, perhaps as a milestone of spiritual progress and a peaceful sense of self.

Asana means ‘seat’ or ‘position’. When people come to yoga they typically think of this branch – the postures people enter to achieve flexibility and tone. Yoga postures offer many benefits to the body and mind – and the balance, flexibility and strength achieved physically are transferred to the mental of course.

Pranayama is the life force – the essential energy which animates the inert into the living. When we practice pranayama, we invite this life force to permeate the self at all levels.

Pratyahara is about withdrawing the senses from the outside to the inner self. Realising that all we sense is out inner interpretation of external experiences we can conclude that the world of experience lies within us. Pay attention to the sensory inputs you encounter – choose sounds, sights and smells that inspire you.

Dharana is about mastery of attention and intention. The conscious creation of what materialises in our life. Wellbeing, success, healing, love – all can materialise when we focus here.

Dhyana focuses on the idea that we are the witness to our experiences. Here we learn to be centred in the now with the realisation that the only constant is life as change.

Samadhi is deep inner focus – a settles, pure awareness which transcends space and time – a taste, if you will, of the realm of eternity and infinity. That place we seek though the practice of meditation and through which we seek true union with spirit.

This is a basic outline of Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga, demonstrating, I hope, that there are many entry points and areas to explore in the world of yoga.