21 Apr Ashtanga – The 8 Limbs of Yoga

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali refers to 8 limbs of yoga, each of which offers guidance on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. Learn about each one and how to incorporate them into your practice.

Ashtanga, literally means “eight limbs” (ashta=eight, anga=limb)

• Yama (Restraints) … 
• Niyama (Observances) … 
• Asana (Posture) … 
• Pranayama (Breath Control) … 
• Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses) … 
• Dharana (Concentration) … 
• Dhyana (Meditation) … 
• Samadhi (Pure Contemplation)

1. Yamas  – Social duties

Yamas teach us attitudes that we must follow with respect to the environment we live in. They are codes of conduct that teach us to practice restraint. 

a. Ahimsa – Non-violence 

“Ahimsa pratishtayam tat sannidhau vairatyagaha’’ (II Sutra 35)

“When a person is established in non-violence, then violence is dropped in his or her presence.”

Consciously choosing to walk the path of non-violence, dropping all intentions that lean towards destruction because the very intent can destroy your basis and root. 

When you are rooted in ahimsa, your aura influences those around you. When you practice ahimsa, you become peaceful within, and when you become peaceful within, you tend towards ahimsa. It is a two-way street. 

b. Satya – Truth

“Satya pratishtayam kriya phala shrayatvam’’ (II Sutra 36)

“When a person is established in truth then the fruits of action will follow.” 

Deep within us, there is an unchanging quality and this yama refers to that. It is not merely in words that we must be truthful. It is through our actions, in our heart and mind, and the intention that really counts. It is the depth of our very core that should tend towards the unchanging. That is satya.

c. Asteya – Not stealing 

“Asteya pratishtayam sarvara ratna upasthanam” (II Sutra 37)

“When non-stealing is established, all the jewels (wealth) approach the person.”

We must not by action, deed, or thought seek to gain anything that is not rightfully ours. Stealing does not only refer to property – physical, intellectual or material things; it also refers to thoughts. 

When we are established with an intention to not steal and are sincere, wealth will come effortlessly. 

d. Brahmacharya – Celibacy

“Brahmacharya pratishtayam viryalabhaha” (II Sutra 38)

“On being established in celibacy, vigor is gained.”

The meaning of brahmacharya is not simply celibacy. It means to move in infinity. When we meditate, we forget the body, mind, and all senses, and move in infinite consciousness. This connects us with our vast nature. This bestows strength and vigor. Not indulging in the whims and fancies of the senses, and uniting with the infinite consciousness within can make us powerful. That is the meaning of brahmacharya.

e. Aparigraha – Not coveting

“Aparigraha sthairye janmakathanta sambodhaha” (II Sutra 39)

“Being established in non-accumulation gives knowledge of all past and future births.”

Aparigraha refers to not accumulating things or taking anything from anyone – being happy and content in our own existence. And realizing that giving is the greatest joy. When we give something to someone, the positive vibrations come back to us.

2. Niyamas – Persnoal rules

“Shaucha santoshatapaha swadhyaya ishwarapranidhanani niyamaha” (II Sutra 32)

“Cleanliness, contentment, penance, self-study, and devotion to the divinity are the five rules or niyamas.”

Niyamas are practices that cultivate us and help us to uphold our dharma:

• Shaucha (cleanliness): Maintaining physical purity (external cleansing through bathing and internal cleaning through drinking water) and purity of the environment in which we live as well as mental purity- being free from anxieties
• Santosha (happiness, contentment): Being unconditionally happy – no matter what – and realizing our true nature
• Tapaha (penance, spiritual austerities): Burning of negative thoughts through discipline and austerity so that we can go deep within our Self, reposing in silence

https://youtube.com/watch?v=T3iVIxXpN1w%3Fenablejsapi%3D1%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.artofliving.org

• Svadhyaya (self-study): Reading scriptures but learning through experiences and reading, to gain better understanding of the Self
• Ishvara pranidhana (devotion or surrender to the Divine): Seeing life in the context of the vast universe – diving into the infinite and vast consciousness that is filled with love, beauty, and truth, and surrendering to it

Read more on how the yamas and niyamas make sense in the modern world here.

3. Asanas – Physical postures

“Sthirasukhamasanam’’ (II Sūtra 46)

“That posture which is steady and comfortable is āsana.”

Asanas are physical postures that help settle the body for meditation. It ensures that the body is fit and healthy, free from disease and restlessness. It is important for the physical self to be healthy as it prepares us to dive within and explore the inner Self. Equilibrium at the physical level enables balance at the mental, intellectual, and, ultimately, spiritual level.

4. Pranayama – Control of breath

Prana means life force. Breathing techniques that promote our life force are pranayamas. Rishi Patanjali says retention and splitting of breath in a special way and changing the rhythm of the breath, is pranayama. When we break the movement of the breath by consciously breathing long breaths with counts while paying attention to different parts of the body, it clears impurities from the mind. 

5. Pratyahara – Conscious withdrawal of senses

This is a state when the senses don’t engage with the external environment instead turning inwards towards the consciousness. In this state, it is easier to control the senses. We have five sheaths or layers, Pancha Kosha, that envelop the inner Atman or consciousness:

• Annamaya Kosha – the food sheath
• Pranamaya Kosha – the breath sheath
• Manomaya Kosha – the mind sheath
• Vijnyanmaya Kosha – the intellect sheath
• Anandamaya Kosha – the bliss sheath

Through meditation, one can penetrate and transcend the koshas. And ultimately connect with the consciousness, the objective of pratyahara. 

Dharana and Dhyana are often synonymously used. Let’s explore how one leads to the other.

6. Dharana – Attention 

This refers to paying attention to one particular thing, idea, or place and fixing it there. Sometimes, people use a mantra or the breath to do this. When you fix your mind on a specific point, over time, your mind stops wavering; you become free from conflict; it is a unique time when your thoughts and actions are in congruence. So, you slowly and steadily still yourself and calm down as you merge with the moment. As you become one with the moment, you can effortlessly enter meditation or dhyana.

7. Dhyana – Meditation

In this state, you observe your mind becoming still. An outcome of meditation is concentration. In the meditate state, you also achieve deep rest which leads to samadhi.

8. Samadhi – Absorption with the Self 

This is the ultimate state of consciousness. It is a transcending thought. You are only aware of your Self and are connected to your true nature – love, joy, and strength. This is the ultimate goal that we seek to achieve in life.

If you have been used to thinking of yoga for beginners as simply asanas, we hope that this has helped broaden your outlook aiming towards complete well-being rather than only physical well-being. With these eight limbs of yoga, you will learn how to control your body, senses, and mind. To move towards your inner Self till you ultimately come in touch with your consciousness. Where you are endless, vast, infinite.