The 8 Limbs of Yoga

Yoga Philosophy - The 8 Limbs of Yoga

Practicing asanas (the poses), is only one of the 8 limbs that make up a full yoga practice and as your yoga teacher, I believe it’s important to share more about yoga philosophy and ways that you can take your yoga practice off the mat whilst also showing you, that you already are 💫

If you’ve been to my classes, you’ll know that I weave a little bit of yogic philosophy into the meditations but here we can delve a little deeper.

The 8 limbs of yoga (Ashtanga Yoga) are a foundational framework outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Each limb represents a step on the path to spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.

Here they are, with a brief explanation of each:

1. Yama (Moral Restraints)
   These are ethical guidelines that govern how we interact with others - like non-violence, truthfulness, and non-possessiveness.

2. Niyama (Personal Observances)
   These are internal disciplines such as cleanliness, contentment, and self-study that cultivate self-awareness and growth.

3. Asana (Physical Postures)
   The practice of physical poses prepares the body for stillness and meditation, promoting health and flexibility.

4. Pranayama (Breath Control)
   This is the regulation of breath to harness life force energy and calm the mind.

5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses)
   By turning the senses inward, we learn to detach from distractions and focus within.

6. Dharana (Concentration)
   This is the practice of focused attention on a single point or object, laying the groundwork for meditation.

7. Dhyana (Meditation)
   A deep, uninterrupted state of contemplation that arises from sustained concentration.

8. Samadhi (Union or Enlightenment)
   The ultimate state of spiritual absorption where the individual self dissolves into universal consciousness.

I’ll share more about each limb and how to take your yoga practice off the mat within this blog so stay tuned for more… 💫