Patanjali s 8 Limbs Of Yoga
Patanjali presented 8 disciplines to yoga. These must be practiced in order to become aware of one’s true self. Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga include;
- Yama - Social behavior which is the moral principles of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non-lust and non-possessiveness.
- Niyama – Inner discipline which includes purity, contentment, austerity, study of the scriptures and awareness of the divine.
- Asana – Practice of the yoga postures.
- Pranayama – Prana is energy which is present everywhere and which flows through us through breathing. Pranayama refers to the control of breath.
- Pratyahara – Withdrawal and control over the human senses. This occurs while meditating, practicing yoga postures and breathing.
- Dharana – Concentration on a particular point or object to keep the mind free of distraction.
- Dhyana – Meditation in order to attain a state of heightened awareness.
- Samadhi – A higher state of being or bliss in which the ego ceases to exist and the true, pure nature of an individual emerges.
The yoga philosophy of patanjali which comprises the sutras is still considered to be one of the most enlightening studies of human awareness. By reading the patanjali yoga sutras in Sanskrit or in English at home or at a patanjali yoga center, you can learn the correct method of yoga practice.
