{"id":12013,"date":"2022-08-15T17:41:50","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T17:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srisrischoolofyoga.org\/na\/?p=12013"},"modified":"2023-07-31T18:56:46","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T22:56:46","slug":"8-limbs-of-yoga-ashtanga-yoga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srisrischoolofyoga.org\/na\/blog\/8-limbs-of-yoga-ashtanga-yoga\/","title":{"rendered":"The 8 Limbs of Yoga and Why They Matter to Your Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that the eight-fold path of yoga (8 limbs of yoga aka ashtanga yoga) is like the blueprint for the entire lifestyle? Read on to find out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yoga is an ancient practice of living that provides a complete philosophy<\/span> to live a healthy, happy life to its full potential. The origins of yoga can be traced back more than ten thousand years. Among many, The Rig Veda, <\/span>Patanjali\u2019s Yoga Sutras<\/span><\/a>, and The Bhagavad Gita are three of the most popular ancient texts that offer insights on yoga. They explain profound yogic philosophy and many transformative yoga practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the eight limbs of yoga?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In 400 CE, <\/span>Maharishi Patanjali<\/span><\/a>, a sage scientist from India, wrote 196 aphorisms on yoga, popularly known as Maharishi Patanjali\u2019s Yoga Sutra. <\/span>The word <\/span>sutra<\/span><\/i> means \u201cto thread or weave\u201d just as the English word suture means \u201cto stitch together.\u201d <\/span>These <\/span>sutras<\/span><\/i> are so clear, accurate, full of precious wisdom to prevent, overcome and transcend the human miseries and suffering even in modern times.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Sutras<\/span><\/i> (or writings) of Patanjali are divided into four sections or <\/span>padas<\/span><\/i>. The practice of the eight-fold path of yoga comes from section two called the <\/span>Sadhana Pada<\/span><\/i>. In this chapter, Sage Patanjali mentions this eight-fold path as \u201cashtanga yoga\u201d in <\/span>sutra<\/span><\/i> 29 (aphorism 2.29). He created this path to help us transcend human sufferings and to reach self-realization and ultimate freedom. In simple words, this way of living promotes the harmonious collaboration of body, mind, and spirit and complete health and wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u092f\u092e\u0928\u093f\u092f\u092e\u093e\u0938\u0928\u092a\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0923\u093e\u092f\u093e\u092e\u092a\u094d\u0930\u0924\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0939\u093e\u0930\u0927\u093e\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0927\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0928\u0938\u092e\u093e\u0927\u092f\u094b\u093d\u0937\u094d\u091f\u093e\u0935\u0919\u094d\u0917\u093e\u0928\u093f \u0965 \u0968.\u0968\u096f\u0965<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Yama niyama asana pranayama<\/span><\/i> pratyahara dharana dhyana samadhi ashtau angani<\/span><\/i>\u201d. (2.29)<\/span><\/p>\n

Yama, Niyama, \u0100sana, Pr\u0101n\u0101y\u0101ma, Praty\u0101h\u0101ra, Dh\u0101ran\u0101, Dhy\u0101na, and Sam\u0101dhi are the eight limbs of Yoga.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Ashta<\/span><\/i> means eight, <\/span>anga<\/span><\/i> means limbs. These eight limbs are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Set of 5 social ethics: <\/span>Yama\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  2. Set of 5<\/span> personal ethics: <\/span>Niyama<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  3. Poses<\/span> or <\/span><\/i>Postures: <\/span>Asana<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  4. Breathing exercises<\/span> \/ Breathing techniques\/ Breathwork: <\/span>Pranayama<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  5. Withdrawing the senses inward: <\/span>Pratyahara<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  6. Art of effortless concentration: <\/span>Dharana<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  7. Meditation: <\/span>Dhyana<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n
  8. Complete harmony with universal consciousness: <\/span>Samadhi<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In <\/span>Samadhi Pada<\/span><\/i>\u2013the first chapter of yoga sutras, Sage Patanjali defines yoga as:
    \n<\/span>Yogas chitta vritti nirodhah: <\/span><\/i>Yoga is stilling the fluctuations of the mind. (1.2)
    \n<\/span>Tada drastuh svarupe vasthanam: <\/span><\/i>Yoga is abiding in the nature of the seer. (1.3)
    \n<\/span>Thus the 1st chapter clarifies the goal of yoga while the 2nd chapter suggests a path to achieve that goal.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    Overview of the 8 limbs of yoga<\/span><\/h2>\n
    \"8
    8 Limbs of Yoga<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Social and personal ethics of yoga: <\/span>yamas and niyamas<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

