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Again, this is only our interpretation of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. We strive to live in accordance with these values throughout our daily lives. Even if this beautiful science also beholds little secrets that we've yet discovered....
The 8 limbs of Yoga:
According to our understanding Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
1~ Yama, or universal morality:
a) Ahimsa – or nonviolence. This includes non-violence to anyone at any time, or for any reason, in thought, word or deed. In other words, do not think about or engage in harm toward yourself, anyone or anything else.
b) Satya – or truthfulness. In the same case as with Ahimsa, truthfulness and honesty also pertains in your thoughts. Be honest and sincere with yourself.
c) Asteya – or non-possessiveness. This includes not stealing from others or even desiring things from others that are not your own such as material things, ideas and attitudes. In a general sense, non-stealing is cultivating a faire attitude and avoiding unnecessary problems.
d) Bramacharya – or non-lust. Such as the capacity to conserve your energy in all of it’s forms. Traditionally, it referrers to celibacy amongst the unmarried, and in the case of marriage, to abstaining from sexual intercourse with people other than one’s spouse. Many modern yogic practices have adopted a more liberal interpretation of the Bramarcharya guideline.
e) Aparigraha – or non-possessiveness. This refers to a complete conscience of material objects, the things you eat, the people around you, and even your own thoughts just to name a few. It also refers to “non-attachment” to yourself and to your environment, how things are there but not only for your own identification.
2~ Niyamas, self-observation or moral behaviors towards oneself:
a) Saucha – or cleanliness. This relates to cleanliness of both body (“hygiene”) and mind.
b) Santosha – or contentment. When you are content, you are absolutely satisfied with what you have.
c) Tapas – or discipline. Sustained practice over the mind and body.
d) Svadhyaya – or self-study. High self study of scriptures, meditation our emotions and our thought process.
e) Isvara pranidhana – or surrender. Dedicating your practice to the universal forces by coming to realise your dharma.
3~ Asanas – or stable and comfortable body postures. Translated into “staying” or “abiding”.This is th most popular aspect of the eight limbs of yoga and often mistaken in modern times for what yoga practice is entirely (such as a form of “healthy gymnatics”). Pantanjali demonstrates that to achieve a truly rich and complete yoga practice, the physical and mental exercises of yoga are inextricably inter-connected. This means far more than holding or staying physically in a posture. When asanas are performed correctly, they help to still and quiet the mind. They also allow the practitioner to reflect upon a wide range of human emotions as well as one's 'interconnectedness' to one's body with the rest of the world.
4~ Pranayama – breath control or “extension of the ‘prana’ of breath”. More accurately, it’s the “extension of the life force”. In sanskrit, ‘prāna’ means life force or vital energy. ‘Yāma’ means to extend or draw out. Therefore, pranayama is awareness and control of the breath and must be practiced in conjunction with asanas and when meditating.
5~ Pratyahara – or “control of the senses”. It’s described as a “withdrawal of the senses from external objects”. Therefore the practice of Pratyahara is necessary to meditate and to focus the mind away from everyday external distractions. (Sounds, music, smell, sights etc.) By controlling our senses, we are able to fallow our path of internal peace since it becomes easier to look inside to find that stability and tranquility that we need.
6~ Dharana – concentration. Cultivating our inner perceptual awareness. This limb refers to creating the appropriate conditions for the mind to focus its attention in one specific direction, as opposed to being ‘all over the place’. Dharana is achieve through meditation, contemplation and reflection.
7~ Dhyana – meditation on or devotion to. Just like Dharana, Dhyana is achieved through meditation. Once the mind is clear and focused, it then becomes possible to direct our focus onto the ‘Divine spirit’ or 'Universal self'.
8~ Samadhi – a complete union with the Divine. The last and final step in the yogic path. During Samadhi, there is no distinction between the act of meditation and the object of meditation. The mind ceases to distinguish between the self and the non-self. Samadhi can only be achieved through great discipline and practice, beginning with asanas and pranayama, then “paving” the spiritual pathway for the practitioner to achieve Dharana, Dhyana and this state of joy and peace.
~ To deepen your general understanding, I'd recommend The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: A New Translation by Chip Hartranft and Yoga Mala by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
