Why are the Eight Limbs of Yoga Important?

Why are the Eight Limbs of Yoga Important?

The Eight Limbs of Yoga have been studied by yoga practitioners globally. They are widely accepted as a suitable foundation to build yoga and meditation practices upon. The guidance they provide can be interpreted to suit all styles of yoga. Integrating the limbs into yoga and meditation practices will bring many benefits whilst keeping essence of yoga alive. The eight limbs help to develop and maintain healthy habits towards the self and others, whilst providing a path that guides practitioners effectively through the practise of yoga. Following this path maintains the authenticity of yoga.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

1. Yamas – also known as restraints, they encourage healthy behaviour towards others. They include – ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), bramacharya (moderation), and aparigraha (to not be greedy).
2. Niyamas – also known as observances, they help guide us towards creating healthy habits towards the self. They include – saucha (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (discipline or motivation), svadhyaya (self study or spiritual study), ishvara pranidhana (acknowledging a higher force).

These first two limbs provide a moral code as to how we direct positive energy outwards and inwards. By following these simple and ethical practices and living a life that is true to both the self and others the mind could have less distractions or regrets. Which would allow for a more focussed practice.

3. Asana – translates to mean steady pose. Developing a healthy mobile, strong and well aligned body will help to eliminate physical aches and pains which could lead to distraction during practice.
4. Pranayama – translates in the following way prana means vital life force, yama means restraint and ayama means expansion, therefore pranayama is widely referred to as control of vital life force. This is most often developed through breathing practice as the breath is the main carrier for the prana. It is more achievable when the body is correctly aligned. Through good alignment and control of vital life force it becomes easier to access the last four of the limbs.
5. Pratyahara – translates to mean withdrawal of senses. This limb is all about developing the skills to not be drawn in by the senses. For example, a sound might be heard but practitioners are to accept the sound and not be drawn into listening further, or a sensation might be experienced instead of dwelling on the sensation practitioners acknowledge it exists and return to the practice.
6. Dharana – translates to mean focussed attention. Dharana and pratyahara are very closely linked, dharana is about developing and maintaining the skill to not be distracted by sensations and to remain focussed on the practice.
7. Dhyana – translates to mean meditation. It is through following each of the preceding limbs that a state of meditation can be experienced.
8. Samadhi – translates to mean bliss or enlightenment. Although it is important to note that there are many different stages of samadhi. Through following the other limbs of yoga eventually a state of balance is obtained, where the mind is free from fluctuations. This is samadhi which is often experienced as a sense of inner peace and contentment, the sensation might last for just a few moments and others it could be for a lifetime.

It becomes apparent that each limb supports and entwines with the others to help practitioners obtain undistracted meditation leading to inner peace and contentment.

This blog article was written by Sue Fuller creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes, meditation teacher training and yoga teacher training courses.

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