Today's post is an introduction to the start of a new series - The 8 Limbs of Yoga. This post will be a short overview of the history of Yoga and the 8 Limbs, then the following 8 posts will delve more into each Limb itself.
Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
The word Yoga means "to yoke" or to unite/connect. In the practice of Yoga, the connection to be attained is with one's true self, also referred to as one's divine essence or, most commonly thought of as, one's soul.
However, generally, (especially in the Western world) when people think of or talk about Yoga, they are referring to the physical practice of the poses, or Asanas. Yet, the Asanas are only one of the 8 steps, or Limbs, of Yoga as a whole.
The 8 Limbs of Yoga are first mentioned in the Yoga Sutras, a set of scriptures from 500 B.C., written by the Indian sage, Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras are an outline, or "how-to", on utilizing all aspects of yoga to achieve the connection with one's true Self.
As a truncated version, the ultimate goal of the Yoga Sutras is to live a meaningful life by creating a union between breath, body, mind, and spirit, and then, eventually reaching a state of enlightenment. In order to do so, one must work their way through the 8 Limbs, mastering each one before moving onto another.
The 8 Limbs of Yoga are:
Yama (Restraints/Morals)
Niyama (Observances)
Asana (Posture)
Pranayama (Breath Control)
Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)
Dharana (Concentration)
Dhyana (Meditation)
Samadhi (Bliss/Enlightenment)
As a disclaimer, I don't think it is wrong to primarily practice one limb of Yoga. Maybe the Asanas are what helps with your low back pain or perhaps Dhyana is a functional way to treat the symptoms of your anxiety. That is great! I do, however, think there is value in learning how these practices originated, and then seeing how they have evolved over the years and across cultures.
So take this series as an educational tool, or a spiritual tool, or physical tool, or all of the above. Take what it is you need from it.
Can't wait to dive into Yama next week with you!
-Charlene 🧡
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