Introduction to the 8 Limbed Path & Meanings 

According to Patanjali’s system, yoga is based on 8 spiritual practices: 

Yama – universal ethical principles

Abstaining from harming others through wrongdoing, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, not wasting our energy, abstention from greed or hoarding.

Niyama – rules of personal conduct

Principles for our own daily lives, including purity or cleanliness, contentment, discipline, study, devotion

Asana – the practice of asanas

Seat or posture, yoga poses.

Pranayama – the practice of yoga breathing techniques

Mastering and enlivening the life force.

Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses

Inner reflection.

Dharana – a willing concentration of the mind on one object

Focused attention, one pointed concentration.

Dhyana – meditation

Meditation, continuous flow, a natural state where the mind becomes stable on one object without any effort.

Samadhi – Spiritual absorption

Freedom, liberation, enlightenment.

These two first limbs are the very foundations and important limbs of Yoga and the whole practice, remember it is far beyond the asanas.Let's take a look how these can help you in your daily life, your relationship with yourself, others, and as a yoga practitioner or teacher.

Yamas

Yama is your attitude towards others and the world around you. There are 5 Yamas:

Ahimsa

Non-violence. This Yama does not only mean not doing harm to others in action, but thought and speech equally. Also it is not limited to non-violence against other human beings, but practicing kindness to other creatures (animals) as well as yourself.

Satya

Truthfulness. Satya is the Yama that is about living a truthful life without doing harm to others. Therefore, think before you speak and consider the consequences of your actions. If the truth could harm others, it might be better to keep silent. Also, it would entail living your own truth and not merely pleasing others throughout your life.

Asteya

Non-stealing. Non-stealing here not only refers to material objects but also the stealing of others thoughts, ideas or other possessions.

Bramacharya

Non-lust. Bramacharya means divine routine, to move toward the essential truth. Historically, it was (and sometimes still is) translated as self-control and abstinence regarding sexual activity. However, at the same time it is known that many yogis had families and children. Thus it might be interpreted as moderation regarding giving in to our excessive desires.

Aparigraha

Non-possessiveness. This Yama is about living a life free from greed. It teaches us only to take what is necessary and not to take advantage of others.

Niyamas

Niyama is how you treat yourself or your attitude towards yourself. The following are the five Niyamas:

Sauca

Cleanliness. This Niyama is concerned with inner and outer cleanliness. The practice of pranayamas, asanas, kriyas, and meditation are necessary to achieve inner cleanliness, of the body and mind. Also remain aware of outer cleanliness like the space you live in, the surroundings, and actually the whole of the environment.

Santosha

Contentment. Santosha refers to practicing humility, modesty and being at peace with what you have and who you are.

Tapas

Austerity. This Niyama teaches us to keep the body in good condition. Tapas is practiced through disciplining the body, speech, and mind like eating only when hungry and maintaining a good posture. Also, it is translated often as perseverance, not giving up too easily, especially on the spiritual path.

Svadhyaya

Study of the sacred text and of one’s self. This involves studying yourself and therefore anything that can help you on that path.

Ishvara Pranidhana

Living with an awareness of the Divine. This Niyama encourages us to let go of our false sense of the Self and control and to always be aware of a higher sense of consciousness that which gives us the sense of wholeness.

These are great foundational principles to read and read again, truly absorb and think carefully about how you can bring these into balance in your own body, mind and soul. In our next blog, we will get into more depth on these areas and what they mean for our practice!