Now, the teachings of Yoga

The Yoga Sutras, a set of scriptures that outline the eight-limbed path of Yoga written by the sage Patanjali at least 4000 years ago, is 196 verses or aphorisms that lay out instructions for how to overcome challenges, live a spiritual and moral life, and attain inner peace.

Patanjali’s eight limbs are Yamas (5 external observances), Niyamas (5 internal observances), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dyana (meditation), and Samadhi (enlightenment). Although this could be considered step-by-step instructions, or a progression from limb to limb, each limb supports the others and develops simultaneously.

I present this very quick and not overly in-depth look at these limbs.

First, we have the 5 Yamas or external disciplines. The Yamas outline how we conduct ourselves when we’re in the world. They guide us toward actions that benefit society as a whole. They are Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, abstinence, non-hoarding)

Everything is about balance. The Yamas describe your relationship with the outside world, and the 5 Niyamas describe practices or actions that develop your relationship with yourself. These Niyamas are Sauca, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, and Isvara-pranidhana. (Purity, Contentment, Discipline, Self-Study, and Surrender to a higher power)

Rooted in Yoga ethics, we move into the body with Asana. Quite literally sitting in stillness with ease.

Pranayama is breath control. Even the subtle act of observing the breath in the natural flow is Pranayama.

Pratyahara is the withdrawal of the senses. Our senses help us navigate this world and are the tools we use to self-identify with objects and experiences. Turn them inward to observe breath and body, and we begin to see Yoga unfold within us.

From Pratyahara, Dharana rises. These two limbs are directly related to each other. Withdrawing our senses and turning inward takes concentration - which is Dharana.

It is challenging to define meditation. Dyana is reaching a place where your meditation has merged with your consciousness.

Samadhi is bliss or enlightenment. It’s the highest state of consciousness we can achieve through meditation. When the separation of mind, body, and object no longer exists.

The eight limbs of Yoga pour into each other, developing simultaneously. The practice of Yoga is an experiential one. We can read all the teachings and the methods, but without doing the thing, we’re just accumulating theoretical knowledge.

Embarking on the journey of the self, through the self, and to the self is almost like an adventure story: We encounter challenges, exposing sometimes hard truths, and discomfort will arise, but these moments of darkness bring us closer to our True Self.