8 Limbs of Yoga
| Written By: Denice Zengo |
It Takes More Than Just One Limb to Be Enlightened
Pantanjali is the renowned sage who spoke of the eight-fold-path. He is often called the father of yoga. Not because he founded yoga, but because his followers eventually wrote down the teachings. Before that, this wisdom was passed down verbally.
These teachings are called the yoga sutras. Sutras means thread – words are “threaded” together to convey the science of yoga. There are 200 sutras. All of which are written in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is the ancient language of the Rishis – the seer and mystics. All of the Vedic texts are written in this language.
It’s Not About What Happens on Your Mat
The 8 limbed path of yoga outlines the practices that support the yogi along their evolutionary journey. You might not call yourself a yogi, but we are all on the same spiritual journey. Although there are many different spiritual paths to follow… the core teachings are the same. Every spiritual discipline stresses the importance of love and compassion. The yogic sages talk about the yamas and niyamas. These are the first 2 limbs.
1. Yamas – 5 moral codes to live by
Even though the sanskrit term may initially seem foreign, the concepts are very similar to the guidelines you will find across many, if not all, spiritual disciplines.
Ahimsa | This is pretty basic… don’t cause any harm. Ahimsa is sometimes translated as non violence. You might think that’s any easy one. But ahimsa is about not causing harm to ourselves, as well as all of life. It should bring to mind not only how we treat others but also animals and the environment. What is your carbon footprint on this earth? Do you respect and honor all of life? As you go through your day watch the impact you have and become conscious of how you can practice non violence in your thoughts as well as your actions.
We live in a society and culture where it is difficult to practice the more subtle elements of ahimsa. If your house has an ant infestation do you spray chemicals? Do you set a trap for the rat your cat brought into the house or do you catch and release? None of the guidelines are about judgement but about increasing awareness and expanding consciousness.
Satya | This is about being truthful. When we are honest and truthful, we are living with integrity. Sometimes the biggest challenge is being honest with ourselves. Our ego knows our mind and can be so very clever in disguising our intentions. This can show up in excuses and denial.
Bramacharya | This is sometimes translated as celibacy. Likely because in ancient Vedic Society, people chose the path of enlightenment or the path of the householder. If you chose the former, then you would become an ascetic or a monk and sex would not be a part of your life. So… in our modern day yoga practice think of bramacharya as practicing honorable acts that connect you to the creative energy of the cosmos. Living a disciplined life that embraces an inner moral strength. Sexuality should be sacred.
Asteya | Not stealing… seems simple enough. Asteya is not just about taking things that are not ours. There are more subtle ways of stealing. Taking credit for something that wasn’t actually our idea… stealing time by being late on a regular basis, receiving favours and not giving back.
Aparigraha | Think about letting go. This applies to clutter in the mind as well as hoarding, collecting and attachment to material things. Through the practice of yoga, we become aware of meanings on a deeper and more subtle level. Why do we feel the need to accumulate material things? What holds us back from letting go of attitudes and beliefs that no longer serve us?
Knowing the definition of a principle is only the beginning of understanding. It is when we touch those “Aha” moments that our journey truly begins. Don’t mistake knowledge for wisdom.
2. Niyamas – 5 personal codes to live by
Tapas | Frequently thought of as austerity of discipline. Tapas comes from the root word “tap” meaning to burn or blaze. In cultivating tapas, we become disciplined in our thought, word and actions. We focus our efforts in “burning up desires” which stand in the way of our fullest divine potential.
Svadhyaya | This is the inner work we do towards developing self awareness. Through self awareness we connect to the deeper level of ourselves that is the joy of being as opposed to having or ego identification.
Ishavara Pranidhana | Ancient wisdom teaches that we must access higher energy sources in order to transform our lives. We are all connected to God, Great Spirit, Cosmic Energy… whatever you would like to call this underlying principle of intelligence. It is through this focus and acknowledgement that we can tap into the higher, positive energy forces towards greater harmony, awareness and peace. Yoga, prayer, meditation, reading of sacred texts are all ways to tap into these higher currents.
Saucha | Purity and cleanliness – When we adapt the attitude of saucha towards ourselves, we are conscious of everything we take into our body and mind. The food we eat, keeps the body healthy and clean. We also need to be aware of all incoming impressions. Some are hard to avoid in our day to day lives. It’s important to pay attention to what movies you watch, which books you read etc. Everything you surround yourself with becomes a part of your psyche. Spending time in nature is a powerful way to cleanse your spirit.
Santosha | Contentment – focusing on an inner sense of well being. When we practice santosha we find peace by connecting to the present. We learn to let go of expectations and our need to control situations and outcomes. We surrender but still strive towards positive change in ourselves and the world around us. It is a place of acceptance, faith and gratitude for the gifts we have received. It is looking at the glass half full.
3. Asana
This the physical aspect of yoga. In the west, many of us think this is the whole of yoga. It is only one aspect. Yoga is not a physical exercise. Asanas are the postures / poses that we practice to keep our body, mind and spirit in healthy harmony. Practicing asana is a way to connect to the self on a deeper level, using the body as a tool for consciousness.
4. Pranayama
This is the practice of the breath as life force energy, called prana. Prana flows through nature and the universe. By integrating special breathing exercises into your yoga asana you begin to recognize the relationship between your breath and your mind. A calm, steady and rhythmic breath is indicative of a peaceful mind.
More advanced pranayama exercises expand your state of awareness, increase energy and awaken kundalini.
5. Pratyahara
Learning how to focus inward. Pantanjali stresses the importance of taking time to withdraw our senses from the outside world. We become over stimulated by everything that we see, hear, touch, taste and feel. Our senses are in a constant state of receiving and processing. When we are focused on the outside world, we get caught up in “object desire.” We believe that our happiness depends upon accumulating and having. When we take time to meditate and go within, we connect to a deeper, unwavering sense of joy, peace and inner contentment.
6. Dharana
All of the 8 limbs are important in the pursuit of a balanced, healthy and vibrant life – understanding dharana is crucial. We need to master where we focus our attention and be clear about our intention. This is how we affect change in ourselves and influence what is manifested in our lives.
7. Dhyana
Through the practice of meditation you are able to step back from your thoughts and become the silent witness. You develop a more expansive sense of self, recognizing that you are not what you think, feel, see or experience.
“Dhyana is the cultivation of your awareness so that in the midst of this unending change, you do not lose your self in the objects of your experience.” – Depak Chopra
8. Samadhi
Ahhh… the ultimate. Complete inner happiness and bliss. Samadhi is the total absorption and merging with the Divine. In this moment, there is no longer a sense of self or ego. There is an absolute immersion devoid of even the silent ever present witness. Samadhi is a transcendental state where consciousness “becomes totally absorbed in the soul” (Yoga The Iyengar Way).
