The practice of yoga entails more than merely physical yoga postures.
Let’s look at all eight limbs of yoga and how we can incorporate them into our life.
Sage Patanjali, a philosopher and physician living in India about several hundred years BC, is said to have compiled 196 brief sentences outlining the essence of yoga philosophy. This text is called ‘The Yoga Sutras’ by Patanjali. Sutra literally means ‘thread’. The Yoga Sutras are one of the most remarkable works of spiritual literature in the world. Patanjali is affectionately known as the father of yoga.
The second sutra 1.2, says: “Yoga Chitta Vritti nirodah”, meaning yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of our mind. In other words, we practice yoga to achieve a steady and clear mind. When the mind is steady and focused then inner awareness can grow, and prana (life force) can flow freely. This will give us vitality, health & longevity.
The Yoga Sutras explain the 8-fold path to live a meaningful and purposeful life.
1 Yamas 5 moral guidelines & ethical principles on how to live within society
2 Niyamas 5 moral guidelines on how to live within ourselves
3 Asana physical yoga postures
4 Pranayama breath control, breath awareness
5 Pratyahara turning the senses inward, or withdrawal of the senses
6 Dharana concentration, single pointed focus
7 Dhyana meditation, sustained focus
8 Samadhi enlightenment, pure bliss, oneness, peace, state of absorption
1 Yamas – 5 moral guidelines on how to live within society
Ahimsa – non-violence
In yoga practice this means observing, respecting & responding to your body’s limitations and physical sensations. Allowing for a physical sensation but not pain. Cultivating the balance between effort and ease. Becoming aware of one’s comfort zone, slowly increasing this range of comfort in a safe and healthy way, using the breath. Off the mat it will be the same, if we constantly push too hard against our physical, mental and emotional body and wellbeing, we are risking becoming depleted of energy and dis-ease sets in. Yet if we stay inside our comfort zone, there will be no growth. Ahimsa also relates to non-violence in our spoken word, neither towards us nor others.
Satya – truthfulness (in thought and action)
In yoga practice this means honouring what is going on in our body physically, for example to not practice strong twists or inversions during first day of menstruation, to avoid certain poses with certain medical conditions, ie inversions with non-medicated high blood pressure, or modify our practice during pregnancy. Also to practice within our limitations of current body, to let go of external expectations. Satya also teaches us to choose our words wisely, to not offend, demean or hurt others with our language. At the same time, speaking our truth in a kind way. Honest communication is essential. How often have we said ‘yes’, when we really felt a ‘no’ would have been closer to our heart, and our truth.
Asteya – non-stealing, free from possessiveness and envy
Honesty, non-envy, staying in line with our own values is at the essence of asteya. It means that we will stay honest to our own style of yoga, rather than mould ourselves into a style, pose or lineage that does not fully support our values. It is also true for me as a teacher. I will only pass on what supports me and my values. On the mat it is also important to not compare ourselves to others. We would not ask a banana to look more like a strawberry. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. The same is true for our off-the-mat lives. Asteya also talks about time. There is enough time. Let’s allow ourselves to slow down, on & off the mat, and be totally present. Otherwise, we are stealing from ourselves if we are not in the present moment if the mind races ahead or if we are getting caught up in our thoughts and emotions. So, let’s simply observe any sensations, thoughts and emotions and let’s be present with them.
Brahmacharya – practice of moderation and balance in all things
Traditionally, Brahmacharya is translated into celibacy. Well, more modern translations simply state the need to be clear about our sexuality and our needs and feelings at any moment. In practice this means to embrace & practice all eight limbs of yoga, as well as to find balance between favourite and not so favourite poses in our practice and our teachings. Balance of flowing, powerful, relaxing, and restorative yoga asana needs to be sought. This balance will be translated into your life off the mat.
Aparigraha – non-hoarding, non-attachment, generosity
This means to adopt an attitude of generosity, of only taking what we need. It supports the idea of letting go of unnecessary possessions, beliefs, and negative experiences. In our practice on the mat it asks us to give it all we have got, to do our best, to be totally present in every moment of our practice and then let go – physically, mentally and emotionally. Surrendering to the present moment. Enjoying our practice for what it is and not be attached to the outcome. It is a practice after all. And it is about the journey, not the destination. This attitude will filter through to your life and overtime eradicate fear, envy, and perfectionism.
2 Niyamas – 5 guidelines on how to live within ourselves
Saucha – cleanliness of mind, body, heart & environment
It is obvious that we need to keep our body, our mats and our yoga studio clean and tidy. It is further suggested to treat one’s mat as a temple and as energetically one’s own, so no stepping on someone else’s mat while walking around. Also, leaving shoes outside the yoga room or taking them off upon entering, as well as putting props away after class. It also encourages no ill-feelings & thoughts toward fellow yogis, or students. In general, we practice yoga to purify our thoughts, emotions, and our diet. Let this spill over into our life off the mat.
Santosha – contentment
Contentment in asana practice means celebrating and being happy with what we can do with our bodies, being content with what we can do rather than longing for the next pose, a further stretch or a higher lift etc. This is often hard to achieve as we oftentimes arrive on the mat with a mentality of further, farther, better. Let’s simply enjoy and celebrate what we have and what we can do. Appreciate ourselves, our efforts, our life. Let’s be grateful for and content with the present moment.
