According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, ashtanga refers to the eightfold path. It means. “eight limbs”. Here, ashta means eight and anga means limb. So, these 8 limbs of ashta refer to the eight steps which serve as a guideline on how to live a purposeful as well as meaningful life. It helps in providing the perfect prescription for ethical and moral conduct. It also helps in acknowledging the spiritual aspects of our nature as well.
Know about 8 limbs of yoga
1. Yama
Yama is the first of the 8 limbs of yoga. It deals with the sense of integrity as well as the ethical standards that focus on our behaviour. It also deals on how we conduct ourselves in life. Yama prove to be universal practices which we all know as the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Regarding the five yamas, they are as follows:
- “Satya” meaning “truthfulness”
- “Ahimsa” meaning “nonviolence”
- “Asteya” meaning “nonstealing”
- “Aparigraha” meaning “noncovetousness”
- “Brahmacharya” meaning “continence”
2. Niyama
Niyama is the second limb and it has basically to do with spiritual observances and self-discipline. Some examples of niyama include attending church or temple on a regular basis, saying grace before meals, development of practices of personal meditation, and so on.
The five niyamas are as under:
- “Saucha” meaning “cleanliness”
- “Sanmtosa” meaning “contentment”
- “Isvara pranidhana” meaning “surrender to God”
- “Svadhyaya” meaning “study of the sacred scriptures and of one’s self”
- “Tapas” meaning “heat; spiritual austerities”
3. Asana
Asana is one of the postures that is practiced in yoga. It is the third of the 8 limbs of yoga. The body is a temple of spirit according to yogic view. It is the care which proves to be an important stage of our spiritual growth. By practicing asana, it becomes possible to develop the habit of discipline. It also helps a lot in the ability to concentrate as well
4. Pranayama
This is the fourth stage which is generally translated as “breath control”. It helps in gaining mastery over the respiratory process. At the same time, it recognizes the connection between the mind, the breath, and the emotions. The literal translation of pranayama implies life force extension where it is believed by the yogis that it not only leads to the rejuvenation of the body but it actually makes it possible in extending life force itself. Possible to practice pranayama as an isolated technique or you can also look forward to integrating into your daily hatha yoga routine as well.
Its important to note that these four stages of ashtanga yoga in Patanjali helps to develop energetic awareness of ourselves including gaining mastery over the body as well as refining our personalities. It all deals with the mind, senses and also helps to attain a higher state of consciousness.
5. Pratyahara
Among the 8 limbs of yoga, Pratyahara happens to be the fifth one. This implies sensory transcendence or withdrawal. Conscious effort is made in this stage to draw our awareness away from the external world as well as outside stimuli. This practice helps in providing us with an opportunity in stepping back and taking a look at ourselves.
6. Dharana
We have got the idea that each stage helps in preparing for the next. The setting for Dharana is created with the practice of pratyahara. Once we get relieved from the outside distractions it becomes possible to deal with the distractions of the mind. By concentrating on a single mental object it helps in slowing down the thinking process. From the previous three stages of breath control, postures and senses withdrawal, we can feel that it has already been possible to begin developing our powers of concentration. It should be noted that no matter how much we try to pay attention to our actions in asana and pranayama, our attention travels. There is constantly shifting of our focus in the different breathing techniques or any particular posture. When it comes to pratyahara, we tend to become self observant while on the other hand, we happen to provide ultimate focus to a single point with our attention in Dharana.
7. Dhyana
The uninterrupted flow of concentration is the seventh stage of ashtanga. Meditation (dhyana) and concentration (dharana) may appear to be one and the same but it should be noted that there exists a fine line of distinction between these two stages. One-pointed attention is practiced in dharana where on the other hand, dhyana happens to be the state as to where it is being keenly aware and that too without focus. The mind becomes quiet where it happens to produce almost no thought at all. You might feel that it is quite difficult but you should keep in mind that yoga is a process where we realize that we benefit at every stage.
8. Samadhi
This is the eighth and final stage of ashtanga, according to Patanjali . In this stage, there is a merging of the meditator with the point of focus and self. It becomes possible for the mediator in realizing a profound connection with the Divine. According to Patanjali, all human beings aspire peace deep down. The ultimate state of yoga can never be processed or brought but it can only be experienced.
The uninterrupted flow of concentration is the seventh stage of ashtanga. Meditation (Dhyana) and concentration (Dharana) may appear to be one and the same but it should be noted that there exists a fine line of distinction between these two stages. One-pointed attention is practiced in Dharana where on the other hand, Dhyana happens to be the state as to where it is being keenly aware and that too without focus. The mind becomes quiet where it happens to produce almost no thought at all. You might feel that it is quite difficult but you should keep in mind that yoga is a process where we realize that we benefit at every stage.
Summary
You must have got all the right idea about the 8 limbs of yoga where it would be possible to enjoy perfect results out of it. Make sure that you always look forward to practicing yoga without fail to get the ultimate satisfaction in the right manner. You should also sure that you put these into actions that would benefit you a lot. You can truly enrich your yoga practice and enjoy good life without any worry at all.
