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8 LIMBS OF CLASSICAL YOGA - THE PATHWAY TO FREEDOM
The first limb, yama, deals with one’s ethical standards and sense of integrity, focusing on our behaviour and conduct in life. Yamas are best described as the universal practice of: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
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The five yamas are:
Ahimsa: non-violence
Satya: truthfulness
Asteya: non-stealing
Brahmacharya: continence
Aparigraha: non-covetousness
Niyama, the second limb, has to do with self-discipline and spiritual observances. Examples of niyamas include but not limited to: a disciplined daily practice, religious study, self-development, observing healthy eating and regular physical exercise.
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The five niyamas are:
Saucha: cleanliness
Samtosa: contentment
Tapas: heat; spiritual austerities
Svadhyaya: study of the sacred scriptures and of one’s self
Isvara pranidhana: surrender to God
OBSERVANCES
POSTURES
The postures of Yoga: Asanas, comprise the third limb. In Yoga, the body is revered as the temple in which our God-like essence, Spirit, resides. Through the practice of asanas, we develop the discipline, capacity and resilience to maintain centered in meditation, on and off the mat.
RESTRAINTS
Control of the Breath
Pranayama, the fourth limb of Yoga, can be translated as 'prana' = 'breath' or 'life-force enery', and 'ayama = 'control'. The breath is key to controlling the subtle energy within the body. The breath is the link between the body and the mind, both powerfully inter-connected.
Pranayama techniques can create powerful physiological, emotional and spiritual changes within us and the benefits are limitless. Pranayamas serve as powerful tools in our daily life, and as preparation for the other aspects of your yoga practice.
Withdrawal from the Senses
Pratyahara, the fifth limb, means withdrawal or sensory transcendence. It is the bridge where our focus shifts from the external physical practices, to the subtler internal ones as outlined in the remaining limbs of yoga. Pratyahara can be described as the beginnings of exploring our inner world, where we can discover more about ourselves, our behaviours, our habits and how we 'show' up in our daily lives.
CONCENTRATION
Dharana is the first internal stage of the eight limbs that is focused on cultivating concentration at will using a variety of techniques. These techniques build our ability to draw all of our senses and bring one-pointed focus and concentration to what we are desiring. We become present, aware and our efforts are efficient to the task at hand, whether it is meditation, being with our loved ones or enjoying celebrations.
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This step of yoga also prepares us for the final stages of Yoga, Dhyana and Samadhi.
MEDITATION
Dhyana, the seventh limb, and is described as 'meditative absorption' . This is essentially the practice of concentrating long enough where it becomes a spontaneous meditation. It is not something that is 'actively' performed; it is where the mind drops away, and the concentration held absorbs into a state of pure experience of the present moment.
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If Dharana is the more active concentration aspect of meditation, then Dhyana could be described as the passive concentration-like state of meditation.
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ABSORPTION
The final limb, Samadhi, is translated into: ‘sama-’ meaning ‘same’ or ‘equal’, and ‘-dhi’ meaning ‘to see’. At this stage, the meditator transcends the Self altogether. The bliss-state synonymous with 'samadhi' is described as the attainment of freedom of attachment from the mind, coming into pure present awareness of all that is; there are no thoughts, no judgement, no analysis, a state of 'one-ness' and simultaneously 'no-self'. The 'self' is absorbed into the 'observed', becoming one.
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