8 LIMBS OF YOGA
The ‘Yoga Sutra’ is the primary text of the science of classical yoga, written by the great Indian philosopher and spiritual leader Patanjali, between 400 and 200 B.C. In it Patanjali describes the eightfold path of yoga – ashtanga. Ashtanga literally means "eight limbs" (ashta=eight, anga=limb). These eight steps cover all the aspects of a person's life and act as guidelines on how to live a lifestyle of meaning and purpose. They are concerned with the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of an individual as well as his environment and relationship with others. A disciplined and consistent practice of these eight principles leads to deeper self-knowledge, love and respect towards other people and creatures, cleaner environment, healthy diet, and union with the Divine.
Yama
The first limb, yama, deals with your attitude towards others and the world around you, one's ethical standards and sense of integrity. Yama relates best to what we know as the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The five yamas are:
- Ahimsa: non-violence
- Satya: truthfulness
- Asteya: non-stealing
- Brahmacharya: non-lust
- Aparigraha: non-possessiveness
Niyama
Niyama, the second limb, has to do with how you treat yourself or your attitude towards yourself. It is concerned with self-discipline and spiritual observances. The five Niyamas are;
- Saucha: cleanliness
- Samtosa: contentment
- Tapas: austerities
- Svadhyaya: study of the sacred text and of one's self
- Isvara pranidhana: living with an awareness of the Divine
Asana
In the yogic view, the body is a temple of spirit, the care of which is an important stage of our spiritual growth. The Asanas are designed to free our mind and body from tension and stress and help us to develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate. Asanas should be done with comfort, ease, awareness and steadiness, achieving a balance between ease and effort, helping to relax, rejuvenate, and energise the body and bring the body and the mind into a harmonious union.
Pranayama
Pranayama is the control of breath. This fourth stage consists of regulated and controlled techniques designed to gain mastery over the respiratory process, while developing awareness of the connection between the breath, the mind and the emotions. The literal translation of pranayama is, "life force extension," and yogis believe that it not only rejuvenates the body but actually extends life itself.
The first four of Patanjali's eight limb stages focus on our personalities, gaining mastery over our body, and developing an energetic awareness of ourselves. The next four deal with the senses, the mind, and attaining a higher state of consciousness.
Pratyahara
The fifth limb, Pratyahara, means withdrawal or sensory transcendence. We make a conscious effort to draw our awareness away from the external world and outside stimuli. Keenly aware of, yet cultivating a detachment from our senses, we focus inward and are no longer distracted by outside events. The practice of pratyahara allows us to step back and become self observant. This detached withdrawal allows us to objectively observe our cravings, habits and behaviors that are perhaps detrimental to our health and our inner growth.
Dharana (concentration)
The practice of pratyahara creates the setting for dharana, or concentration. Having relieved ourselves of outside distractions in Pratyahara, we can now deal with the distractions of the mind itself. We learn how to slow down the thinking process by concentrating on a single mental object: a specific energetic centre in the body, a mental image, the silent repetition of a sound. Extended periods of concentration naturally lead to meditation.
Dhyana (meditation)
In Dhyana, or meditation, we practice constant observation of the mind. We focus the mind on a single point, stilling the mind in order to perceive the Self. It is an uninterrupted flow of concentration aimed to heighten one's awareness and oneness with the universe.
Samadhi (enlightenment)
This is the ultimate goal of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. It is a state of peace and completion, awareness and compassion with detachment. It is a state of ecstasy and the feeling that you and the universe are one.