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 steel, 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.

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