Overview
Yoga means “union” or “wholeness”, practice Yoga gives us a meaningful and purposeful life, which is more transformational than a 60-minute yoga class once or twice a week. I admit that all stretching, balancing, strengthening is beneficial to a healthier life; nonetheless, it is just one branch of a century-old tree named yoga. Understanding the eightfold path in Yoga, we can navigate ourselves along a spiritual way towards freedom or self-realization.
Sutra 2.28 | “By practicing the limbs of yoga, impurity is destroyed and the radiance of jnana (wisdom) leads to Viveka (discernment)”
Sutra 2.29 | “The eight limbs of yoga are: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi”
What is Ashtanga or eight limbs or eightfold path of yoga (ashta = eight, anga = limb)
In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, the eightfold path is called ashtanga, which means “eight limbs” of yoga. These principles offer us a guideline for a meaningful and purposeful life, in another word, they serve as the navigation towards ethical standards and self-discipline to attain self-awareness, enlightenment, or liberation, which is called moksha. They also help us to live in a spiritual aspect of our lives, which is usually neglected in modern society, unlike physical, mental, and emotional ones. Likewise, the eightfold path will connect us to the true Self, which is also known as “ultimate self” or atman.
Source: Brett Larkin Yoga
1. Yama (self-restraint, moral disciplines, moral vows)
Yama is the first limb of ashtanga. Being a universal practice, it mentions human ethical standards, emphasizing how we conduct our thought, attitude, behavior properly in our life, in interaction with other people. Practice yoga is not only limited to the mat but also when we leave class, come back to our daily life. It means that we are always being mindful of each action, thus, we cultivate our self-awareness of every present moment.
The five Yamas are:
- Ahimsa: non-violence or non-harming in thought, word, and deed. We do everything with love and compassion
- Satya: truthfulness or honesty in thought, word, and actions. Keep silence if the words probably harm others
- Asteya: non-stealing in material or non-material ways (i.e., intellectual property such as ideas or images)
- Brahmacharya: continence or the right use of energy, avoid excess or overindulgence
- Aparigraha: non-covetousness, non-possession, non-greed or non-hoarding because we have already had what we need
2. Niyama (observance, positive duties)
The second limb, Niyama, deals with the self-discipline and right observances. The prefix “ni” is a Sanskrit verb that means “inward” or “within”. Niyama is usually practiced by those who desire to go further along the Yogic enlightenment path. The more we dig deeper, the further we might realize the spiritual aspects within ourselves.
The five niyamas are:
- Saucha: cleanliness or purification, which is applied to body and mind.
- Samtosa: contentment or keep us positive and happy at the present moment. Practice gratitude is one of the best ways to practice samtosa.
- Tapas: heat; spiritual austerities, or discipline
- Svadhyaya: the study of the sacred scriptures and one's self or self-reflection. In another word, learn from our mistakes
- Isvara pranidhana: surrender to a higher being or God, or keeping the faith, devotion in your heart
NOTE: Utilize Yama and Niyama in the way that works best for your personal practice.
3. Asana (physical posture/ alignment)
Sutra 2.46 | “The posture (asana) for Yoga meditation should be steady, stable, and comfortable”
Sutra 2.47 | “The means of perfecting the posture is that of relaxing or loosening of effort and allowing attention to merge with endlessness, or the infinite”
Through Asana, the third limb, we grow the physical aspect of our body, which is believed as a temple of the spirit. The intertwined correlation between mind and body has been proven in several scientific studies, the care of our body leads to the further stages of our spiritual development. With the practice of asana, the self-discipline and concentration will be developed, consequently, these qualities create a foundation for meditation practice, which is the higher limb in Yoga. According to such an explanation about Asana, asana refers to “seat” that is the foundation for meditation practice, not an impressive handstand or pose of flexibility. In Yoga Sutra, asana should be practiced steadily and comfortably, in compliance with the alignment instruction “sthira sukham asanam”, regardless of any aches or pains of the body.
4. Pranayama (or regulation of breath)
Sutra 2.49 | “Once that perfected posture has been achieved, the slowing or braking of the force behind, and of unregulated movement of inhalation and exhalation is called breath control and expansion of prana (pranayama), which leads to the absence of the awareness of both”
Prana means “life force” or “vital energy” that exists in the universe around us and keeps us alive. Prana also refers to the breath, which is the essence of our body and mind’s operation; breath is an indicator of our physical and mental health. Pranayama can be translated as “breath control”, “breath liberation” or “life force regulation”, which is the practice of bringing the breath to our lungs to increase its capacity. Practice pranayama will give us many benefits, particularly improving concentration, health, creativity, and compassion. My favorite pranayama exercise is Ujjayi breath, it helps me calm my mind, slow my heart rate, and relieve muscle tension.
5. Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
Sutra 2.54 | “When the mental organs of senses and actions (indriyas) cease to be engaged with the corresponding objects in their mental realm and assimilate or turn back into the mind-field from which they arose, this is called pratyahara”
Sutra 2.55 | “Through that turning inward of the organs of senses and actions (indriyas) also comes a supreme ability, controllability, or mastery over those senses inclining to go outward towards their objects”
Pratya means “withdraw” and ahara refers to anything we take into our body, such as smell, sound, and sights. With Pratyahara practice, we quiet our senses enough to focus on the inside, we do not longer allow ourselves to be distracted by the external environment or the internal noise. These distractions might be a big stone that keeps us attaining a level of introspection for the deeper meditation. As the practice grows, there will be an increasing ability for us to see things as they are or in an objective way, not as we are or in a subjective way.
6. Dharana (focused concentration)
Sutra 3.1 | “Concentration (Dharana) is the process of holding or fixing the attention of mind onto one object or place, and is the sixth of the eight rungs”
Dha refers to “holding or maintaining” and Ana means “other” or “something else”. Dharana or “focused concentration” is associated with the fifth limb, which is pratyahara; in other words, pratyahara is the foundation to practice Dharana. Dharana is the practice of further intense concentration, in which we focus on the point of the flame of candle or picture of deity. To completely focus on the objects, the five senses must be withdrawn so that all attention will be turning to one point.
7. Dhyana (meditation)
Sutra 3.2 | “The repeated continuation, or uninterrupted stream of that one point of focus is called absorption in meditation (dhyana), and is the seventh of the eight steps”
The seventh limb, meditation, means “meditative absorption” when we are entirely meditating without focus. Meditation in yoga is the result of the first six limbs, which required the inexorable practice. Meditation is awareness without judgment or attachment
8. Samadhi (enlightenment or bliss)
Sutra 3.3 | “When only the essence of that object, place, or point shines forth in the mind, as if devoid even of its form, that state of deep absorption is called deep concentration or samadhi, which is the eighth rung”
Samadhi is the final step in the eightfold path of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Samadhi means “enlightenment” or “bliss” or “realization” when we see the world in its natural way or equally without judgment, disturbance, or attachment from our mind. There will be no thoughts, emotions, likes, or dislikes existing in the state of samadhi. When we truly experience Samadhi, we attain moksha that is the permanent state of liberation or freedom, “all things are one”
Sources:
Berman, Felise. “The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, Patanjali Yoga Sutras”. https://www.shivashantiyoga.com/the-eight-limbs-astanga-yoga-patanjali-yoga-sutra/
Brett Larkin Yoga. “Understanding the Eight Limbs of Yoga: The Surprising Truth About Yoga”. 28 February. 2019. https://www.brettlarkin.com/eight-limbs-of-yoga-patanjali/
Carrico, Mara. ”Get to Know the Eight Limbs of Yoga”. Yoga Journal. 10 July. 2017. https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/the-eight-limbs
Gaia. ”The Eight Limbs of Yoga Explained”. https://www.gaia.com/article/the-8-limbs-of-yoga-explained
Newlyn, Emma. “The Eight Limbs of Yoga Explained”. Ekhart Yoga. https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/philosophy/the-8-limbs-of-yoga-explained
Om Matters. “Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga Guide”. https://www.om-matters.com/pages/the-yoga-sutras-the-8-limbs-of-ashtanga-yoga
Shakti Warrior. “Yoga Philosophy Series – The Eight Limbs of Yoga”. 06 October. 2019. https://shaktiwarriorshop.com/blogs/news/yoga-philosophy-series-the-eight-limbs-of-yoga?gclid=CjwKCAjwqJ_1BRBZEiwAv73uwN9YcrSwtvP7cHFchCs5XVw83kCZxdUPSzry37f8w6sg_erjL8gWWBoCu54QAvD_BwE
Tomlinson, Kirsty. “Pratyahara – reversing the flow”. Ekhart Yoga. https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/practice/pratyahara-reversing-the-flow
Vinyasa Yoga School. “Introduction to Patanjali’s Eightfold Path”. https://vinyasayogatraining.com/resources/introduction-to-patanjalis-eightfold-path
Yoga, Ashtanga. "THE YOGA SUTRA OF PATANJALI." Trans. and commentary by Swami Satchidananda. Pomfret Center, Conn.: Integral Yoga Publications (1978).
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