The eight limbs of yoga – a guide to a holistic practice
- Ashling Di Gloria
- Nov 7, 2021
- 3 min read
When we imagine what a yoga class might look like, we often picture a room full of flexible people that are engaged in a physically challenging pose on a mat, surrounded by gong sounds and incense smells.
Although this can be an accurate assumption of what a yoga practice may look like from an outsider’s perspective, in reality yoga is an ancient discipline that targets the mind, body and spiritual aspect of life.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The yoga sutras are a collection of Sanskrit verses written by master Patanjali over 2000 years ago, edited and interpreted by Swami Venkatesananda.
The sutras are 196 verses containing hard to decipher teachings on the nature and purpose of yoga practice. Rather than a manual, the sutras are a guide on how to think, act, understand and engage with the world around us.
What is Yoga?
Yoga means harmony, union, coming together or meeting.
From this definition, there is an understanding that yoga is the practice of mental stillness, observing the flow of thoughts without suppressing them, with the purpose of uprooting suffering and attachment, and achieving integration with ourselves and with the world we live in.
The eight limbs of Yoga
1. external discipline – yama
Yama is the first limb, and it embodies five virtues: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, good conduct and non-greediness.
The virtues are self-restraints that require students to observe their impulses and exercise control over them by not reacting. The key learning is not to suppress your desires and wishes, but rather to observe and understand why they arise and where they are originating form.
2. internal discipline – niyama
Niyama is the practice of discipline in our internal and external life expressed by the qualities of purity, contentment, simplicity, study and surrender. Are these virtues present in you? Notice when you find the opposite of these qualities arise in moments of your life, and instead of repressing them, analyse the origin of these feelings or orientations.
3. posture – asana
Asana is the posture of the body in the moment of contemplation. The sutras refer to physical, mental, emotional postures that must be steady and enjoyable, to favour the flow of energy. Patanjali further illustrates that the practice of the asanas should be mild and accompanied by meditation, as without the connection to the mind there is no strength. It is a moment of union between the body and the mind, creating the space for awareness, peace and inner happiness.
4. breath regulation – pranayama
Pranayama is the regulation of the breath, interrupting it, reversing it, and manipulating it in ways which can balance the mind and the body. Prana is the life force that can be found in the air we breathe and that makes us live. It connects us to our wellbeing and eases discomforts. Pranayamas are essentially different breathing techniques that aim to alter the regular breath rhythm, with the benefit of purification.
5. withdrawal of the senses – pratyahara
Pratyahara is the internalisation of our attention, which normally is captured by our senses. The awareness and calm that comes from tuning in rather than looking out, helps the yogi achieve psychological rest and freedom.
6. concentration – dharana
Dharna is focusing on the mind, one pointed thinking. This aspect of yoga invites you to be present in the moment and watch your breath, for example, or focus on a precise object without letting your attention drift away.
7. meditative observation – dhyana
meditation is hard to describe, but we can say it’s the practice of not getting distracted and of controlling your mind. You can achieve this by focusing on a mantra, for example.
8. integration – samadhaya
Samadhaya is the integration of concentration, meditation, and awareness.
It’s a practice of inner discipline. This is the final limb needed to complete the pillars of Yoga.
How can you use the eight limbs of yoga in your practice?
By dedicating your efforts to practicing not only the physical postures, but also breathing techniques, meditation and discipline, you will be able to access a deeper level of connection to yourself, whether you’re attending a yoga class in a yoga studio or if you do it by yourself. You will better understand patterns and thoughts that you were not able to govern before, resulting in an improvement of your happiness and quality of life overall.
Be disciplined, but not hard on yourself.
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References
A. (2021, September 3). A Beginner’s Guide to Pranayama. Yoga Journal. https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/beginners/how-to/pranayama/
About Yoga. (2021). 8 Limbs Yoga. https://8limbsyoga.com/about-yoga/
Delight Yoga. (2021). An Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali | Delight Yoga. Retrieved 2021, from https://delightyoga.com/blog/yoga/an-introduction-to-the-yoga-sutras-of-patanjali
Satchidananda, S. S. (2012). The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Revised ed.). Integral Yoga Publications.
Sovik, R. (2013, September 25). Yoga Philosophy Basics: The 5 Yamas. Yoga International. https://yogainternational.com/article/view/yoga-philosophy-basics-the-5-yamas
Yoga International. (2017, September 21). What Are Yoga Asanas? https://yogainternational.com/article/view/yoga-asanas
Yogapedia. (2020). Yoga. Yogapedia.Com. https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4/yoga
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