The 8 Limbs of Yoga.

The word 'Yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Yuj', meaning 'to join' or 'to yoke' or 'to unite'. As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, man & nature.

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, and whilst many different interpretations and styles have been developed, most tend to agree that the ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve liberation from suffering. The majority of schools and traditions of yoga focus on bringing together body, mind and breath as a means of altering energy or shifting consciousness.

Patanjali was a Hindu author, mystic and philosopher who wrote the classical text on yoga - the Yoga Sutras. It provides the traditional foundation of yoga, in which he outlines an eightfold path of the practice.

Each of the Eight Limbs offers a means of living with more integrity, self-discipline, respect for nature and connection with the spiritual aspects of life. They basically act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life.

1. YAMAS
Five universal, ethical and moral principles to live by:
- Nonviolence
- Truthfulness
- Non-stealing
- Non-greed
- Right use of energy

2.NIYAMAS
Five individual standards to live by:
- Cleanliness
- Contentment
- Self-discipline
- Study of self
- Surrender to a higher power

3.ASANA
The practice of physical postures, originally intended only for seated meditation, but more recently adapted to encompass all physical yoga practices

4.PRANAYAMA
Pranayama is breath control and refers to breathing exercises to control the flow of prana (vital life force)

5. PRATYAHARA
Pratyahara is sense withdrawal. This technique teaches us the way to journey inward and find ultimate peacefulness

6. DHARANA
Dharana means concentration. Single, pointed focus of the mind aids in deep meditation

7.DHYANA
Dhyana means meditation - we can improve our chances of experiencing meditation by using pranayama, pratyahara and dharana in unison

8.SAMADHI
Samadhi is enlightenment, the liberation or blissful union with the Divine

“The journey of the eight limbs of yoga is meant to take us from doing-ness to being-ness. Once we have mastered all the former steps in the sutras, we are able to accomplish the most important facet of life that propels our spiritual journey forward: the ability to stay in the present moment indefinitely.”