YOGA’S EIGHT LIMBS
How much have you learned about the non-physical aspects of yoga?
Many teacher trainings and classes in the West focus only on poses, or maybe poses-plus-breathing, ignoring many other fundamental aspects of the ancient practice.
That was me until just a few years ago.
In my thirteen years of teaching, I focused only on asana (postures and movements), pranayama (breathing), and meditation (dhyana), … choosing not to teach about the other, just as fundamental-to-yoga aspect of yoga.
Things Like The Chakras (Energy Centers), Koshas (Energy Bodies), Japa (The Repetition Of Mantras), Or The Many Yamas And Niyamas (Virtuous Observances, Such As Non-Violence) Were Excluded, Even Though I Had Been Taught Them In The 500-hour Training I Attended.
Essentially, I cherry-picked what my western audience would like, and chose not to teach other aspects - the yogic philosophy, ethical observances, esoteric anatomy, and other roots of the South Asian practice.
Not Cool.
And on top, I actually felt proud that I at least included breathwork and mindfulness in every class, instead of seeing how that was just the beginning of how I could honor and embrace the whole of the practice.
As I learn about decolonizing yoga, I see now how I was disrespecting the tradition that we love so very much, and I share this in today’s blog, because I’m starting to see how to do better (not because I've finished my education on cultural appropriation in yoga!). I simply hope I might inspire you as well.
The Other 7 Limbs
So, to celebrate International Yoga Month, let’s review the seven other limbs of yoga besides postures, - the thing everyone thinks of when they think “yoga,” to begin to see how these too are just as foundational and amazing as the poses.
Yamas:
The first limb of yoga is Yama, which consists of five ethical principles that guide our behavior towards others. These principles include Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation), and Aparigraha (non-greed). So, the foundation of yoga is ethical treatment of others.
Niyama:
The second limb of yoga is Niyama, which consists of five personal practices that guide our behavior towards ourselves. These practices include Saucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to a higher power). Another foundational aspect of yoga is purity of mind and body.
Asana:
The third limb of yoga is Asana, which refers to the physical postures practiced in yoga. Asanas are designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. While the physical benefits of asanas are widely known, it’s not as commonly understood that yoga poses were originally intended to prepare the body for meditation and spiritual practices.
Pranayama:
The fourth limb of yoga is Pranayama, which refers to breath mastery techniques. Pranayama involves regulating the breath to improve physical and mental health, as well as calm the mind and prepare for meditation. It’s a super potent yoga tool, with multiple techniques.
Pratyahara:
The fifth limb of yoga is Pratyahara, which involves withdrawing the senses from external stimuli. This practice helps to cultivate inner awareness and mindfulness, which can help us to better understand ourselves and our emotions, and help us to regulate ourselves when we’re off the mat, out in the world.
Dharana:
The sixth limb of yoga is Dharana, which involves developing the ability to concentrate the mind on a single point. The practice of Dharana helps to quiet the mind and improve focus, which can lead to deeper levels of meditation, the ultimate goal of yoga.
Dhyana:
The seventh limb of yoga is Dhyana, which refers to meditation. Meditation involves focusing the mind on a particular object (such as the breath or an image, chant, or idea), and can help to cultivate inner peace, clarity, and insight that love is our true nature.
Samadhi:
The final limb of yoga refers to enlightenment, or the union with the divine, the ultimate goal of yoga. It’s a state of complete spiritual realization and liberation from suffering.