    Yama<\/i><\/b> and <\/b>Niyama<\/i><\/b> are the first two limbs of <\/span>ashtanga yoga<\/span><\/i>. Understanding them will help you learn how to practice yoga in your daily life. This can transform you and your yoga practice.<\/span><\/p>\n


    \nYamas are universal morality,\u00a0 attitudes towards society and how you treat others and the world around you. The set of 5 yamas are:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Ahimsa:<\/b> Non – Violence \/ Non – Harming \/ Kindness \/ Compassion<\/span><\/p>\n

    Satya: <\/b>Non-Deception \/ Truthfulness<\/span><\/p>\n

    Asteya:<\/b> Non-Stealing \/ Honesty \/Abundance<\/span><\/p>\n

    Brahmacharya:<\/b> Celibacy \/ Moderation of the Senses \/ Self \u2013 Restraint <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Aparigraha:<\/b> Non-Greed \/ Security \/ Self-reliance \/ Non \u2013 possessiveness \/ Non-accumulating<\/span><\/p>\n


    \nNiyamas are Personal observances, Attitudes towards ourselves and inner discipline and responsibility. There are 5 Niyamas:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Shoucha:<\/b> Purity<\/span><\/p>\n

    Santosha:<\/b> Contentment \/ Happiness<\/span><\/p>\n

    Tapas:<\/b> Self – Discipline \/ Austerity \/ Penance<\/span><\/p>\n

    Swadhyaya:<\/b> Self Examination \/ Self Study<\/span><\/p>\n

    Ishvarapranidhana:<\/b> Self \u2013 surrender to the divine \/ Spiritual Attunement<\/span><\/p>\n

    For better understanding and how to integrate these in daily living, download our free ebook: Decoding Yamas and Niyamas for the Modern Yogis<\/span><\/p>\n

    Yoga poses: <\/span>asana<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

    Today, most people practicing yoga focus on the practice of the third limb, <\/span>Asana, <\/i><\/b>or yoga postures<\/span>.<\/i><\/b> Yoga poses are a discipline of physical postures designed to purify the body and provide physical stability, stamina, and strength. Many people only know yoga as the practice of physical yoga postures. It is definitely a good starting point. In ancient times, <\/span>asana<\/span><\/i> practice was meant more for cultivating the physical and mental stability and easiness that is required for the practice of meditation (the seventh limb). The literal meaning of <\/span>asana<\/span><\/i> is \u201ca seat\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Asanas include the dual qualities of <\/span>alertness (steadiness) and relaxation (easeness).<\/span><\/i> Asanas give us an opportunity to study and explore the physical realm of our existence. More than flexibility of muscles and alignments, they are about connecting physical steadiness to stillness and happiness of mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Asanas involve increased awareness of various physical and physiological processes\u00a0<\/span>influenced by controlled stretching, contraction, relaxation, and coordination of various <\/span>muscles, and in balancing and maintenance of posture.<\/span><\/p>\n

    At a deeper level, asana means full expression of mind-body integration, in which one <\/span>becomes consciously aware of the flow of life energy in the body. Performing asanas with\u00a0<\/span>awareness is practice for<\/span> performing every action in life with awareness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    It is believed that there are more than 84,000 different yoga poses. Don\u2019t get intrigued by this huge number! You don\u2019t have to learn that many poses! Just a handful of them will be great. As you progress you may add some more challenging advanced poses.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Breathing practices: <\/span>pranayama<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

    Pranayama<\/i><\/b> consists of two Sanskrit words\u2014<\/span>Prana<\/span><\/i> (life force) and <\/span>Ayama<\/span><\/i> (control). So, <\/span>pranayama<\/span><\/i> means the regulation of the flow of life force. It is the science of breathing. Breath is the physical expression of life-force energy. In recent years, the term breathwork has been coined to describe breathing exercises or breathing techniques.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    We breathe every single minute. We take approximately 21, 600 breaths every day!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Breath is a bridge between our body, mind and spirit. Changes in our mind affect our\u00a0<\/span>breathing and vice-versa. Every emotion has a corresponding rhythm of the breath, and the\u00a0<\/span>way we breathe can influence the way we feel.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Breathing is also a bridge between our sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Practice of pranayama helps us to harness the power of breath for physical, mental,\u00a0 emotional and spiritual health.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Give a try to some simple ones like Breath of Joy, Alternate Nostril Breathing or Ujjayi Breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Breath of Joy<\/span><\/h2>\n