The 8 Limbs of Yoga

Putanjali’s yoga sutras are as far as we know the first written record of yoga.  The sutras were written in Sanskrit the language of the ancient Vedic civilisation in approximately 3000BC. 

The Sanskrit word sutra translates to mean thread, on its own this does not reveal too much but when all the threads are together each one supports the next and creates a firm structure.  Another way to describe sutra is to imagine a blanket.  A blanket has been created by many threads being woven together.

Within Putanjali’s Yoga Sutras are the eight limbs of Yoga.  It is these eight limbs of yoga that provide an explanation as to why yoga was first practiced, they also help us to understand the depth and power that yoga holds.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga Are…

Yamas (Restraints)

There are five separate restraints.  These reflect how you behave towards others and are as follows:-

Ahimsa – not be violent or to cause injury to others.

Satya – to be truthful, not telling lies.

Brachmacharya – not to waste sexual energy, celibacy would be practiced by many, when this is not possible one should behave honourably with their intended partner.

Asteya - not to steal, to not be jealous and to behave honourably when working towards goals and aspirations.

Aparigraha – to be honourable and not except gifts or bribes.

Niyama (Observances)

There are five personal observances and are reflected as part of your level of self respect.  They are as follows:-

Saucha – purity both internal and external, personal hygiene and pure thoughts.

Santosha – contentment.  To be content with yourself and the position you currently hold.

Tapas – austerity.

Swadhyaya – the study of religious scripture.

Ishwara-pranidhana – to surrender the ego and worship the lord, or to surrender to your higher self.

The yamas (restraints) and niyamas (observances) form a moral code of conduct and help clear the mind and conscious for undisturbed asana, pranayama and deep meditation.

Asanas (Steady Pose)

Regular asana practice promotes a healthy mind and body. 

Pranayama (Control of Vital Energy)

Regular pranayama practice helps clear the mind.  Learning to control the breath enables one to cope with many situations, develop patience, handle pain, relieve anxiety and prevent the mind from wandering.  It also helps bring the practitioner into the current moment of time.

Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses from Objects)

The practice of pratyahara helps prevent one from being distracted, eventually one can control one’s mind so as not to relive various moments in time by connecting with a smell, taste, feeling etc.  Again this practice helps the practitioner to remain in the current moment of time helping to achieve deep meditation.

Dharana (Concentration)

Dharana is to be able to concentrate, to keep the mind focussed on an external object or an internal thought and exclude all other thoughts and not permit the mind to wander.

Dhyana (Meditation)

Whilst meditating the mind should be focussed, free from past, present or future thoughts.

Samadhi (Super Conscious State / Enlightenment)

Samadhi transcends space, time, feelings and emotions.  It is a state of extreme bliss.  Do not underestimate the power of Samadhi and it is by no means achievable by everyone.

Conclusion
The eight limbs of yoga support each other.  The idea is that the yamas and niyamas are mastered and then it is possible to fully focus on asana practice and commit to the physical postures.  practicing the yamas and niyamas will prevent impure thoughts, acts of greed or emotions that might detract from the physical practice of yoga.

Asana practice will strengthen the body and mind to enable the practitioner to focus on pranayama practice and will therefore not be distracted by aches, pains or poor health.  Pranayamas and asanas together will strengthen body and mind making it possible to focus and begin to develop the skill of pratyahara, once pratyahara is mastered dharana can then be conquered.   Asana, pranayama, pratyahara  and dharana together will enable undisturbed meditation – dharana.  As dharana strengthens and meditation sittings last longer due to strength of body and mind eventually samadhi can be reached.  However we must remember that samadhi is a powerful state and that we are not all destined or ready to reach Samadhi.

Yoga 2 Hear have a growing range of yoga classes suitable for all levels of experience and abilities including a number of specialist classes. All provide an ideal way to learn and practice yoga with expert tuition whenever and wherever you choose.

