The eight limbs of yoga in a nut shell
There are 'eight limbs' to the yoga sutras.
These are commonly known as the ‘eight limbs of yoga’. Each describes a different aspect of the yoga practice.
The yoga sutras are like a guide on how to live in order to advance along a spiritual path towards enlightenment.
Yama (moral discipline)
Niyama (observances)
Asana (physical postures)
Pranayama (breathing techniques)
Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
Dharana (concentration of the mind)
Dhyana (absorption or meditation)
Samadhi (enlightenment or bliss)
Yama and Niyamas
The Yamas and Niyamas originate from the very well known text ‘The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’. Yamas & Niyamas are the first two practices of yoga according to Patanjali.
The Yamas and Niyamas are often seen as ‘moral codes’ and generally the right way to live our lives. They form the foundation of our whole practice, and honouring these ethics as we progress along ‘the path’ means we’re always being mindful of each action, and therefore cultivating a more present and aware state of being. The Yamas traditionally guide us towards practices concerned with the world around us.
Yamas (moral discipline, tell us the things we must not do)
• Do not kill
• Do not lie
• Do not steal
• Do not crave for
• Do not possess
Niyamas (observances, encourage us what to do)
• Purify your mind
• Be satisfied and grateful
• Have boundaries
• Be disciplined
• Pray
Asanas (physical postures)
Asanas are the third limbs of yoga. In Sanskrit, asana means ’seat’ or ‘a manner of sitting’. An asana is a body position associated with the yoga practice.
The core of the body is called Uddiyana in yoga which is your lower back and belly area. Sustaining strength and health in this area enhances your life force energy.
Building the strength in the belly is one of the most important achievements in yoga. This area is called the thrown of god.
As we build the strength in the lower part of our bodies the upper body blossoms like a flower. This core strength allows our centre of gravity to lower which promotes alkalinity and calmness. Acidic conditions can lead to getting sick and make you tierd and tense. An acidic diet can also lead you to get tired and can make you nervous and tense.
Pranayama
In Sanskrit, 'prana’ means life force and 'yama' means control. Pranayama is the practice of controlling our breath.
Never under estimate the power of your breath. As children we are not taught to breath which is quite odd as we can’t live without our breath. Just imagine if we were taught to breath deeply into our bellies to allow the rib cage to expand sideways. Have you ever stopped and focused on just your breath, feeling your belly expand and contract. As your belly expands so does your whole being and that in turn brings fresh energy into your body. As you exhale your body contacts and you literally feel smaller & you let go of all the negative and toxic energy in your body.
Pratyahara
A Sanskrit name meaning ‘withdraw of the senses’. It is the fifth limb of yoga. It offers you this heavenly stillness and silence into your otherwise busy life
Dharana
Dharana is translated to ‘concentration of the mind’. It is a Sanskrit word and is the sixth limb of yoga, Dharana helps to focus and quieten the mind on our way to meditation.
Dhyana
Dhyana is a meditation method that can help to experience a deeper awareness of your consciousness. Dhyana is the seventh limb of yoga.
It has some beautiful benefits: helps with anxiety, anger, irritability and helps to release stress and calms down the mind.
Samadhi
Samadhi is the eighth and final limb. In yoga, Samadhi is considered to be the state in which individuals and the universe consciousness unite. It is a blissful form of total meditative absorption