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Eight Limbs of Yoga
by Erin Abrams

Eight Limbs of Yoga:

The Yoga Sutras, scripted by Patanjali, outlined the path all yogis should implement as a guideline to their daily life.  The Yoga Sutras furnishes a yogi with a strings that threads together a school of thought that dwindles away any impurities. The path of yogic maturation consists of the following eight limbs:

1. Yama = Restraints

1. non-violence (ahimsa)
2. truthfulness (satyam),
3. control of senses (brahmacharya)
4. non-stealing (asteya)
5. not wanting more then you have (aparigraha)
2. Niyama = Observances
1. Purity (saucha)
2. Contentment (santosha)
3. Austerity (tapas)
4. Study of the sacred texts (swadhyaya)
5. Living with an awareness of the divine presence (ishwara pranidhana)
3. Asana = postures
4. Pranayama = breath control
5. Pratyahara = sensory withdrawal to still the mind
6. Dharana = concentration
7. Dhyana = meditation of pure thought
8. Samadhi = superconscious state and the body and mind have been transcended and the yogi is one with self or God.

Developing a firm belief in the yamas and niyamas builds the foundation for yoga.  Living these truths help the individual become more centered in the Self.

 

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