The 8 Limbs of Yoga Explained: A Beginner's Introduction.

 Patanjali Yoga Sutra

As we move towards the journey to define yoga, we must also understand when and how it came into existence. This ancient text is compiled from many different texts from ancient times, and is totally written in Sanskrit. The Patanjali Yoga Sutra is the text containing the practices of yoga and its philosophy. The Patanjali Rishi compiled the Yoga Sutras from the different sources and texts related to the three different  traditions, like Samkhya, the Buddhist tradition and the ancient sources. The concept of Purush and Prakriti is related to Buddhism. The timeline is generally considered from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century BCE. The Yoga Sutras are known for sutras on ashtanga yoga; the eight elements of practice lead to Samadhi.

What are the 8 limbs of yoga?

According to Patanjali’s yoga sutras, there are a total of 8 parts of yoga, which means the fold path leading to liberation. The limbs of yoga are completely explained in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras; the text contains all the information related to yoga and its practices. 

There are a total of eight types of limbs :

यम नियम आसन प्राणायाम प्रत्याहार धारणा ध्यान समाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि ॥ (Yoga Sutra 2.30)

Yama, Niyam, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharma, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

Yama- (Ethical Restraints – How you treat others)

Yama is called the first limb of the Yoga Sutra. In this limb, the practices are generally related to the interactions we make around us. Yoga increases physical strength and flexibility, but to keep the mind calm, we require a lot of patience and practice. So in the first sutra, it is explained about the practices to keep the mind and thoughts in control with moral vows and moral discipline. One can only become a yogi when his or her body and mind are completely balanced from the inner as well as the outer surroundings.

अहिंसासत्यास्तेयब्रह्मचर्यपरिग्रहा यमाः ॥ (Yoga Sutra 2.32)

There are a total of five types of Yama :

• Ahimsa (nonviolence)

• Satya (truthfulness)

• Astya (non-stealing)

• Brahmacharya (right use of energy)

• Aparigraha (non-greed, non-hoarding)

To become a yogi, one must attain eternal peace through the practice of the Yama, where one must be aware that one must follow the path of nonviolence towards the every creation of the universe. One must also have the courage to speak the truth and follow the path of truthfulness. A yogi is also known for the right use of energy, or Brahmacharya, where one must have the ability to control lust. The person following the path of yoga must be free from the desire of greed and hoarding and must be satisfied with the things one owns.

Niyam- (Personal Observances – How you treat yourself)

Niyam is called the second limb of yoga. In Sanskrit, “Ni” stands for “inwards” or “ within”; usually, Niyam refers to the internal duties. The second limb is practised by those who want to move further in the journey of Yoga and its philosophy. When we follow the Niyam on a regular basis and clean our body from the inside, it keeps the body healthy from the internal impurities.

शौचसंतोषतपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः ॥ (Yoga Sutra 2.31)

There are a total of five types of Niyam :

• sauch (cleanliness), 

• santosh(contentment), 

• tapas (discipline or burning desire or, conversely, burning of desire), 

• svadhyaya (self-study or self-reflection, and study of spiritual texts), and 

• isvarapranidahe (surrender to a higher power).  

Asana- (posture)

Asana is the third limb of the Yoga Sutra. It helps you to walk into the path of freedom. Here, Asana refers to the seating position while meditating. Rishi Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutra, gave instructions regarding the asana “sthira sukham asanam”, the posture should be steady and comfortable. Asanas are usually performed during meditation.

The Ancient texts, like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, mentioned different types of Asanas like Padma asana (lotus pose) and Veer asana (warrior pose), which are suitable for meditation. According to this source, sthirasukhasana, or "a posture the practitioner can hold comfortably and motionless," is actually the most crucial posture. Being able to sit comfortably is intended to prevent us from being "pulled" by aches and pains or restlessness as a result of discomfort. If you consistently choose the "difficult" pose presented instead of the one your body can accomplish.

