The 8 Limbs of Yoga

Around 350 CE (Common Era), a wise sage named Patanjali, compiled 196 sutras, or threads, that outline the practice of Yoga.  These sutras were organized into 4 chapters. 

Chapter 1:  What is Yoga?

Chapter 2:  How to attain the state of Yoga.

Chapter 3: The benefits of a Yoga practice.

Chapter 4: The freedom from suffering.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga (In Sanskrit and English) are included in Chapter 2:

1.  Yamas – Restraints (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, non-greediness)

2.  Niyamas – Observances (cleanliness, contentment, burning of impurities, self-study, surrender to the divine)

3.  Asana – Postures

4.  Pranayama – Life Force Extension / Breath Control

5.  Pratyhara – Withdrawal of the Senses

6.  Dhrana – Concentration

7.  Dhyana – Meditation

8.  Samadi – Bliss

The 8 limbs are not like a staircase where you need to master one before moving to the next. They are practiced concurrently. The Yamas and Niyamas are things we can do on our mats and off our mats.  More on the Yamas and Niyamas in a future newsletter.

We practice Pranayama (#4) in my classes.  At the beginning of class, we center ourselves for practice by tuning into our breath and using different breath patterns.  We also focus on our breath during practice, moving our bodies with our breath.

Pratyhara (#5, withdrawal of the senses), Dhrana (#6, concentration), and Dhyana (#7, Meditation) go hand in hand as we come to the end of practice and spend a few minutes in meditation.  Samadi (#8, bliss), is that place we hope to find in our meditation.  That peaceful, centered, and calm place.  THAT YOGA FEELING!