“The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” 101
The Yoga Sutras were written over 3,000 years ago. The word “Sutra” means string—these strings of wisdom offer the purpose and philosophy behind the practice of yoga.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
In Book Two of the Sutras, referred to as “Ashtanga Yoga”, the eight limbs of yoga are introduced and discussed. These limbs are what Paige calls the “recipe for yoga.” They represent different aspects of the yogic path and do not need to be followed in a specific order. A single practice may not include all eight limbs; they are meant to be experienced as a cycle rather than a checklist.
It’s important to note that the Sutras were originally written in Sanskrit, and translations can vary. The translation referenced here is by Sri Swami Satchidananda (p.125).
In Summary, the Eight Limbs Are:
Yamas – Ethical restraints or moral disciplines
Niyamas – Personal observances
Asanas – Physical postures
Pranayama – Breath control
Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses
Dharana – Concentration
Dhyana – Meditation
Samadhi – Absorption or enlightenment
Yamas – Rules for Living
The Yamas are translated into “Self Restraint or Ethics” and is known as the first limb. These are then broken down into more specifics or sub-list of principles based on behavior to external conditions.
The first Yamas is “ahimsa” meaning non-violence or harming.
The second is “satya" or truthfulness.
The third is “asteya" or non stealing.
The fourth is “brahmacharya” or continence and lastly “aparigaha” or non-greed.
Niyamas – Observances or Rules of Life
The second limb or Niyamas are often translated into observances. Here a sub-list is a code of ethics reflective to inner disciplines.
The first is “saucha” meaning purification.
The second is “samtosha” or contentment.
The third is “tapah” or accepting pain and not causing pain.
The fourth is “svadhyaya” or self-study
The fifth is “Isvarapranidhanani” or worship of God or self-surrender.
Asanas – Postures
Interesting enough this word is what many in the West associate is “Yoga” and yet Patanjali didn’t write much about asanas in the texts at all. The word “asana” means “seat of the soul” and he wrote it to take any movement. Your movement should be steady – “without strain”.
Somewhere between ease and effort.
Pratyahara – Internalized Consciousness
Technique of drawing the senses inward to pay attention to vibrations or sensations.
Creating an awareness either while moving (asana) or being still. Listening to the body from the “inside out”
Dhyana – Meditation
There are styles and forms of meditation (see tab on this website about types) and he didn’t reference one style as a preference.
Pranayama – Breath Control
Cultivation of respiration is the way to infuse the vital force and energy into body. We practice this by enhancing the processes of purification by the “restraint” of the life energy (Prana). Breathwork can be its own yoga practice and those who practice Kriya Yoga understand this. (See Yoga Tab for more)
Dharana – Concentration
Naturally, the mind wanders however we draw the mind to concentrate to tame the mind.
It is an active choice when deciding to stop thinking about one thing and consciously focus on something right here and now. This leads us to the next path of meditation.
Samadhi – Bliss or Joy
This is the “higher state that contains the larger view of universal consciousness, where dualities melt away, and the fusion of oneness exists.”
However refer to the first chapter and the point of yoga was to settle the mind. The point of Yoga was to have mental clarity.
