Yoga, Patanjali Style - The Eight Limbs

Yoga can be defined as an established set of guidelines and routines that one practices with the ultimate intention of reaching Omnipresence.

There are different yoga schools of thought and practice, some that have remained unchanged for thousands of years while still being devoutly practiced today. There are eight main schools/divisions of Yoga, but It is in Patanjali Yoga that a link to ALL schools/divisions of Yoga can be found.

As the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali's teachings, or suggestions rather, can be considered a 'code of conduct' for the body-mind-soul unit that assists with elevating individual and collective consciousness to ultimately reach Omnipresence.

Patanjali Yoga breaks down into Limb and SÅ«tra divisions, and is further broken down from there.

The eight Limbs are:

1. Yama (behavior to others)

5 Yamas:

1. Ahimsa: nonviolence towards others in actions, words or thoughts
2. Satya: truthfulness, honesty and integrity
3. Asteya: non-stealing whether it be objects, money, ideas, etc
4. Brahmacharya: continence, chastity or the control of sexual desires / impulses
5. Aparigraha: non-covetousness, the control of material and emotional desires and to not begrudge others of their successes etc.

2. Niyama (behavior to self)

5 Niyamas

1. Saucha: Cleanliness and purity of self, environment, thoughts, words, actions (clean body-mind-soul)
2. Santosa: Contentment with oneself and ones life; accept what happens and continue on as all things pass.
3. Tapas: Sustained practice and commitment to keep the body-mind-soul unit fit
4. Svadhyaya: Self study or examination - looking at oneself to intentionally find heightened levels of consciousness/ awareness
5. Isvara pranidhana: Surrendering to a higher power in order to fuse with the Divine Will

3. Asana (posture, poses)

The Asana limb is arguably the most commonly known in Western culture - it is the 'physical' side of yoga. From the Asana limb branches out many subdivisions of yoga that cultivate this limb through the use of poses and postures, promoting strength, flexibility, health and wellness. Any yoga practice that includes moving the body into postures and poses can be considered under the Asana branch of Patanjali Yoga

4. Pranayama (control of breath)

The Pranayama limb concentrates on the act and practice of measuring, controlling and directing breathing. Through controlled breathing one gains mastery of the act of breathing (the entire respiratory process) leading one to recognize, develop and strengthen the connection between the body-mind-soul unit.

5. Pratyahara (inward concentration)

The Pratyahara limb focuses on inward concentration by withdrawing from outwardly stimuli. A form of retreating that assists with deep concentration because when one detaches from their senses and stimulus of senses, one is able to retreat and make room for Omnipresence as our senses are no longer distracted by outer things.

6. Dharana (one-pointed focus)

The Dharana limb exposes one to the art of intentional focus - it is through intentional focus that one can exercise their will and develop their conscious ability to select their focus. With intentional focus (non-distracted focus), one makes room, in terms of attention, and is able to see the object of their focus become 'alive'.

7. Dhyana (meditation)

Although one-pointed focus (dharana) and meditation (dhyana) could be considered the same on some levels, a distinction exists between the two. Dhyana (meditation) is ultimately about 'state' rather than 'focus'. The target state in this limb is to touch, spend time with and become more reflective of Omnipresence through meditative practice.

8. Samadhi (reaching Omnipresence)

It is this limb that the ultimate state is achieved. It is the ultimate union with Omnipresence, it is liberation from ego and it is nourishment for the body-mind-soul unit.

We can see that through the committed practice of any of the 8 Limbs (or subdivisions) of Patanjali Yoga, one is bound to achieve elevated levels of awareness while sustaining an ethical lifestyle, positive behaviors and superior health and well-being.

Namaste,