The Ashtanga Yoga aka The Eight Limbs

Ashtanga Yoga is based on the eight limbs of yoga as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.

They outline a path to living a more peaceful, focused, and meaningful life. Each "limb" is like a step; they are meant to work together to guide you towards balance, inner peace, and self-realisation.

1 & 2. Yama and Niyama (The ethical guidelines)

The first limb, Yama, are the ethical guidelines or moral disciplines that provide a framework for how one should interact with the external world.

They focus on things like being kind, honest, and non-violent.

There are five Yamas:

1. Ahimsa: Non-violence, 

2. Satya: Truthfulness, 

3. Asteya: Non-stealing, 

4. Brahmacharya: Right use of energy,

5. Aparigraha: Non-greed or non-hoarding. 

The second limb, Niyama, consists of principles for personal observance and self-discipline, guiding individuals in their inner journey towards self-awareness and spiritual growth.

They help you cultivate good habits.

There are also five Niyamas:

1. Shaucha: Cleanliness, purity,

2. Santosha: Contentment, being happy with what you have,

3. Tapas: Discipline, determination,

4. Svadhyaya: Self-study, reflection,

5. Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrender to a higher power or the divine.

3. Asana (Physical Postures)

The practice of Asana goes beyond just physical exercise. The purpose is to create balance, harmony, and stillness within the body, so that you can cultivate a deeper connection with your inner self and the divine.

Yoga teaches that our bodies are vessels for our spirit, and when the body is strong, flexible, and relaxed, it becomes easier to quiet the mind and tune into a higher state of consciousness. Asanas help you clear physical and mental blockages, making it easier to meditate and access deeper states of awareness, peace, and spiritual insight.

Asana practice prepares your body to sit comfortably for meditation, so you can deepen your practice and enter higher states of consciousness.

Through physical practice, you align body, mind, and spirit in harmony.

4. Pranayama (Breath Control)

Pranayama is the practice of harnessing and directing the vital life force energy, known as prana, that flows through all living things.

The word "pranayama" is made up of two parts:

• Prana: the universal life energy or vital force that permeates all aspects of existence, including our breath, emotions, thoughts, and the energy around us.

• Yama: meaning control or regulation.

So, pranayama means the control or regulation of the breath in order to regulate the flow of prana within the body.

It is the practice of consciously controlling the breath to regulate and enhance the flow of prana within the body. This practice helps purify the mind, open spiritual energy channels, bring calmness and presence, and prepare the practitioner for deeper meditation and higher states of consciousness. It's not just about physical breathing—it's about tapping into the universal energy that connects all things and using it to elevate your spiritual awareness.

5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses)

Pratyahara is the fifth limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, and it plays a crucial role in the spiritual journey.

Breaking Down "Pratyahara":

• Prati: against or in the opposite direction.

• Ahara: food or nourishment (but in this context, it refers to anything that "feeds" or stimulates the senses, like sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch).

So, Pratyahara literally means "withdrawal from the senses" or "mastery over the senses.”

Pratyahara is the practice of consciously withdrawing the senses from the external world in order to focus inward. Spiritually, it is about quieting the noise of daily life, detaching from sensory distractions, and cultivating a deeper awareness of our true self. By turning our attention inward, we can experience greater peace, clarity, and connection to the divine. Pratyahara is the bridge between the outer world and the inner stillness needed for meditation and spiritual awakening.

6. Dharana (Concentration)

Dharana is the sixth limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, and it is a key step on the path to deep meditation (Dhyana) and spiritual awakening. In a spiritual sense, dharana is the practice of concentration or single-pointed focus. It's about training the mind to stay steady and focused on one object, idea, or sensation without distraction. This deep concentration creates the foundation for higher states of meditation and spiritual realisation.

In everyday life, dharana helps you become more present and centred, whether you're meditating, working, or interacting with others. By training the mind to stay focused on one thing, you develop a deeper sense of purpose, clarity, and peace.

For example:

• Focus on your breath: In meditation, you focus all your attention on your inhale and exhale, allowing the breath to become your anchor to the present moment.

• Mantra repetition: Repeating a mantra, like “Om” or “So Hum,” helps to focus the mind and cultivate spiritual energy.

7. Dhyana (Meditation)

Dhyana (the seventh limb of yoga) refers to the practice of deep meditation, where the mind becomes fully absorbed and focused, transcending distractions and mental chatter. Dhyana is more than just quieting the mind—it's about entering a state of profound inner stillness, connection, and oneness with the present moment and, ultimately, with the divine or universal consciousness.

Dhyana is a state of deep meditation, where your concentration becomes effortless and the mind is calm and still. It’s like the next level of dharana, where you merge with the object of your focus.

Through sustained practice of Dhyana, you transcend the limitations of the ego, experience the true nature of your being, and move towards spiritual liberation and enlightenment. It is a powerful tool for awakening to the deep, eternal truth of existence.

8. Samadhi (Enlightenment or Bliss)

Samadhi is the eighth and final limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, and it represents the ultimate state of spiritual realisation and liberation. In a spiritual sense, samadhi is a state of complete union with the Divine, the universe, or your true self. It is the culmination of the entire yogic path, where the distinctions between the individual self and the universal consciousness dissolve, and the practitioner experiences oneness with everything.

In samadhi, you experience the truth of your divine nature, free from the fluctuations of the mind, and fully immersed in the eternal, unchanging reality. It is a state of liberation (Moksha) and the ultimate goal of spiritual practice, where suffering ends, and the soul experiences its true, boundless nature.

The Essence of Samadhi: The word "Samadhi" comes from two Sanskrit roots:

• "Sam" means "together" or "complete."

• "Adhi" means "to place" or "to merge.”

Keep practicing

Namaste