Eight limbs of yoga

2. Ashtanga (eight limbs of yoga)
Ashtanga, the eight limbs of yoga, is Patanjali's classification of classical yoga,
as set out in his Yoga Sutras. He defined the eight limbs as yama
(abstinences), niyama (observances), asana (postures), pranayama
(breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana
(meditation) and samadhi (absorption).
The eight limbs form a sequence from the outer to the inner. Postures,
important in modern yoga, form one limb of Patanjali's scheme; he states
only that they must be steady and comfortable.

3. 1. Yamas (RESTRAINTS)
This first limb, Yama, refers to vows, disciplines or practices that are
primarily concerned with the world around us, and our interaction with it.
While the practice of yoga can indeed increase physical strength and
flexibility and aid in calming the mind, what’s the point if we’re still rigid,
weak and stressed-out in day-to-day life?
There are five Yamas: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya
(non-stealing), Brahmacharya (right use of energy), and Aparigraha (non-
greed or non-hoarding).

4. 2. Niyama (OBSERVANCES)
The second limb, Niyama, usually refers to duties directed towards ourselves, but
can also be considered with our actions towards the outside world. The prefix ‘ni’
is a Sanskrit verb which means ‘inward’ or ‘within’.
There are five Niyamas: saucha (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas
(discipline or burning desire or conversely, burning of desire), svadhyaya (self-
study or self-reflection, and study of spiritual texts), and isvarapranidaha
(surrender to a higher power).

5. 3. ASANA
(POSTURE)
The physical aspect of yoga is the
third step on the path to freedom,
and if we’re being honest, the word
asana here doesn’t refer to the ability
to perform a handstand or an
aesthetically impressive backbend, it
means ‘seat’ – specifically the seat
you would take for the practice of
meditation. The only alignment
instruction Patanjali gives for this
asana is “sthira sukham asanam”, the
posture should be steady and

6. 4. Pranayama
(BREATH CONTROL)
Generally translated as breath control, this fourth stage
consists of techniques designed to gain mastery over
the respiratory process while recognizing the
connection between the breath, the mind, and the
emotions. As implied by the literal translation
of pranayama, "life force extension," yogis believe that
it not only rejuvenates the body but actually extends life
itself. You can practice pranayama as an isolated
technique (i.e., simply sitting and performing a number
of breathing exercises), or integrate it into your daily
hatha yoga routine.

7. PRATYAHARA, THE FIFTH LIMB, MEANS WITHDRAWAL OR SENSORY
TRANSCENDENCE. IT IS DURING THIS STAGE THAT WE MAKE THE
CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO DRAW OUR AWARENESS AWAY FROM THE
EXTERNAL WORLD AND OUTSIDE STIMULI. KEENLY AWARE OF, YET
CULTIVATING A DETACHMENT FROM, OUR SENSES, WE DIRECT
OUR ATTENTION INTERNALLY. THE PRACTICE OF PRATYAHARA
PROVIDES US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP BACK AND TAKE A
LOOK AT OURSELVES. THIS WITHDRAWAL ALLOWS US TO
OBJECTIVELY OBSERVE OUR CRAVINGS: HABITS THAT ARE PERHAPS
DETRIMENTAL TO OUR HEALTH AND WHICH LIKELY INTERFERE
WITH OUR INNER GROWTH.
5. PRATYAHARA (SENSE
WITHDRAWAL)

8. 6. DHARANA
Dharana means ‘focused concentration’. Dha means ‘holding or
maintaining’, and Ana means ‘other’ or ‘something else’. Closely
linked to the previous two limbs; dharana and pratyahara are
essential parts of the same aspect. In order to focus on something,
the senses must withdraw so that all attention is put on that point
of concentration, and in order to draw our senses in, we must
focus and concentrate intently. Tratak (candle gazing),
visualisation, and focusing on the breath are all practices of
dharana, and it’s this stage many of us get to when we think we’re
‘meditating’

9. 7. Dhyana (MEDITATION)
Meditation or contemplation, the seventh stage of ashtanga, is the
uninterrupted flow of concentration. Although concentration (dharana)
and meditation (dhyana) may appear to be one and the same, a fine line
of distinction exists between these two stages. Where dharana practices
one-pointed attention, dhyana is ultimately a state of being keenly aware
without focus. At this stage, the mind has been quieted, and in the
stillness it produces few or no thoughts at all. The strength and stamina it
takes to reach this state of stillness is quite impressive. But don't give up.
While this may seem a difficult if not impossible task, remember that yoga
is a process. Even though we may not attain the "picture perfect" pose, or
the ideal state of consciousness, we benefit at every stage of our progress.

10. 8. Samadhi (PURE
CONTEMPLATION)
Samadhi is oneness with the subject of meditation. There is
no distinction, during the eighth limb of yoga, between the
actor of meditation, the act of meditation and the subject of
meditation. Samadhi is that spiritual state when one's mind
is so absorbed in whatever it is contemplating on, that the
mind loses the sense of its own identity. The thinker, the
thought process and the thought fuse with the subject of
thought. There is only oneness, samadhi.

11. Thank You