The 8 Limbs of Yoga

The Path to Liberation

The word 'Yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Yuj', meaning 'to join' or 'to yoke' or 'to unite'. As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, man & nature.

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, and whilst many different interpretations and styles have been developed, most tend to agree that the ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve liberation from suffering. The majority of schools and traditions of yoga focus on bringing together body, mind and breath as a means of altering energy or shifting consciousness.

Patanjali was a Hindu author, mystic and philosopher who wrote the classical text on yoga - the Yoga Sutras. It provides the traditional foundation of yoga, in which he outlines an eightfold path of the practice.

Each of the Eight Limbs offers a means of living with more integrity, self-discipline, respect for nature and connection with the spiritual aspects of life. They act as guidelines on how to live a healthy, meaningful and purposeful life.

1. YAMAS
Five universal, ethical and moral principles to live by:
- Ahimsa | Nonviolence
- Satya | Truthfulness
- Asteya | Non-stealing
- Brahmacharya | Right use of energy
- Aparigraha | Non-attachment

2.NIYAMAS
Five individual standards to live by:
- Saucha | Purity
- Santosha | Contentment
- Tapas | Self-discipline
- Svadhyaya | Study of self
- Ishvarapranidhana | Surrender to a higher power

3.ASANA
The practice of physical postures and movements designed to strengthen the body and prepare it for meditation 

4.PRANAYAMA
Pranayama is breath control, techniques for regulating the breath to control the body's vital energy

5. PRATYAHARA
Pratyahara is sense withdrawal, the practice of turning the senses inward to reduce distractions and develop focus

6. DHARANA
Dharana means concentration, deeply focusing the mind on a single point or object

7.DHYANA
Dhyana means meditation - A sustained state of deep, focused absorption, beyond any distractions. We can improve our chances of experiencing meditation by using pranayama, pratyahara and dharana in unison

8.SAMADHI
Samadhi is enlightenment, the ultimate state of blissful union, achieved through deep meditation

Youtube Playlist on the 8 Limbs of Yoga

“The journey of the eight limbs of yoga is meant to take us from doing-ness to being-ness.

Once we have mastered all the former steps in the sutras, we are able to accomplish the most important facet of life that propels our spiritual journey forward: the ability to stay in the present moment indefinitely.”