eight limbs of yoga
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi
Yoga Sutra 3.3 “tad eva artha matra nirbhasam svarupa shunyam iva samadhih” Last month we explored the fifth limb: Pratyahara. This month, we move on to the last three limbs: Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. We bucket the last three limbs together into one,…
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Pratyahara
Yoga Sutra 2.55 “tatah parama vashyata indriyanam“ Last month we explored the fourth limb: Pranayama. This month, we move on to the fifth limb: Pratyahara. Pratyahara is the action of turning in, and simultaneously mastering the quieting of the mind. By reducing…
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Pranayama
Yoga Sutra 2.49 “tasmin sati shvasa prashvsayoh gati vichchhedah pranayamah” Last month we explored the third limb: Asana. This month, we move on to the fourth limb: Pranayama. Pranayama is breath work. It is said that engaging in Pranayama allows us to clear…
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Asana
Yoga Sutra 2.46 “sthira sukham asanam” Last month we explored the second limb: Niyamas. This month, we move on to the third limb: Asana. Asana is the physical practice of yoga. It is said that the reason why we practice each posture, and…
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Niyamas
Yoga Sutra 2.32“shaucha santosha tapah svadhyaya ishvarapranidhana niyamah” Last month we explored the first limb of the The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Yamas. This month, we move on to the five Niyamas. The Niyamas are the practices of self-training, and deal with our personal, inner…
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Yamas
Yoga Sutra 2.30 “ahimsa satya asteya brahmacharya aparigraha yama” As we posted last month, The Eight Limbs of Yoga are the building blocks of the practice. They can be seen as steps, or different avenues, that lead to the ultimate goal: happiness. This month…