Eight limbs of yoga | A Mindful Movement Practice

The eight limbs of yoga

The eight limbs of yoga were outlined in the Yoga Sutra about 2,500 years ago by the sage Patanjali.

The eight limbs are intended to encompass a lifestyle and a way of spiritual being.

Modern yoga largely focuses on asana and pranayama, the third and fourth limbs; these are the parts that govern physical movement and breathing.

The sessions offered at A Mindful Movement Practice weave these eight limbs of yoga into a life practice. But don't worry, there won't be a pop quiz at the end of lessons! There won't be any Sanskrit or chanting involved in our sessions, just plain old breathing and moving.

Yamas

The Yamas make up a moral code. There are five of them;

Ahimsa - no violence committed towards ourselves or others

Satya - truthfulness towards yourself and others

Asteya - no stealing (material objects, energy, time etc)

Bramacharya - enjoying sensual pleasures (food, sex etc) in moderation

Aparigraha - no materialism (letting go of things we don't need)

Niyamas

The Niyamas are personal habits. There are five of them;

Saucha - physical and moral cleanliness

Santosha - contentment

Tapas - self-discipline

Svadhyaya - cultivating a sense of spiritual and personal self

Ishvara Pranidhana - surrendering oneself to divine power

Asana

Asanas are the postures practiced in yoga. This is what most Western users of yoga focus on. Traditional Hatha Yoga teaches 84 asanas, but there are countless asanas across the spectrum of yoga. A session of yoga can contain just one asana to aid meditation, or a series of asanas to stretch and tone the body.

Pranayama

Pranayama translates literally to “life force extension”. Breathing techniques are believed to enhance prana, a person's life force. Practically, deep breathing can be calming and grounding.

Pratyahara

Pratyahara involves preventing or restricting outside stimulation of the senses in order to concentrate on internal feelings. Internal examination can help in identifying potentially harmful or unhealthy thoughts and habits, which can then be meditated on to find a solution.

Dharana

Dharana refers to concentration. Concentrating on a single thing (the body, the breath, a sound, an object) can help teach how to control the mind.

Dhyana

Dhyana means meditation. While dharana involves intensely focusing on something, dhyana goes beyond any stimulus. The goal is complete physical and mental stillness.

Samadhi

Samadhi is a state of ecstasy, freedom, and higher awareness. At this stage, the meditator transcends the Self and feels a connection with all living things. This brings a feeling of total peace and oneness with the universe.