Ashtanga: The Eight Limbs of Yoga

Lead us from the unreal to the real,

Lead us from darkness into light,

Lead us from death to immortality,

Om shanti shanti shanti

-Pavamana Mantra, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

The Eight Limbs of Yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga, are practices that develop civility and fructify the journey inward to discover our true nature. They systematically advance from external or gross states to internal subtle ones. The practice of each limb can be implemented simultaneously, ensuring one understands who they truly are and are acting in balance with the world around them. They virtually guarantee a balanced, harmonious life.

Here is an overview of each limb, the first five being the external and balance the internal:

Yama (Restraints or Social Ethics):

• Ahimsa (Non-violence): Cultivating an attitude of non-harming, both to oneself and others.

• Satya (Truthfulness): Practicing honesty and truthfulness in thought, speech, and action.

• Asteya (Non-stealing): Avoiding theft, not just in terms of material possessions but also in thoughts and emotions.

• Brahmacharya (Moderation): Practicing moderation in all aspects of life, including physical and mental activities.

• Aparigraha (Non-attachment): Cultivating non-attachment to material possessions and desires.

Niyama (Personal Behavior or Observances):

• Saucha (Purity): Purifying the body and mind through cleanliness and clarity.

• Santosha (Contentment): Cultivating contentment and gratitude for what one has.

• Tapas (Discipline): Practicing self-discipline and dedication to achieve personal and spiritual goals.

• Svadhyaya (Self-study): Engaging in self-reflection and self-study, including the study of sacred texts.

• Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to a higher power): Surrendering one's actions to a higher purpose or divine force.

Asana (Physical postures):

• The practice of physical postures and poses to build strength, flexibility, balance & purification. Asanas are designed to prepare the body for meditation and higher states of consciousness.

Pranayama (Breath control):

• The regulation of breath to control the life force (prana) and enhance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the senses):

• Turning the attention inward by withdrawing the senses from external stimuli. This prepares the mind for deeper levels of concentration and meditation.

Dharana (Concentration):

• Focusing the mind on a single point or object, developing one-pointed concentration. This is a preparation for meditation.

Dhyana (Meditation):

• Sustained concentration leads to meditation, where the meditator becomes one with the object of focus. This state involves uninterrupted flow of awareness.

Samadhi (Union with the Divine):

• The ultimate goal of Ashtanga, where the practitioner experiences a state of oneness with the divine or cosmic consciousness. This is a state of complete absorption and realization of the true self.

  
  

These eight limbs provide a holistic approach to spiritual and personal development, guiding individuals toward self-realization and inner peace. In future articles, we will explore each concept in depth individually.