The Eight Limbs of Yoga

The yoga sutra (yoga texts) explains the path of yoga as the eight limbs of yoga, they are also known collectively as astanga. I explain each of the eight limbs of yoga below.

1. Asana

Asana is the Sanskrit word for posture. The yoga sutra explains that the asana should have qualities of sthira (steadiness and alertness) and sukha (remain comfortable), so we should be able to hold the yoga asana steady and comfortably for a period of time, otherwise if this is difficult and means we cannot breath freely in the pose, then we are not practicing yoga properly. We should practice poses that feel right in our body and nothing should be painful. We need the mind, body and breath to be connected in the poses and we link movement with breath.

With practice our yoga asana practice progresses. We come stronger and are able to practice more comfortably and we can progress to other poses. Change is gradual so we need patience.

2. Pranayama

Pranayama is the breathwork practice in yoga. Prana is something that flows continuously inside of us, energising us and keeping us alive. Without prana there is no life. If we are troubled, restless, lacking in motivation or suffering from illness then this would mean there is too much prana outside the body rather than inside. When we are feeling well and content, there is more prana in the body. Prana needs to be able to flow freely through the body so we need to remove blockages in the body that stop it being able to flow, and avoid prana being dispersed beyond the body.

In yoga we link mind and breath. Pranayama practice is about conscious breathing, and focusing our attention on the breath to encourage prana to flow freely.

3. Yamas

According to yoga teachings, behaviours we should adopt in our daily lives are below.

• Ahimsa – non-violence, kindness, compassion

• Satya – Truthfulness, no lies. If speaking the truth has negative consequences for others however, it might be best to say nothing.

• Asteya – Do not steal or take advantage.

• Brahmacarya – Mostly used in relation in the sense of abstinence, in relation to sexual activity. A movement towards essential and in a truthful relationship.

• Aparigraha – Only taking what is necessary and not taking advantage of the situation.

4. Niyamas

Attitudes we should aim to adopt towards ourselves are below:

• Sauca – cleanliness both inner and outer. Inner cleanliness refers to health and caring for ourselves. The practice of asana and pranayama promotes inner cleansing.

• Samtosa – Being content and being able to accept things that happen that is out of our control.

• Tapas – keeping the body fit, healthy and cleansing the body. This can be done through asana, pranayama and eating healthy, and not eating if not hungry.

• Svadhyaya – self reflection

• Isvarapranidhana – To do your best but accept there is a higher power.

5. Pratyahara

Pratyahara relates to withdrawal of the senses. The mind will then be absorbed in what it is focused on that it is not distracted by other objects and stimuli around. For example this happens in meditation where we are focused on the mind and can switch off from everything around us. Being able to withdraw from the senses can be useful and healthy because the senses can make us crave things that are not good for us.

6. Dharana

Dharana is being able to focus the attention in one direction, and avoid distraction. The yoga sutra suggests the practice of asana and pranayama as preparation for dharana because these can help clear the mind to allow focus and concentration.

7. Dhyana

Once dharana has allowed focus, dhyana is the connection to that object – perception and communication.

8. Samadhi

Once we are connected and focused in something we achieve the state of samadhi where we are completely at one with it.