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8 limbs (ashtanga) are practical guides to a person's personal
development to achieve the harmony of the mind, the body and
the spirit which leads to Samadhi or enlightenment.
Yamas
are your attitude towards others and the world around you.
1. Ahimsa or non-violence.
This Yama does not only mean not doing harm to others in thought
and in deed, but also to practice acts of kindness to other
creatures and to one's own self.
2. Satya or truthfulness.
Satya is the Yama that is about living a truthful life without
doing harm to others. To practice Satya, one must think before
he speaks and consider the consequence of his action. If the
truth could harm others, it might be better to keep silent.
3. Asteya or non-stealing.
This Yama is not only concerned about the non-stealing of
material objects but also the stealing of other's ideas and
other forms of possession. Using power for selfish motives
or telling someone else about confidential information you
had been entrusted with is against Asteya.
4. Bramacharya or non-lust.
Bramacharya means to move toward the essential truth or to
achieve self-control, abstinence or moderation especially
regarding to sexual activity. It is about not giving in to
our ego's excessive desires or taking nothing in excess.
5. Aparigraha or non-possessiveness.
This Yama is about living a life free from greed or taking
only what is necessary and do not take advantage of someone
or of a situation. It is about using our powers correctly
and appropriately and not exploiting others.
Niyamas
are how you treat yourself or your attitude towards yourself.
1. Sauca or cleanliness.
This Niyama is concerned on both the outer and inner cleanliness.
The practice of pranayamas, asanas and Yogic cleansing practices
to detoxify and cleanse the physical body are necessary to
achieve inner cleanliness. The mind must also be kept clean
or pure. Outer cleanliness, on the other hand, means to keep
an clean environment or surroundings.
2. Santosha or contentment.
Santosha is to practice humility, modesty and finding
contentment with what you have and who you are.
3. Tapas or austerity.
This Niyama refers to keeping the body in good condition.
Tapas is practiced through disciplining the body, speech and
mind like eating only when hungry and maintaining a good posture.
4. Svadhyaya or study of the
sacred text and of one's self. This involved studying
one's self, self-inquiry and self-examination and other things
that can help you get to know yourself more. As your knowledge
about yourself grows deeper, so is your connection to the
higher power and your union with all things.
5. Isvarapranidhama or living
with an awareness of the Divine. This Niyama encourages
us to let go of our false sense of control and to connect
to the Divine or that which gives us the sense of wholeness
and sacredness.
Asanas or Physical Poses
The Asanas are designed to free our mind and body from tension
and stress. It relaxes, rejuvenates, and energizes the body
and aims to bring the body and the mind into a harmonious
union. Asanas should be done with comfort, ease, alertness
and steadiness, achieving a balance between ease and effort.
Pranayama or Breathing Exercises
Pranayama is the control of breath. The breath is regulated
and controlled through the practice of breathing exercises.
The duration of inhalation, retention, and exhalation of breath
is regulated with the aim of strengthening and cleansing the
nervous system and increasing a person's source of life energy.
Pranayama practice also makes the mind calmer and more focused.
Prathayara or Withdrawal of the Senses
This occurs during meditation, pranayama or asana wherein
you are so focused and immersed on your Yoga, Meditation or
Breathing Pose that you become unaware of outside situations.
Your focus becomes inward and you are no longer distracted
by outside events.
Dharana or Concentration
Dharana is training the mind to focus without any distraction.
To achieve this, you can focus your mind into an object at
a time. This can also serve as a preparation for meditation.
Dhyana or Meditation
Meditation is the practice by which there is constant observation
of the mind. It means focusing the mind on one point, stilling
the mind in order to perceive the Self. It is an uninterrupted
flow of concentration aimed to heighten one's awareness and
oneness with the universe. It is also an important tool to
achieve mental clarity and Health.
Samadhi or Enlightenment
This is the ultimate goal of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. It is
characterized by the state of ecstasy and the feeling that
you and the universe are one. It is a state of peace and completion,
awareness and compassion with detachment.
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Yoga
is a journey into the mind,