There is more to Yoga than meets the eye. As per the Yogasutras by Patanjali there are eight limbs to Yoga; which when followed will help you reach your full potential. Most often, Yoga asanas are the only aspect most people focus on which focus on the physical aspect or our bodies.
Yamas are the principles that teach us how to treat others and the world around us. Niyamas are the disciplined habits which we need to follow. In this article we look at the various aspects of Yamas and Niyamas which we as Yoga Sadhakas need to imbibe in our lives.
Ahimsa (non-violence)
This limb of Yoga focuses on non violence or going the vegan way. It is also about caring for others as an extension of us. In terms of following a diet, it is prescribed that we follow a sattvic diet if possible.
Though not compulsory but being vegetarian definitely helps us follow the Yogic way. What is eat is what we feel. Also, what to eat when and how is also an important aspect of Yoga.
Satya (truthfulness)
Being truthful and real helps us deal with people in an authentic way. As we go deep within in silence we get in touch with our true self. In the material world, we all wear masks depending on who we’re interacting with. Yoga asks us to drop the mask and find our true, authentic self — and to act from this self. Let’s talk soul to soul without fear and touch base with reality.
Asteya (non-stealing)
This principal is about maintaining a balance in life in terms of time, resources and energy. Always maintain boundaries and a balance in give and take. Take the middle path.
This even applies to the environment and climate. When we take from nature, we need to give back in some way to maintain the balance. If you cut a tree then plant one.
Aparigraha (non-hoarding)
The principle of non-hoarding is all about greed and abundance. Holding on to things, wealth and people does not serve any good. Greed stems from a scarcity mentality. It has been said that greed is the root of all evil.
Each one of us must allow money, items, and other blessings to flow in and out of our lives with ease. Aparigraha should be a part of our society and lives. Help, mutual aid and sustainability should be the foundation to remove resource disparity.
Niyamas
Niyamas are the standards by which we should practice self-discipline.
Saucha (cleanliness)
Eating right, cleanliness, moving clutter from our lives refers to Saucha. Making sure our body system is clean, toxins free and our thoughts are pure and positive.
Continued practice of yoga, meditation and silence within will help us become clear channels for the divine to speak through us.
Santosha (contentment)
In the materialistic world we have forgotten the meaning of the word contentment. We must practice the ability to feel completely content with the way everything is right now in this very moment.
When we can just sit and feel complete with how things are in the present, we are practicing yoga.
Tapas (heat)
The saying is that practice makes perfect, and the reason for this is because repeated effort yields mastery of that which we are attempting to learn.
Tapasya reminds us that sometimes the process of mastery can be painful, but this pain (or heat) can be used to fuel our practice, and allow us to grow and learn from it.
Svadhyaya (self-knowledge)
Knowing yourself and diving inwards towards our consciousness is the journey of a Yoga sadhak. Yoga is more of a inside out process. It is not just a workout as goes in the western view of Yoga.
Regular Asanas will help us achieve our dream body but true Yoga is the union of mind and body. Listening to our inner voice, controlling the inner noise and going into silence.
Ishvarapranidhana (full surrender to the divine)
Surrender to a higher power that is greater than us. There are many events, things, circumstances which are beyond our control. Surrender will help us accept and suffer less.
Navigate life with humility and awe and don’t try to control everything.
Asana
Asana is the practice of the yoga postures.
Pantanjali taught the physical practice of yoga as movements that are meant to be done with ease and joy. He taught that its important to take your time with each pose, and move from pose to pose.
Yoga is to be done with a relaxed mind and not as a strenuous workout which can push students past their limitations.
Daily asana results in increased wellness in the body and mind.
Pranayama
Pranayama is breath control.
Yoga theory states that breath is the way we take in and interact with the subtle life force energy that surrounds us. When we’re able to make breathing a mindful practice, we’re able to invigorate our bodies with this life force and change the way that our central nervous system reacts to stress.
The original formula for breath control is a 1:4:2 ratio. Inhale (Purak, in Sanskrit) for 1 second, retain the breath in the body for4 seconds (Kumbhak, in Sanskrit) and exhale for 2 seconds (Rechak, in Sanksrit).
Advanced breath work also incorporates different bandhas (binds) in the body. If you seek to learn more about these binds, please do so with a professional yoga teacher who is well versed in this type of instruction.
Pratyahara
Pratyahara is sense withdrawal. This technique teaches us the way to journey inward and find ultimate peacefulness.
The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu scripture, says our senses are likened to a boat on water. Each time the five senses are enraptured with external objects, the boat is swayed by the tumultuous waves of sense perception.
When we cut our senses off from the external world, we are able to dive within ourselves to the vast universe that lies inside us.
Each time we sit with ourselves and curiously inquire within, we combat the harmfulness of constant externalization of the mind via social media, the news, and consumerism.
The easiest way to practice pratyahara is to close your eyes while practicing asana.
Dharana
Dharana means concentration. Single, pointed focus of the mind aids in deep meditation.
You may choose to look at a candle, a deity statue, or another unmoving object during meditation in order to train the mind in this way. Once the mind has learned focus during meditation, we can take this type of concentration into our daily lives.
When we are able to do a task and focus all of our energy on it, we’re able to perform it well and with care.
Dhyana
Dhyana is meditation. However, meditation is more a state that overcomes us, rather than something that we do.
There have probably been times you were riding a bicycle or reading a book and you felt an immense sense of peace, clarity, and stillness. The truth is, you were meditating. You were fully engrossed in the present moment. Dhyana simply asks us to set aside time each day to invite meditation into our minds and hearts.
We can improve our chances of experiencing meditation by sitting in a quiet space and using pranayama, pratyahara, and dharana in unison.
Samadhi
Finally, samadhi is enlightenment.
Once we have mastered the we are then able to accomplish the most important facet of life i.e Samadhi. eight limbs of yoga is meant to take us from doing-ness to being-ness.
Samadhi is about being detached from the past and future. Yogis perform an action with love and full presence. They do not dwell on the outcome.