Yoga's Eight Limbed Path

Yoga is an infinitely vast science of body and mind, originating in India over 5000 years ago. Rooted in philosophy and spirituality, yoga can bring us to greater realms of calm and balance, even in today's hectic world. And while rooted in spirituality, common themes prevail in all religions and yoga can be studied and applied to life regardless of religious beliefs.

The study of yoga is so wide, its contents could not be covered in a lifetime. However, applying pieces of original yogic philosophy can provide practitioners with a more healthful life. Hatha yoga, one of the many yogic paths, simply refers to the physical aspects of a yoga practice. Hatha yoga can be seen as the top of tree, while the many styles of yoga are branches on that tree. Styles of yoga is another article for another time. Look for it soon.

Patanjali, a great yogi and author of the Yoga Sutras prescribed the Eight Limbs of Yoga as a path to quiet the mind and merge with one's higher self. Many yogis of all traditions have and will study the 8 Limbs as a way to more deeply understand themselves and the yogic path. Ashtanga Yoga, one style of many, refers to the 8 Limbs regularly and asks practitioners to follow them explicitly.

So what are these eight limbs on the yogic path?

1. Yamas. Social behaviors and adherences. There are five yamas: non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, appropriate sexual behavior and non-greed. Each have Sanskrit names and are more fully explained in this article.

2. Niyamas. Personal disciplines. There are also five niyamas: self purification, contentment, self-discipline, self study and surrender to the higher self. Learn more about the niyamas in the article, What Does it Mean to Live Your Yoga.

3. Asana. These are the physical yoga poses done in a Hatha Yoga class. If you've ever played yoga on the Wii, you've performed a variety of asanas. Go to Yoga Journal to view a variety of asanas. Try some out today.

4. Pranayama. Prana is our breath and our life force. It is the thread that ties all of us and the Universe together. Pranayama is simply directing the breath in a yoga practice and otherwise. Pranayama can be practiced anytime and anywhere. It is a useful tool for quieting the mind.

5. Pratyhara. Sense withdrawal. As Americans we are conditioned to live in - and react to - our physical world. We get upset, cause ourselves more stress than necessary. Pratyhara begins the first stages of meditation by turning the senses inward and noticing what is happening within, instead of around us.

6. Dharana. Single pointed concentration. After practicing Pratyhara, yoga practitioners begin to move more deeply into a meditative state. Dharana is the next phase of turning the senses inward.

7. Dhyana. Meditation. Many people look at meditation as a big scary thing. In fact, it can be, but of greater importance is to simply begin. Thoughts happen. Things come up. The point of meditation is to observe, to be aware. Pratyhara and Dharana are the first two stages of a deeper meditation practice known as Dhyana.

8. Samadhi. The final stage on the eight limbed path is sometimes also referred to as bliss or pure joy. Samadhi is the state of yoga in which Ultimate Truth is experienced. Everything is okay exactly as it is. Only our minds say this isn't so.

Patanjali and other great yogis suggest that it is easier, and in fact necessary to practice the first four limbs, known as the external limbs of yoga before moving into the last four, the internal limbs. The first two limbs, yama and niyama, allows us to observe where we are on moral continuum. This observation comes solely from our minds, in which the ego most certainly participates. The third and fourth limbs, asana and pranayama, takes us more deeply into our bodies and minds. We feel connection in them and sometimes connection to all. Any beginner can notice and feel the power of it, even if only in small amounts.

Applying the Eight Limbs of Yoga is a profound practice that can last a lifetime. Find a teacher today and learn more about yoga, philosophy and the eight limbs.