Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 45 views

    8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga NH 2017

    Uploaded by

    Manja K
    The Eight Limbs of Yoga are an eightfold path described by Sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras that outlines a framework for living a purposeful life through ethical practices, physical postures, breathing exercises, withdrawal of senses, meditation, and ultimately merging individual consciousness with divine consciousness. The eight limbs consist of yamas (moral restraints), niyamas (self-observances), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). Mastering each limb is said to lead to physical, emotional, mental and

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga NH 2017

    Uploaded by

    Manja K
    45 views2 pages
    The Eight Limbs of Yoga are an eightfold path described by Sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras that outlines a framework for living a purposeful life through ethical practices, physical postures, breathing exercises, withdrawal of senses, meditation, and ultimately merging individual consciousness with divine consciousness. The eight limbs consist of yamas (moral restraints), niyamas (self-observances), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). Mastering each limb is said to lead to physical, emotional, mental and

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    8-limbs-of-yoga-Yoga-NH-2017

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The Eight Limbs of Yoga are an eightfold path described by Sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras that outlines a framework for living a purposeful life through ethical practices, physical postures, breathing exercises, withdrawal of senses, meditation, and ultimately merging individual consciousness with divine consciousness. The eight limbs consist of yamas (moral restraints), niyamas (self-observances), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). Mastering each limb is said to lead to physical, emotional, mental and

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    45 views2 pages

    8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga NH 2017

    Uploaded by

    Manja K
    The Eight Limbs of Yoga are an eightfold path described by Sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras that outlines a framework for living a purposeful life through ethical practices, physical postures, breathing exercises, withdrawal of senses, meditation, and ultimately merging individual consciousness with divine consciousness. The eight limbs consist of yamas (moral restraints), niyamas (self-observances), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). Mastering each limb is said to lead to physical, emotional, mental and

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga 

    In the second century C.E., Sage Patanjali compiled 196 aphorisms in four books, or chapters,
    called the Yoga Sutras. In these passages, Patanjali describes the eight aspects of a Yogic Lifestyle
    and called it Ashtanga Yoga or the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The Eight Limbs of Yoga are outlined in the
    second chapter, Sadhana Pada (the chapter on practice): sutras 2.29-2.55, and the beginning of the
    third book, Vibhuti Pada (the chapter on the progression of the practice): sutras 3.1-3.8. The Eight
    Limbs of Yoga are guiding principles on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. They provide
    a foundation of moral and ethical behavior, self-discipline, personal development, attention toward
    one's well-being, and they help bring awareness to how we define and integrate spirituality into
    our lives on and off the mat. The Eight Limbs of Yoga are a pathway that can lead to physical,
    emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being and human flourishing.

    1st limb, Yama: moral code of conduct, the way we interact with others ~ in thoughts, words,
    and behaviors; Nischala Joy Devi interprets the 5 Yamas as a reflection of our true nature.
    Ahimsa – non-violence, not harming, kindness, compassion for all
    Satya – truthfulness, honesty, integrity
    Asteya – non-stealing, not taking from others, big-heartedness
    Brahmacharya – non-excess, awareness of energy
    Aparigraha – non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-attachment, awareness of abundance

    2nd limb, NiYama: self-observation, self-study, self-discipline ~ integration of body, mind, &
    spirit; Nischala Joy Devi interprets the 5 Niyamas as evolution toward harmony
    Saucha – purity, cleanliness
    Santosha – contentment, embracing the moment for what it is, whether difficult or enjoyable
    Tapas – discipline, training the senses of the body & mind
    Svadhyaya – sacred self-examination, contemplation
    Isvara Pranidhana – surrender to the Divine

    3rd limb, Asana: physical posture


    In the West, asana is the most commonly recognized limb of Yoga. Yoga Sutras 2.46-2.48 are related
    to the body being steady and at ease, which can contribute to decreasing the fluctuations of the mind.

    4th limb, Pranayama: energy control


    Prana means life force or energy. Pranayama practices (breathing exercises) have a positive effect on
    the Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest and digest system) and contributes to a calm and focused
    mind. The length of inhalation and exhalation of the breath, and the specific Pranayama practices, are
    chosen based the practitioner’s experience with the practice and/or the imbalance in body and/or mind.
    The goal is to strengthen and cleanse the nervous system and increase our prana.

    5th limb, Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses


    Pratyahara occurs when the practitioner is so focused on the practice (Asana, Pranayama, or
    Meditation) they become unaware of outside distractions. Practices include Restorative Yoga, Yoga
    Nidra, and Guided Meditation.

    www.yoganh.com
    6th limb, Dharana: contemplation, cultivating inner awareness
    Nischala Joy Devi describes Dharana as ‘gathering consciousness and focusing it within’.
    Dharana means "immovable concentration of the mind". Dharana is paying attention and training the
    mind toward one-pointed focus in preparation for Dhyana, or Meditation. Practices include mudra,
    mantra, chanting, and concentrated gazing.

    7th limb, Dhyana: Meditation


    Nischala Joy Devi describes Meditation as ‘the continuous inward flow of consciousness’.
    Stilling the mind in a sustained flow of concentration with the intention to increase awareness and
    cultivate oneness with the universe. Types of Meditation include mindfulness, lovingkindness, mantra,
    present moment, visualization.

    8th limb, Samadhi: deep absorption, to merge


    Nischala Joy Devi describes Samadhi: ‘when individual consciousness unites with the divine
    consciousness and the illusion of separateness dissolves’. It cannot be described, it can only be
    experienced.

    RESOURCES

    Books:
    - Secret Power of Yoga, Nischala Joy Devi
    - The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Sri Swami Satchidananda
    - Yoga: Discipline of Freedom: The Yoga Sutras, Barbara Stoler Miller
    - The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice, Deborah Adele
    - Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga, Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison

    Websites:
    - http://www.swamij.com
    - http://www.expressionsofspirit.com/yoga/eight-limbs.htm, William JD Doran
    - http://www.arlingtoncenter.org/Sanskrit-English.pdf, Chip Hartranft

    www.yoganh.com

    You might also like