Perhaps the name Patanjali has been mentioned to you before in class? Patanjali is the man responsible for compiling all the written scriptures of Yoga down in one book, not to be mistaken for the man who CREATED the content. The author of the Yoga Sutras = (authoritative text on yoga)
If you’ve heard the term Eight path fold of Ashtanga Yoga or Eight limbs of Yoga or have curiosity then listen up, THIS one is for you!
Going more in-depth about what those limbs/paths mean or represent. The majority of us are just familiar with limb three ASANA and limb four PRANAYAMA.
But let’s go even more in depth about the other limbs, especially if you’re someone looking to deepen your practice and gain even more from your practice BEYOND just the physical practice.
These eight steps basically as guidelines on how to live a meaningful & purposeful life. They serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline; they direct attention towards one’s health, and they help us to acknowledge spiritual aspects of our nature.
The first limb: Yamas
The second limb: Niyamas
The third limb: Asanas
The fourth limb: Pranayama
The fifth limb: Pratyahara
The sixth limb: Dharana
The seventh limb: Dhyana
The eighth limb: Samadhi
Y A M A S
Yama is the moral restraint that works on our thought, speech, and action. Yama deals with one’s ethical standards and sense of INTEGRITY, focusing on our behavior and how we conduct ourselves in life. These are universal practices that relate best to what we know as the golden rule. In short Ethical values.
The five YAMA views are:
1. AHIMSA: non- violence
2. SATYA: truthfulness
3. ASTEYA: non-stealing
4. Brahmacharya: control of the senses
5. Aparigrapha: non-possessiveness
Where does your mind initially go when you read non-violence?
Do you think of non-violence to others? animals? or yourself? Well, Ahimsa has directed non-violence for all the above. Almost every time you show up to your mat you’re given the opportunity to practice Ahimsa.
Not sure what I’m talking about? Obviously, no one is throwing punches in the studio, at least we hope not.
But what about towards ourselves? How many times have you been in class, the teacher is instructing to take the full bind? As that teacher should, giving cues for practitioners that HAVE the capability to take the full bind. Let’s say we see others around going for the full bind, instead of actually presenting ourselves with the question is this full bind right for my body? today? At this moment?
Leading us right into the second limb,
SATYA, truthfulness, are you being honest with yourself and where you’re at whether it be on your mat and how deeply you should go into a posture or in your everyday life OFF your mat.
Third Yama ASTEYA, non-stealing.
The fourth being BRAHMACHARYA control or withdrawal of the senses.
Final Yama, APARIGRAHA, non-possessiveness
The second limb leads us to the N I Y A M A S
Which is the role of law, self-discipline in action. Developing your own personal meditation practices or making a habit of taking contemplative walks alone are all examples of Niyama in practice.
IN SHORT;
Qualities to nourish.
The five NIYAMAS are:
SAUCHA, purity or cleanliness, internal, external.
Second; SANTOSHA, contentment.
Third TAPAS, spiritual austerities.
Fourth being SVADHYAYA, the study of spiritual writings.
Fifth, ISHWARA PRANIDHANA surrender to God’s will.
Stay tuned for future articles going more in-depth about Yamas, and Niyamas.
Without overloading your mind with TOO much philosophy in one cup of tea today, moving forward,
The third limb of the eight path fold is ASANA.
In English Asana means posture/ movements; a calm firm steady stance in relation to life.
In the Yogic view, the body is a temple of prana, (lifeforce/vital principle) the care of which is an important stage of our spiritual growth. Through the practice of Asana, we develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate, both of which are necessary for meditation.
PRANAYAMA is the fourth limb.
Breathing techniques create the ability to channel and direct breath and life energy (prana.)
Generally translated as “expansion of breath, this fourth stage consists of techniques designed to gain mastery over the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, mind, and emotions. As implied by the literal translation of pranayama, “life force extension” yogis believe that it not only rejuvenates the body but actually EXTENDS life itself. You can practice pranayama isolated or integrate pranayama during your asana practice.
These first four stages of Patanjali’s’ Ashtanga yoga concentrate on; refining our personalities, gaining mastery over the body, and developing an energetic awareness of ourselves all of which prepares us for the second half of the ladder. Which, deals with the senses, the mind, and attaining a higher state of consciousness.
Now just to end things here for today… and in the next article, I’ll explain the final four stages of the eight path fold followed by the articles going more in-depth about Yamas and Niyamas and how you can practice applying those to your daily practice and daily life.
If you have any questions regarding this article feel free to leave a comment or contact Laken Badley directly!
Namaste Yogis
Author: Laken Badley