Ask Yogi: Looking at our Yoga Roots (2)

Ask Yogi:  Looking at our Yoga Roots (2)

What are the Eight Limbs of Yoga?

Yoga is the union between body, mind and spirit. Its objective is to use the breath and body to create awareness of the self as connected to the whole of creation. In short it is about creating balance and equanimity so as to live in peace and health with the world and people around us. Yoga was developed in India thousands of years ago and the foundations of yoga philosophy were recorded in The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (200 AD).  Sutra means “thread”, and Patanjali’s Sutras are a set of aphorisms, or short, concise, easily-remembered set of instructions for the eight-limbed path that forms the structural framework for yoga practice.

The eight limbs of Yoga are: Yama (respect for others and how we deal with people around us), Niyama (respect for self, how we relate to ourselves inwardly), Asana (posture), Pranayama (science of breath control), Pratyahara (control of the senses), Dharana (concentration and inner perceptual awareness), Dhyana (meditation on the divine), Samadhi (total absorption or union with the divine). 

Each limb builds on the previous one, and there is a progression, with regular practice, from one limb to the next.  That said, it is not necessary (or even possible) to master the first limb of Yoga before attempting to practice the other limbs. As mentioned in last month’s column, in Western Society, “Asana” (posture-focused Yoga) tends to be the one of the eight limbs of Yoga that we do the most.  A focus on Asana can lead to good physical fitness and reduction of stress levels, and can open the gateway for exploration of the other seven limbs of Yoga.  Over-emphasis of Asana can lead to neglect of the other limbs (i.e. breathing, meditation and the spirit), feeding the ego and material desires, and creating imbalances in life; a person “stuck” on Asana can become “stuck” in life in general.

For many of us, simply doing the Asanas while remembering to breathe is a serious challenge.  One of the many benefits of the Hatha Yoga system we practice at HBHY is the combined – and sustained - focus on Asana and the breath.  A regular Asana practice will help you cultivate the other six limbs- whether you like it or not!  Remember, regardless of where you are in your practice, just showing up to Yoga class (and life’s daily challenges) and remembering to breathe is 90% of the work!