The body is the temple of your being; the vehicle for your soul on its spiritual journey. In Yoga we use our body, which is the known and refined instruction to begin the journey, to penetrate the layers of our being. This allows us to connect our awareness to the spirit within, the unknown. Working from the gross body,through the subtle to the casual body, we make the journey inward to merge into a state of freedom beyond consciousness known as Samadhi.
Patanjali was an Indian sage who lived more than 2500 years ago. He is still considered the authority on yoga. Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras describing an eight-limbed path that is the structural framework for yoga practice. Yoga means union: union of body, mind and individual spirit with the universal spirit. The eight-limbed framework described by Patanjali illustrates Ashtanga (the eight limbs) yoga.
The first two limbs, the Yamas and Niyamas, are the ethical observances, which give us the guidelines of how to relate to other people and our environment, and how to deal with ourselves. Yamas are considered the guiding principles for universal morality. They give us the rules for living in harmony with others and our world. Ahimsa translates as non-violence or non-harming. It means the cultivation of friendliness, compassion, joy and thoughtful consideration of other people and our planet.
Through the practice of Ahisma we acknowledge the web of life that connects us all. Live your life with love in your heart, be considerate and do no harm. Satya translates as truthfulness.It means speaking the truth, yet being discriminating.If speaking the truth is harmful to another it is better to say nothing at all. Asteya means non-stealing. Don’t take anything that is not yours or that is not freely given to you. Brahmacharya is sense control. Often described as sexual abstinence this can be seen as using our sexual energy responsibly and in a manner that does not harm others.
Aparigraha is non-greed or non-hoarding. It means to take no more than you need. It means letting go of attachments to things and understanding the only constant in life is change. Everything is impermanent. Practicing the Yamas contributes to the health and happiness of society by purifying the human nature of desire and attachment.
Niyamas, on the other hand are the personal rules for living. Saucha translates as cleanliness. This means not only keeping our bodies clean on the outside by bathing but also on the inside by eating foods that support good health. Practicing asanas and pranayama purify the body of toxins and the mind of negative emotions such as hatred, passion, anger, lust, greed, delusion and pride.
Santosa is contentment. This means feeling content with what we have and finding contentment even when facing the challenges life offers.Be happy and accept what life brings.
Tapas means self discipline. The word tapas is derived from the Sanskrit word tap, which means to burn or to heat. Tapas in our practice means not only purifying our physical body through the practice of yoga but also burning away the desire and attachment for and to things. Tapas can be paying attention to our breath, posture and the food we eat. Purification is not necessarily easy but necessary as “the pains which are yet to come can and are to be avoided” (Y.S. 2:16) if we are to attain our spiritual goals and good health.
Svadhyaya is self study. Sva means self and adhyaya means inquiry. Know thyself. Learn to be self-aware, understanding our strengths and limitations. Isvarapranidhana is surrender. Isvarapranidhana means to surrender to the divine creator. Let go of our ego and allow our inner wisdom to guide us. Twelve Step programs are based on this premise.“Let go and let God”. Acknowledge that a force greater than our individual ego is guiding us.
Asana is the third limb of astanga yoga, and is the most well known aspect. The practice of physical postures in Asana improves our health ,mobility, stability, strength and flexibility. It has a profoundly calming effect on our mind giving us a deep sense of well-being. The first three limbs are known as the outward practices. Pranayama is the forth limb. It is the beginning of the inward practices.
Prana means life force and yama means extension. Pranayama extends the life force through control of the breath. The disciplined practice of Asana and Pranayama produce the tapas that purify the body and mind. The fifth limb Pratyahara is known as withdrawal of the senses from external objects. Generally, our senses attach to the outer world and feed our desires leaving us feeling discontent. Controlling the senses brings peace of mind and tranquility. The final three limbs are known as the quest of the soul and bring the yoga practitioner into harmonious contact with the ultimate creative force or divine universal spirit.
The sixth limb Dharana is concentration of the mind on the universal spirit. Here the mind is still and brought to onepointed absorption at which point there is no feeling of “I” or “mine”.
The seventh limb Dhyana is meditation, contemplation of the nature of the universal spirit.
The final limb Samadhi means union with divine universal spirit.