The eight limbs of yoga

The limbs of Yoga are like the limbs on a tree - unpredictable and different for each person/tree.

The first of the eight limbs of yoga is called Yama: A code of universal ethics to be followed. They are:

Ahimsa: nonviolence, not to hurt any creature physically or mentally through mind, speech or action.

Satya: truthfulness in all dealings with others and one’s self. Never being insincere or lying, even to one’s self. This one can be used during asanas also. While listening to the body, don’t lie to yourself and try to move into the postures too far. Not lying to yourself in this case could prevent injury.

Asteya: non-stealing, not to acquire others’ possessions or ideas without consent, not taking advantage of one’s trust.

Brahmacharya: continence, restraint, responsible behavior. This also involves sexual continence, sometimes celibacy. To practice sex responsibly.

Aparigraha: non-attachment, taking only what is necessary. Wealth is not a problem, being obsessed with it is. I’ve also read where this means non acceptance of gifts, because by accepting gifts one is obliged to someone else and loses one’s freedom.

This limb focuses on one’s ethical standards and sense of integrity. It relates to what we know as the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

Here is my version of this limb: Be nice, be honest, practice responsible behavior, and don't be greedy.

NOTE As you read through these eight limbs of yoga remember to have a general overview of them. They are not meant to be followed specifically, but they are meant to be a general guideline of how to lead a yogic lifestyle.

The second limb is called Niyama: It has to do with self-discipline and spiritual observance. This is one of the eight limbs of yoga that can be translated easily into today's world.

This is a code of personal conduct. The five Niyamas are:

Saucha: cleanliness. Inner and outer purification. Physical, mental and spiritual purification. By cleanliness of spirit and mental health, we could translate it into trying not to do things that we would regret. Let go of anger and frustration and move on.

Samtosa: contentment. Being happy in the moment. Accepting what life brings, good or bad. Being happy in the moment could mean appreciate how blue the sky is, or even how the rain nourishes the earth. Stuck in traffic? Take advantage of a few minutes to take a few cleansing breaths.

Accepting good or bad things; everything happens for a reason and whether we know that reason or not, something bigger and better could be right around the corner. Stressful things happen, but each day is a new day so don't allow the stress of one day to dampen the next. Let it go and move forward.

Tapas: heat; spiritual austerities, keeping the body fit. Nothing in life can be achieved without discipline. Keeping the body fit is something we all strive for. I doesn't mean you need to be a fitness nut, just stay healthy.

Svadhyaya: study of the scriptures and of one’s self. To apply one’s self when and where needed for one’s growth. To study the scriptures or to study one’s self through reflection.

Study? Take a look at yourself every now and then. Is there a behavior that can be eliminated? Is there something you can change to be a better person. Is there one act of kindness that you can practice daily?

Isvara pranidhana: surrender to God. To give one’s heart to God. To willfully give up egoism. To realize one is not in control of one’s existence. If one does not believe in God, believe in good and surrender one’s self to good. (This is where my interpretation is that yoga is not a religion, it can be beneficial to all beliefs.) We need all the good that people can produce in today's world!!

The eight limbs of yoga continue with a physical aspect:

The third limb is Asana. This is the most common discipline taught in contemporary yoga classes. These are the actual physical exercises that people usually associate with yoga. These powerful poses are designed to give our bodies strength, flexibility and energy, as well as keeping our inner organs healthy. In the yogic view the body is a temple of spirit.

The care of this body is a very important stage of our spiritual growth. The physical limb is a link to the other eight limbs in that by maintaining a healthy and open body, we are able to come to deeper meditation. The practice of asana also contributes to developing the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate. And it contributes to the deep sense of relaxation, all of which are necessary to meditate.

Another way to connect the physical and mental eight limbs of yoga is the breath.

The fourth limb is Pranayama. Prana translates as breath or life force. This is generally described as breath control. By controlling the breath we learn to control the body and mind.

