Yoga Philosophy – The 8 Limbs
We often hear Yoga teachers talking about the 8 limbs of Yoga. What are these anyway? Maharishi Patanjali outlined the 8 limbs of Yoga in the Yoga Sutras about 2,500 years ago. The 8 limbs are the stepping stones to enlightenment, or as he puts it Moksha. While they are generally spoken and taught in a linear manner, they are non-linear. They are:
- Yama – The restraint of animal instincts
- Niyama – Embracing our human nature
- Asana – Physical practice
- Pranayama – Breath control
- Pratyahara – Sensory control/fulfillment
- Dharana – Concentration/focus of the mind
- Dhyana – Absorption/meditation
- Samadhi – Cosmic consciousness
While the 8 limbs are usually taught in a linear fashion they are anything but. We are ususally practicing more than one limb at a time even if we are unaware of doing so!