LIMBS OF YOGA

LIMBS OF YOGA

1. Dr. Akansha Tyagi

2. THE 8-LIMBS OF YOGA yama = external discipline niyama = internal discipline âsana = posture prâñâyâma = breath regulation pratyâhâra = withdrawal of the senses dhârañâ = concentration dhyana = meditative absorption samâdhi = oneness, integration

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4. Y ama  –implies discipline and there are five specific practices of yama that the yogi imbibes into his conduct and lifestyle:   Ahimsa  (non-violence) –This means not harming anyone including your own Self . Non-violence is practiced not just in action but with words and thoughts as well. You become gentle and kind to everyone including your own self and your body .   Satya  (truthfulness) – Be truthful in your words, thoughts and actions . Say only what you truly mean and mean whatever you say. This is not just about being truthful to others but to your own self as well. YAMAS

5. Asteya  (non-stealing) –Practice non-stealing and non- covetedness (to desire wrongfully). Be content with what you have and do not envy what someone else has. Also , never take what does not truly belong to you. Aparigraha  (non-possessiveness) – Aparigraha as a practice is identifying greed that is rooted in jealousy. Jealousy means that we desire to be what someone else is, or to have what someone else has.   Brahmacharya  (continence) –The literal translation means chastity or the sublimation of sexual desire. But in truth, it means practicing moderation in everything; including diet, sleep, sex and everything else. This helps one in exercising greater control over the senses instead of becoming a slave to it. YAMAS

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7.   N iyama   –Implies observances that are meant to be practiced daily. There are five niyamas :   Saucha  (purity, external and internal) –Keep your body clean and treat it like a holy temple. Cleanse your mind of all negative thoughts, judgments, and criticisms. Release all anger , hatred, disappointment and other negative feelings from your heart.   Santosha  (contentment ) –Accept the uniqueness of your life and of your Self. Be content with what you have and never compare your life with anyone else’s . Trust that you can create whatever you desire and that there is no need to envy what someone else has. NIYAMAS

8. YogPro   Tapas  (austerity ) –Live a life of great personal discipline . Work hard to purify yourself and you will definitely reap tremendous benefits . Burn away the “IMPURITIES”   Swadhyaya  (study of scriptures ) –Our life is a reflection of the beliefs and impressions we carry in the subconscious. Feed the subconscious with inspiring and positive information and your life will definitely transform. Make time to read something inspirational every day. Also, try to surround yourself with optimistic and inspiring people . Swadhyaya (Self Study) Isvarapranidhana  (surrender to the Supreme ) –Let go of the ego and surrender to the Divine. Trust that your life is unfolding day by day for your highest good. Work hard and do your best at everything but surrender the desire for specific results . Ishwarapranidhana (Dedication / Surrender to god and work without selfish motives and work not for praise) NIYAMAS

9. A sana  –This is the physical practice of yoga comprising of specifically designed postures. Each asana serves to strengthen and rejuvenate not just the external organs but the internal ones as well. Asanas help build a strong body in which a strong mind, a compassionate heart can reside.   ASANA

10. YogPro P ranayama  –In yogic philosophy, it is believed that life is sustained through ‘ Prana .’ Through the practice of certain breathing techniques or pranayama , the flow of prana can be controlled. When prana is controlled, the mind becomes stable and the body becomes healthy. Practice of pranayama is an integral part of any yoga practice. Even during the practice of asanas, the focus is always on proper breathing as this directs prana to the internal and external organs . PRANAYAMA

11. YogPro P ratyahara  (withdrawal of senses) –This implies disconnecting the mind from the constant misleading stimulations of the senses. pratyahara (negation) is willful control of senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch . Well practiced pratyahara leads one to achieve the higher step of Dharana . PRATYAHARA

12. Dharana  (concentration) –‘ Dhar ’ means to hold or to retain. The mind is concentrated on one idea or word to the exclusion of all other words. Fixing the mind on an object is called Dharana . During the practice of asana, dharana is practiced by focusing the mind completely on inhalation and exhalation. When practitioners achieve a high level of mastery over the practice of pratyahara , it becomes easy to achieve a deep level of concentration or dharana . DHARANA

13. YogPro D hyana  (meditation) – Dhyana comes from the Sanskrit word ‘ dhyayi ’ which means to contemplate or meditate. A combination of Pratyahara and Dharana bring about a state of Dhyana in which all thoughts are directed towards the Supreme . Dhyana also known as meditation is the constant flow of thought. This is the ultimate step which of practiced well leads to the highest step called samadhi . DHAYANA

14. S amadhi  (the state of pure happiness) –Samadhi is the highest state of consciousness any individual can attain. It is the merging of the individual Self into the Supreme Consciousness or Universal Soul. This is the ultimate goal of yoga because , in Samadhi, all thoughts, distractions and suffering cease to exist. In Samadhi, the mind is completely transcended. Practice of the seven steps highlighted above leads to the experience of Samadhi. SAMADHI

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