The Beginners Yoga Class CD’s & MP3 Downloads and Beginners Yoga Flowing Sequence Class CD & MP3 Downloads provide a practical, easy to follow, effective and varied introduction to yoga for those with little or no experience. 

For those with more yoga experience our Improvers Yoga Class & CD’s & MP3 Downloads  and Improvers Flowing Sequence Class CD & MP3 Downloads provide easy to follow and effective classes that use stronger postures. 

Our Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Class CD's & MP3 Downloads have been devised specifically for expectant and new mothers. Both products offer safe and effective classes created by a Pre and Postnatal yoga expert.

If you would like to use yoga to improve your performance on the slopes then our Yoga for Snow Sports Vol.1 & Vol.2 CD’s & MP3 Downloads are for you. The classeshave been created specifically for Skiers and Snowboarders with and without experience of yoga. The classes will improve your strength, flexibility, co-ordination, balance and mental focus. They will also help to reduce the risk of injury and enhance your precious time on the slopes. 

We have also created the Yoga for the Surf Vol.1 & Vol.2 CD’s & MP3 Downloads these classes are specifically for Surfers, Kite Surfers, Windsurfers, Wakeboarders, Kneeboarders and Waterskiers with and without experience of yoga. The classes pay particular attention to increasing upper body strength and flexibility and will also improve your, balance, coordination and mental focus. 

For those wishing to loose weight without heading to the gym we have created the Yoga 2 Hear 2 in 1 Yoga for Weight Loss CD & MP3 Download class. When used in conjunction with a healthy low fat diet this class will help to reduce levels of body fat as well as tone and shape the body.

We have also produced the Introduction to Core Yoga CD & MP3 Download class that will strengthen and bring your awareness to the deep muscles of the lumbar spine, pelvis and abdominal areas which together form our core muscles. The core muscles respond well to slow controlled movements so yoga is the perfect way to strengthen them.

For those who are returning to exercise after a long break or who have not exercised before we have a Gentle Yoga Class CD & MP3 Download that has been created to allow you to try basic Hatha yoga techniques with minimum physical impact to the body. We have also devised a Yoga on a Chair CD & MP3 Download.  The classis ideal for those with restricted movement and features a number of basic hatha yoga postures that have been adapted to allow them to be performed whilst seated on an appropriate chair. 

Our Pranayamas for Beginners CD & MP3 Downloadhas been devised specifically for those with little or no previous experience of yoga to offer a practical introduction to basic yoga breathing techniques. Once learnt, these techniques can be combined with your regular yoga practice or used on their own to evoke deep relaxation, manage pain, and enhance meditation techniques.  Pranayamas also help to increase oxygen levels in the body and to expand the lungs which can improve lung capacity permanently.

If you feel you need to give your head a holiday, de-stress and relax then our guided yoga Relaxation No.1 CD & MP3 Download has been devised to be followed whilst laying and sitting on your yoga mat. The class teaches basic relaxation techniques that are the perfect tools to help you banish stress and clear your mind.

We have also created the Relaxation on a Chair CD & MP3 Download. This relaxation session, which has been devised to be followed whilst sitting still on a comfortable chair, uses simple rhythmic yogic breathing and relaxation techniques that will de-stress, relax, refresh and recharge your body and mind. Relaxation on a Chair is ideal for use in many, many situations, for example, during or after a tough day at home or at work, in a departure lounge, on an plane, train or bus journey or just sitting around the pool on holiday, the possibilities are endless.

If you are one of those who struggle to get to sleep or who often wakes during the night and just can’t get back to sleep again, we have the answer. Our Relaxations for Sleep Vol.1 CD & MP3 Download consists of two different relaxation sessions that are designed to be followed whilst lying comfortably in bed.  Both sessions use yoga breathing, meditation and muscle relaxation techniques that will clear your mind, release stress and tension from your body and relax you into a really great nights sleep. When you wake the following morning you will feel calm, refreshed, rejuvenated and of course relaxed. As a bonus this class comes with our Relaxation on a Chair CD & MP3 Download session FREE OF CHARGE.