Tapas – self discipline, inner fire, passion
Tapas relates to finding consistency in striving towards our goals. In yoga practice this means showing up on our mat even if we don’t feel like it. It means getting on our mat, our meditation cushion and doing our practice. Showing up regardless of how we feel and then tailor the practice to our current energy level, level of injury and capability. It does not mean pushing regardless. We are moving in co-operation with our body, not against it. It also means incorporating poses into our practice that we dislike, avoid or find difficult. Tapas off the mat will allow us to have that ‘inner fire’ and resilience to face difficult situations and to have the strength to NOT listen to any destructive or self-critical voices in our mind or society. We will apply the same tapas to our work, parenting, relationships and life in general.
Svadhyaya – self-study
The study of oneself, not only study of an academic nature, but the study and observance of our internal dialog, our thoughts, our re-actions, our tendencies, our strengths and weaknesses, our patterns and our superpowers. So we can then use our discernment to action change if we feel the need to, both, on and off the mat. This niyama also suggests studying not only asana, but philosophy of yoga and all other limbs of yoga too.
Isvara-Pranidhana – surrender (to a higher force)
This means to completely trust and believe in something higher than ourselves. It is like the baby having complete trust in the mother. In essence this means to do the best we can, then let go of & surrender the attachment to the outcome. Some say surrender to the universe. Or surrender to your higher self, use the language that’s useful to you. This is not passive, nor is it easy. It is an active task to surrender our ego.
In our asana practice this means to give ourselves whole-heartedly, to be totally present, to surrender to the moment – rather than ask what yoga can do for me. Surrender and take rest, surrender and give yourself fully to the pose. Like finding comfort within discomfort. Surrender to the ultimate reality can often be the hardest of all the Niyamas to follow. This active surrender is a massive life skill and deserves ongoing practice.
3 Asana
This is what we “commonly” view as Yoga, the physical aspect of this holistic science. Asana means ‘comfortable seat’. Patanjali says asana needs to be practiced within effort and ease. Yoga postures are ultimately practiced to strengthen the body, and make it more supple, to able to sit in meditation for long periods of time. In our modern world though, this is often why we come to yoga in the first place. And that is absolutely fine. It is my aim though, to show you all that is there, to widen your perspective and understanding what it means to practice “yoga”.
4 Pranayama – regulation of breath & prana, mindful breathing
Through pranayama we will direct our energy inward. The breath is the tool to connect body with mind. As we can regulate our breath we can regulate and preserve our prana in the body. Physical strength through asana and mastering breath control via pranayama will make us fit for sensory withdrawal and then concentration and meditation. In asana practice the focus on the breath will draw our senses inward, will allow us to come into the present moment and to become aware of and use the full capacity of our lungs. Pranayama teaches us the proper rhythmic patterns of slow, deep breathing. This purifies and removes distractions from the mind, making it easier to concentrate and meditate. It also allows for detoxification to happen. In all our classes pranayama, meditation, and physical yoga asana have a place.
5 Pratyahara – sensory withdrawal, turning inward
Pratyahara is our conscious effort to withdraw from external stimulation. Ultimately, the practice of pratyahara – in fact, all the practices of yoga, enable us to choose our responses instead of merely reacting. We can choose to dance with any stimulus that comes our way, or we can choose to step back and not respond to that stimulus. The variable is not what’s around us, but how we choose to react. Practicing pratyahara doesn’t mean running away from stimulation (which is basically impossible). Rather, remaining in the middle of a stimulating environment and consciously not react. Another way to practice pratyahara is to pay attention to our need to seek out stimulation as an escape. This type of withdrawal from the world is not pratyahara. In asana practice it is about staying present, focusing on the pose, feeling the pose, not thinking about the pose or whether we shall come out of it, or if we are doing it right, simply being and feeling breath & pose. Pratyahara leads to a profound state of relaxation, inner awareness, and stability. In life this is a most useful skill to starve your distractions and get the work done that needs to be done on a daily basis. It also lets us stay in our lane and on our path.
When the body is strong through asana, the lungs fit & healthy from pranayama, and the senses are withdrawn, the yogi can move into internal stillness and inquiry.
6 Dharana – concentration, single-pointed focus
Dharana means concentration or single pointed focus. This can be achieved by either gazing into an object like a candle flame or observing our breath. It will eventually lead to un-interrupted flow of concentration, which we call Meditation. Dharana can be found off the mat when one is completely engaged, present and focused on an activity or object. This focus clears the inner conflicts that we often experience, on & off the mat.
7 Dhyana – Meditation
Dhyana or meditation relates to uninterrupted, one-directional flow of energy where we totally immerse in the flow of energy rather than the object of meditation. The idea of space, time and limitations disappears.
8 Samadhi – enlightenment, absolute liberation, bliss,
“chitta vritti nirodah”
Samadhi relates to the total unity of mind and body, the dissolve of all suffering and limitations. This will eventuate if we continue to practice all 8 limbs of yoga, not merely just asana. It will liberate us from the bond to the material body.
Patanjali says that we can become whole and totally present in any moment of our life. This state of transcendence brings about profound spiritual awakening and liberation. Happy Bliss!
My intention is for you to understand that what we call yoga is often simply the physical part, and whilst important, there is so much more gained from a holistic yoga practice.
I endeavour to incorporate all 8 limbs into any group of 1-1 yoga practice and show you and let you embody how your yoga practice with me on the mat is a prime coaching tool to enhance your life and give you a tool and practice to navigate life in a more joyful, calm, and aligned way with yourself.
I trust you have enjoyed this mini session on yoga philosophy. If you have any questions of comments, be sure to let me know.
Thank you for being here.
See you on the mat.