The Eight Limbs of Yoga

The Path of Yoga was first laid out in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (Sutra = “threads”) written in Sanskrit in the second century B.C. There are three sections to the book which outline the path to Samadhi (see definition below.) The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root "Yuj," meaning to yoke, join, create union and harmony.

The Eight Limbs outline the path of Yoga but are not necessarily to be taken as a chronological path. Most practitioners will find that beginning with a daily Asana and Pranayama practice naturally leads to the remaining limbs by enhancing awareness of Self. Most spiritual practices have similar guidelines. In the case of the Yamas and Niyamas, these guidelines seek to create an environment for our mind and body to settle into the concern of one-pointed meditation leading to Samadhi.

1. Yamas – 5 Restraints. Rules of social conduct
Ahimsa – Non-violence, toward living beings, also includes negative thought directed toward oneself or others, ex: self-deprecation or gossip classified also as violence
Satya – Truthfulness
Asteya – Non-stealing, mentally or physically
Brahmacharya – Control of sexual energy - meaning abusive, hurtful, over-indulgence of sensory pleasures or celibacy. Also means having moderation in all things.
Aparigraha – Non-covetousness or Non-hoarding, mentally or material.

2. Niyamas – 5 Observances – Rules for the individual
Saucha – Purity, internal and external cleanliness of body and mind.
Santosha – Contentment. A feeling of equanimity.
Tapas – Self-discipline. The word tapas also means heat or burning of impurities.
Svadhyaya – Self-study. Study of the higher-self and sacred texts.
Ishwara Pranidhana – Dedication to god, surrender to god’s will. Also meaning surrender to the great mystery, to greater powers beyond the indiviual.

3. Asana – Asana means a Seat, Pose or Posture. In addition the two qualities of a posture are Sthira (steady and alert) and Sukha (comfortable).

4. Pranayama – Prana is breath or life-force energy, Yama means control. Regulation or control of the breath, control of the vital force.

5. Pratyahara – Sense Withdrawal. Going inward.

6. Dharana – One-pointed concentration.

7. Dhyana – Meditation – Continuous one-pointed concentration or continuous being in the present moment.

8. Samadhi – Bliss, the super-conscious state where non-duality or oneness is experienced.


Sivananda’s 5 points of yoga
In addition, Sivananda, one of the popular schools of yoga, offer a simple and useful outline for a good practice and lifestyle which I find helpful. They include:
Proper Exercise
Proper Breathing
Proper Relaxation
Proper Diet
Meditation