Find out more about the why of yoga

1. PATANJALI’S ASHTANGA
YOGA ETHICS
THE EIGHT LIMBED PATH

2. THE YAMAS AND NIYAMAS
We’ll begin by discussing the Yamas and Niyamas, Asana and
Pranayama. The Yamas and Niyamas are both seen to be
disciplines that reveal our true nature.
Yoga ethics are described in the eight-limbed path of Ashtanga
Yoga, in Patanjali’s Classical Yoga. Each path is likened to the
limb of a tree, each limb of the tree represents a different form
of Yoga practice.
The eight limbs are each considered to be different forms of
yoga practice that all lead to our goal of reunification with
Consciousness and with our true nature as spiritual beings
having a physical experience.

3. I have observed that people drawn to yoga are already on a peaceful
spiritual path, not merely seeking physical fitness but also self-
improvement, understanding and acceptance of the world around them
and a way to help themselves and others
We’ll begin by discussing the Yamas and Niyamas, Asana and
Pranayama. The Yamas and Niyamas are both seen to be disciplines
that reveal our true nature.
Yamas : These are our ethical disciplines, the qualities, beliefs and
actions we take, our universal ethics of non-violence towards self and
others. Some of these ethics come from our family and others from the
society we live in, and others from our studies and practices.

4. The Yamas also include the quality of our truthfulness with self
and others, being honest in our transactions with others,
practicing self-restraint and non-hoarding by sharing what we
have with others. Acts of true charity bring peace and
contentment to the giver and the receiver, when we give away
something we value and not just something we no longer want,
and when we open our hearts to others in need, or we adopt an
animal or two that need a safe home and a human companion
to give their love to. Or when we volunteer our time and
resources to help others.
Niyamas: Like the Yamas, the Niyamas are also disciplines that
reveal our true nature, our acts of Self-observation, and
individual disciplines, including purity, contentment, dedication,
self-study and devotion. These are all qualities we can cultivate
in ourselves.

5. However, because we humans come with unconscious habits and
predispositions to some behaviours and beliefs, our effort to change
for the positive will require some sustained effort, along with
commitment and devotion to rid oneself of the unconscious habits,
habits we may be unaware that we have.
Asana: These are the postures and practices that support physical
health, strength and flexibility, restoring and calming the nervous
system. A calm nervous system contributes to our ability to remain
peacefully seated for longer periods of time during meditation
practice. A mindful Asana practice requires dedication, sometimes
remaining seated in the asana for longer periods of time without
feeling discomfort. Over time and with dedication to the practice this
creates a physical and energy body able to retreat within itself,
moving prana consciously through pranayama breathwork.

6. Pranayama: The practice of conscious breathwork is believed to bring
one closer to their awareness of the internal life-force, the movement of
the breath, and is responsible for many vital organ functions.
More than just breath control, our breathing is our connection to Prana,
one that we personally have some control over.
Each breath moves us closer to discovering and tuning in to our internal
awareness of the movement of our prana.
Letting go of the ego and any attitudes of control and dominance, we
become more sensitive to the demands of the ego and simply notice
but do not allow it to gain control.

7. PRATYAHARA AND DHARANA
Pratyahara: This is described as the practice of sensory withdrawal,
the state when the body becomes still and the movement of breath is
observable. It is a deep state of concentration during which prana is
stable.
External things, desires our mind creates are temporary. We reach the
state where letting go of material objects comes easily, we become
non-clinging, our true nature is revealed and turns inward.
Dharana: This is a practice and state of refined concentration,
movement of prana is stable. This is the state of sensory withdrawal
that is the precursor to Meditation.

8. DHYANA AND SAMADHI
Dyana: This is the deep state of meditation wherein one becomes
immersed and the physical senses are calmed. The individual
consciousness becomes so still that it clearly reflects the ultimate reality,
that All is One.
Samadhi: Classical Yoga teaches us that individual Consciousness and
Universal Consciousness merge, creating a state of bliss millions of
times greater than the experience of the ordinary separate mind, and
beyond all words.