When most people approach yoga they think of yoga classes, yoga pants, yoga mats, and flexible bodies. What few realize is that there is more to yoga than the poses. Yoga actually is a life style, and that image we have in our heads of yoga is just a part of that lifestyle. Here to help guide us through this lifestyle are the 8 Limbs of Yoga: Yamas, Niyamas. Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Sounds overwhelming, but it isn't. Much of this (as you will see) most of us use in our daily lives at least to some degree. Lets go over what these 8 limbs are and how you can incorporate them into your life!
The 5 Yamas: There are 5 yamas of yoga that guide us in conducting ourselves with others and the world.
Aparigraha: Non greed. This yama lends to the minimalist lifestyle that many people are adopting now. It is about self control with your environment, and with others. You don't want to be greedy with other's attention or their energy.
Brahmacharya: Directing your energy is very important. You don't want to spread you negativity to others. On the other hand spreading your joyful energy isn't' so bad. It is very important, however, to remember that even this can be over whelming to some people who are sensitive to the energies of other. Be mindful of how you are directing your energy.
Asteya: Don't steal. This is an obvious one maybe, it is illegal to steal, but just like with Brahmacharya this also very much refers to energy transfer. It is easy to draw on other's energies without their permission. This can happen without us realizing it too, so it is important to be mindful of energy transfers. Do your research and learn about how to control your energy if this is unfamiliar to you (there will be a blog post in the near future about this as well).
Satya: Truth. Tell the truth and live the truth. This goes beyond just not telling a lie. You want to live a life that is YOUR truth. This yama is linked (in my mind) to Svadhaya which is one of the niyamas that is about self study.
Ahimsa: Do no harm. Don't harm yourself, others, or the world around you. This is why you will find devote yogis as vegetarians or vegans. It is in how you take care of the earth by managing your waste and using natural products, it is in how you are mindful that you don't put harmful substances in your body, and it is in how you watch what you say to others and yourself.
The 5 Niyamas: Niyamas are how we treat ourselves and manage our lives.
Ishvara Pranidhana: Stay humble. Surrender to the divine self and the Universe. Understand the whole of all things, the unity. This is about letting go of the ego.
Svadhaya: Study yourself and the spiritual teachings that you follow (in traditional yoga this refers to Buddha's teachings but if you don't identify with that path find your own)
Tapas: Do your best. Self discipline. Keep to your commitments and don't over commit. But dedication in what you do.
Santosha: Be content. Accept the way things are and know what you can and can't change. Be happy without needing things to change.
Saucha: Purity. Cleanliness of your mind and your environment. Are your thoughts pure, your actions and your words. Is your environment tidy and clean so that the energy around you can flow in a healthy state?
Asana: Here we find what we are all familiar with when we hear the word yoga. The postures we do, or asanas, are important because it puts us in a place were we use all the 8 limbs of yoga. It reminds us of how we should be living our lives. We will often find that our state of mind and how we move on them will correlate to how we are off the mat. That is why it isn't so much about doing perfect poses but how we are connecting to ourselves while doing them.
Pranayama: The regulation of our breath is so important. It keeps us in the moment and has many health benefits. Breath is just as important off the mat as it is when we are doing our asana flows.
Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the scenes. This means to regulate the stimuli around you. Take time when you can to withdraw and be in silence. Don't simulate your body with harsh flavors of food or textures. Find time to neutralize what your body experiences.
Dharana: Focus. Concentration of the mind is part of awareness. Gently guiding your mind to stay focused on the moment no matter what it is that you are doing. Doing this will not just help you stay mindful but will help your focus all around at work and at school.
Dhyana: Meditation. Meditation is essential to a yogi lifestyle. Daily meditation will change your life in many ways and bring you true peace.
Samadhi: Enlightenment. Liberation from the ego. This isn't one big event that lasts. Many people will have moments of enlightenment that are fleeting, some will find it for a time then it will go. Finding enlightenment is a life long journey. It is impossible to let go of the ego completely while alive because we still need eat, go to the bathroom, work, interact, deal with emotions, etc....but even reaching a fleeting enlightenment will bring you to higher place of knowledge that will last you a life time.
As with all things the yogic lifestyle is a journey. You don't have to be a Buddhist monk to live "properly". Only you know what is the right way for you to live your life. Take a little bit from each limb and apply to your life if that is what feels right to you, or go for a life altering change and devote yourself to that path. It is up to you!
Namaste,
Shannon