The document outlines the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga which are the path to joining the individual self (Atman) with the universal self (Paramatman). The eight limbs are Yama (social discipline), Niyama (self discipline), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahra (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (contemplation). It provides details on the principles of each limb and their purpose in progressing along the yoga path.

1. 8 Limbs of Yoga
Shubham Connor Verlekar

2. What is yoga?
Yoga means to JOIN
To join Atman with Paramatman
PARAMATMAN
The controller of the universal energy
ATMAN
The controller of the self
If Paramatman is the ocean, Atman is a drop of its water, kept separate in a container (Body)
Atman is confined to the body mind complex, and has its own separate identity
When Atman merges with Paramatman, it looses its own identity.
This is the aim of Yoga!

3. Ashtanga Yoga
(Eight Limb Yoga)
• Yama : Social Discipline
• Niyama : Self Discipline
• Asana : Posture
• Pranayama : Breath control
• Pratyahara : Withdrawal of sense organs
• Dharana : Concentration of Mind
• Dhyana : Meditation
• Samadhi: Contemplation

4. Yama – Restarint (Sutra 2.30)
1. Ahimsa – Non Violence
2. Satya – Truthfulness
3. Asteya – Non Stealing
4. Brahmacharya – Sexual Control
5. Aparigraha – Non Possessiveness

5. Niyama – Self-Disipline (2.32)
Shoucha – Cleanliness, Purity
Santosha – Contentment
Tapa – Austerity
Swadhyaya – Self Study
Ishwara Pranidhana – Surrender to God

6. Niyama – Self-Disipline (2.32)
Shatkarmas
1. Dhouti – Cleaning of the digestive tract
Basti – Cleaning of the rectum
Neti – Cleaning of the Nasal passage
Tratak – Cleaning of the eyes
Nouli – Improving the digestion
Kapalbhati – Cleaning of the lungs
Swadhyaya – Self Study
Study is the process of acquiring knowledge, both theoretical & practical
The explanation given by Patanjali of study is as follows:
Deerghakaal – for long period
Nairantarya – continued, uninterrupted
Satakarasevito – with full unconditional faith

7. Asana
• Posture must be steady and comfortable (2.46)
• Asana implies a seated posture suitable for meditation, e.g., lotus
• Steady = no shaking or trembling, firm
• Comfortable posture needed for steadiness of breath and stillness
of the mind
• In Hatha Yoga, asana practiced to develop a strong and flexible
body resulting in comfortable and steady seated posture

8. Pranayam
• Asana having been accomplished, Pranayama is cessation of
inspiration and expiration (2.49)
• Breath is the gross manifestation of prana the cosmic life force
• Link between the body (matter) and the mind (consciousness)
• The vehicle for prana is the pranamaya kosha with all its channels
(nadis) of subtle energy

9. Pratyahra
• In Pratyahara, by withdrawing themselves from their objects, the
senses seem to imitate the mind (2.54); supreme mastery over the
senses then follows (2.55)
• Content of mind at any time determined by:
1. Sensory input
2. Memories from the past
3. Anticipation of the future
• Pratyahara is to eliminate all sensory input

10. Dharana and Dhayna
• Fixing on a particular object
• Mature dharana is dhayna

11. Samadhi
• To place or fix together
• Final stage