Pantanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga
Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga, also known as the Eight Fold Path. The Eight Limbs are a series of steps or disciplines which purify the mind and body, leading yogis to enlightenment.
Limb One
THE YAMAS (Things to Restrict) The following five restrictions are meant to clear away negative thoughts and actions to make way for pure and clean living.
- Ahimsa-Do no harm. Practice non-violence or non-injury to oneself and others through your actions, words, and thoughts. Negative self talk or being competitive with yourself or others in your practice would be the antithesis of Ahimsa.
- Satya- Truthfulness. Do not lie to yourself or others. Your thoughts, speech, and actions are congruent with each other.
- Asteya- Do not steal. Do not to take something that does not belong to them. Aside from tangible items, it is possible to steal intangible things as well, such as another person's confidence, pride or attention.
- Brahmacharya- Be virtuous. Fill your actions and thoughts with love and respect rather than selfishness and lust. Does not mean that one should lead a life of abstinence, encourages purity in relation to love and sexual behaviors.
- Aparigraha- Do not be greedy. A reminder not to accumulate unnecessary things. Excessive possessions add clutter to life and bring clutter to the mind and spirit as well. This yama encourages simplification and letting go of materialistic desires and envy. Again, purity of thought and action are emphasized.
Limb Two
THE NIYAMAS (Things to Observe) These five observations, or suggestions to help one grow on their yogic path.
- Shauca-Be pure. Keep our bodies, clothes, and surroundings clean and pure. Eating fresh, healthy and natural foods in an important component.
- Santosha- Be content. We are exactly who and where we should be at this moment. It does not mean that we cannot improve ourselves and learn new things; it means that those improvements and skills cannot in themselves bring happiness. The practice of contentment helps us take responsibility for our current situation and see challenges as opportunities for growth. Laugh, enjoy the moment, and focus on the positive.
- Tapas-Be disciplined. Discipline comes in many forms and in many parts of everyday life. This includes disciplined speech (thinking before speaking, then speaking without harshness), disciplined habits (personal hygiene, healthy food choices, exercise, even when it is tempting to skip it) and disciplined thinking (no negative self-talk, thinking happy thoughts for someone else's good fortune instead of jealousy). Be consistent and practice integrity (follow through and do the things you say you will do). View and practice discipline as self-care and not deprivation.
- Svadhyaya-Be studious. Turn inward and study oneself. By examining behaviors, thoughts, actions and past experiences, we can determine which ones fulfill us and make us happy and learn to avoid those things that do not. Monitor our words to see if they match our actions (practice what we preach). Also, the study of one's physical self, such as posture, alignment, body language and feelings of wellness and illness.
- Ishvara-Pranidhana-Be devoted. Yoga recognizes and honors all religions and harmony between religions. This niyama encourages us to focus on the higher power of your choice. Relinquish the ego and the idea of surrendering control.
Limb Three
ASANAS (Body Control) Asana (physical postures) is the most familiar limb of yoga in the West and practiced as Hatha yoga. The translation of asana is posture and its root as, means stay.
Limb Four
PRANAYAMA (Breath Control) Prana means a life force or energy that is infinitely everywhere; ayama means to reach or extend. In order to achieve optimal physical and mental health, one directs the flow of prana throughout the body.
Limb Five
PRATYAHARA (Detachment) Withdrawal of the senses in order to still the mind. Detachment in the yogic sense means separating the senses and the brain. We can become detached when we are practicing yoga postures, when we meditate, or when we concentrate singularly on something.
Limb Six
DHARANA (Concentration) This is related to Pratyahara because Dharana is required for Pratyahara to be achieved. Dharana is an ancient reminder not to multi-task. This message reminds us to focus on the task at hand (or one thing at a time) and gently push aside invading thoughts competing for our attention.
Limb Seven
DHYANA (Meditation) The state of meditation is a state of oneness with the object of meditation. In this state, nothing else exists, yet the mind is present and alert. Dhyana is achieved as a result of disciplined practice of Pratyahara and Dharana, among others.
Limb Eight
SAMADHI (Pure consciousness) The deepest and highest state of consciousness where the mind and body have been transcended and oneness (non-duality) with the Self or God (all that is) is experienced. Samadhi is achieved by dedicated practice of all of the other limbs. Like meditation, it is a state of mind, but as opposed to becoming one with the object of meditation, we become one with the universe. This complete surrender to bliss and unity with the universe is a freeing experience and leads to great understanding and peace.