Pranayam - (Breathing Techniques)

Pranayam is the fourth limb of the Yoga Sutra. In Sanskrit, “Prana” refers to energy or the source of life. Pranayama is also beautifully defined as the essence that keeps us alive, or the energy present all around the universe. In yoga, Pranayama is described as a breathing technique while practising yoga and meditation. In this practice, one sits still with each leg crossed and backbone straight while focusing on the rhythm of breathing. As Pranayama can be interpreted in a couple of ways, more like-

Prana-yama means “breath control” or “breath restraint”.

Prana-ayama means “freedom of breath” , “breath expansion”, or “breath liberation”.

The physical act of working on the breathing technique helps us to calm our body and mind. The breathing techniques, like Chandra Bhadana (moon piercing breath), Nadi Shodhan Pranayam ( Alternate Nostril Pranayam) and Kapalabhati (shining skull cleansing breath). Each breathing technique can change our state of existence, but it is up to us whether we see this as "controlling" our emotions or "releasing" us from the habitual condition of our minds. 

Pratyahara- (Withdrawal of the Senses)

Pratyahara is the fifth limb of the Yoga Sutra. In Sanskrit, “Pratya” means to withdraw, and “ahara” refers to anything we take in. Pratyahara changes our mental state so that we become so absorbed in what we're focusing on that the things outside of ourselves no longer bother us, and we can meditate without getting easily distracted, rather than actually losing our senses of hearing, smell, sight, and touch. Experienced practitioners may be able to apply pratyahara to daily life by focusing so intensely on the present moment that sounds and feelings don't easily divert the mind.

Dharana- (Concentration)

Dharana is the sixth limb of the Yoga Sutra. In Ashtanga yoga, it is described as binding the mind to a specific spot or object. Dharana and pratyahara are essential parts of the same aspect and are connected to the previous two limbs. We must turn off our senses in order to concentrate entirely on the object of our attention to keep our focus still on the goal of reaching our higher self . We need to pay close attention and focus in order to engage our senses. Dharana activities include visualisation, candle gazing, and focusing on the breath. Many of us reach this consciousness that  we feel that we are entering the position of Shunya (zero)or entering  into the final state of "meditating." 

देशबन्धः चित्तस्य धारणा ॥ Yoga Sutras (Vibhuti Pada, 3.1)

"Binding the mind (chitta) to a specific place, object, or point (desha-bandhah) is Dharana (concentration)".

Dhyana- (Meditation)

Dhyana is the seventh limb of the Yoga Sutra. It is the state where body and mind connect and individuals dive into the deep state of concentration that even the flow of time feels slow. Meditation is said to be the way or a path to connect from ‘Parmathaman” through concentrating on the light created between our forehead. We are truly meditating when we are completely immersed in the subject of our meditation. All of the things we might learn in class are just methods to help us relax, concentrate, and focus. Actually, meditation is not something we can 'do' rather, it is a natural progression of something that occurs as a result of everything else. 

Samadhi (Absorption / Enlightenment)

Samadhi is the eighth and final stage of the Yoga Sutra. Samadhi is the highest level of peaceful consciousness, where the practitioner, the meditation, and the object of meditation all become one. Often referred to as bliss or enlightenment, it is a condition of deep, effortless absorption or oneness that transcends the ego and self-awareness. 

When we split the word in half, we find that this last stage consists of two words "dhi," which means "to see," and "sama," which means "same" or "equal." It's called realisation for a reason. The reason for this is that attaining Samadhi is about recognising the life that is right in front of us, not about running away, floating away, or being delighted. Bliss is the capacity to "see equally" and without mental chaos, free from the conditioning of our experience by likes, dislikes, or habits, and free from the desire to judge or become attached to any particular element.

(तत्र प्रत्ययैकतानता ध्यानम्)

"An uninterrupted flow of concentration" or "continuous, unbroken flow of knowledge of the object". 

(Yoga Sutra 3.2 )

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