Pranyama prepares one for meditation by slowing down the heart rate and nerve impulses to the brain. These energizing breathing exercises produce vitality, overall health and inner calm. We can strengthen the energy within. Yogis believe that it not only rejuvenates the body but that it actually extends life itself. The exercises can be used in times of anger or stress to calm the mind. It brings a sense of balance of the inner self with the world around us. These exercises can be practiced alone or integrated into asanas. The first four limbs of Patanjali’s ashtanga yoga concentrate on refining the personality, gaining mastery over the body, and developing an energetic awareness of ourselves. All of these things prepare us for the second half of the journey, which involves the senses, the mind and a higher state of consciousness.

The next four of the eight limbs practice a sort of mind control. Take a trip inside your body and identify your abilities to control your thoughts.

The fifth limb is Pratyahara. This is the practice of learning to control and withdraw the senses. When we touch, smell and taste - our attention is directed outward. In this stage we make the conscious effort to draw our awareness away from the external world.

We try to direct our attention inward. This step provides us with an opportunity to step back and take a look at ourselves objectively and look for any habits that are maybe bad for us or unhealthy and might interfere with our inner growth. Without outside influences we are able to view ourselves in a deeper more intimate way, ultimately finding our true self.

By taking the senses out of the equation we can focus inward. It’s kind of like not baking cookies when we are on a diet. The smell of cookies baking simply makes you crave them. This type of yoga practices focusing inward rather than on physical senses.

The first five of the eight limbs of yoga prepare us for this step by creating a setting for concentration.

The sixth limb is Dharana. Having rid ourselves of outside distractions we can now deal with the distractions of the mind itself. This step is the practice of slowing down the thinking process by concentrating on a single object or a single repetition of a sound.

When I teach meditation, sometimes I focus on an image. Everyone's image inside their mind is different, but a general suggestion would be sitting by a lake, imagining big white puffy clouds and a peaceful breeze. By picturing your own image of peacefulness you can stop thinking about everyday tasks and stresses. Give your stress a break.

Stress can lead to risk of many diseases that you don't want. Practicing the eight limbs of yoga can provide these health benefits.

This can be the most difficult of the eight limbs of yoga. Many people simply have a hard time resting their thoughts.

The seventh limb is Dhyana. Meditation is the uninterrupted flow of concentration - or the practice of slowing down the thought process from a bunch of thoughts to a few thoughts to one thought then to no thoughts.

Concentration and meditation may appear to be the same thing, but there is a fine line of distinction between these two stages. Where dharana practices one pointed attention, dhyana is ultimately a state of being keenly aware without focus. At this stage the mind has been quieted, and in the stillness it produces few or no thoughts at all. The mind and body must be totally quiet and open, engaging all the previous limbs to achieve this state of total awareness.

The eighth limb of yoga is Samadhi. This final stage of ashtanga is described as a state of ecstasy or enlightenment. The individual loses their ego consciousness. It is the joining or union with all living things, with the universe, and with the Divine.

At this stage the meditator experiences the blissful absorption of one’s individual consciousness in the essence of peacefulness. The yogi experiences the direct presence of peace in their life. The result is peace, bliss and happiness, beyond the place of knowledge, beyond the place of worldly things, to a realization that everything is of the same substance and that it is all connected.

I try to live by the general guidelines of the eight limbs of yoga. For me, slowing down long enough to meditate is difficult so I take advantage of the few minutes at the end of my yoga practices to slow down my thoughts.

To sum it all up; the practice of yoga dates back centuries and it would take more than a lifetime to learn everything there is to know. It is a growing practice even in the 21st century. The practice changes with the times and with the people who benefit from it. If you can use any of this eight limb philosophy in your life, please feel free to investigate further. If you like the idea of using yoga as a fitness program, then do that. You should do whatever works to your benefit, but there is some form of benefit in the whole spectrum of yoga for everyone.

These eight limbs of yoga are meant to promote a good, happy and healthy life.