Greetings Yogis and
Yoginis,
For the next few weeks in class we will be reviewing the Eight Limbs of Yoga.
For the next few weeks in class we will be reviewing the Eight Limbs of Yoga.
Eight Limbs of Yoga
Described in the
second chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs of Yoga are set
fourth as the means, or the path towards the “quest of the soul.” The eight limbs are as follows:
Yama – commitment to
universal moral commandments
Niyama – self-purification
through discipline
Asana – posture
Pranayama – rhythmic
control of the breath
Pratyahara –
withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses and
exterior objects
Dharana –
concentration
Dhyana – meditation
Samadhi – a state of
super-consciousness
Yama and Niyama
control the yogini’s passions and emotions and keep her in harmony with others. Asanas keep the body healthy and strong and
in harmony with nature. Finally, the
yogini becomes free of body consciousness.
She conquers the body
and renders it a fit vehicle for the soul.
These three limbs represent bahiranga sadhana, the outward quests. These limbs are also considered the physical
pursuits.
The next two stages,
Pranayama and Pratyahara, teach the aspirant to regulate the breathing, and thereby
control the mind. This helps to free the
senses from the thralldom of the objects of desire. These two limbs represent the antaranga
sadhana, the inner quests. These limbs
are also
considered the
mental pursuits.
Dharana , Dhyana, and
Samadhi take the yogini into the innermost recesses of her soul. The yogini does not look heavenward to find
God. She knows that God is within, being
known as the Antaratma, the Inner Self. The
last three stages keep the yogini in harmony with herself and her maker. These three limbs are called antaratma
sadhana, the quest of the soul. These
limbs are also considered the spiritual pursuits.
The five Yamas are
as follows:
-Ahimsa, non-violence
-Satya, honesty and
truthfulness
-Asteya, non-stealing
-Brahmacharya, continence
(responsibility), moderation and dedication to the understanding of Divinity
-Aparigraha, non-covetousness
The five Niyamas are
as follows:
-Saucha, purity
internally and externally
-Santosa, contentment,
reducing desires, becoming cheerful and creating balance of mind
-Tapas, discipline
in the mind and body and directing the mind towards the self within
-Svadhyaya, study the source of our actions, learn and
search for truth and self-realization
-Isvara Pranidhana, surrendering
to God and the powers that be and abiding to the greater will
References: Light on Yoga, Light on the Yoga Sutras, and
The Tree of Yoga all by BKS Iyengar (paraphrased)
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal,
and Vancouver Washington
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