The 8 limbs of yoga
1. The yamas ( restraints ),
These are like "Morals" you live your life by : Your social conduct :
* Nonviolence ( ahimsa ) - To not hurt a living creature
* Nonlust ( brahmacharya ) - avoid incomprehensible sexual encounters - moderation in sex and all things.
* Nonpossessiveness or non-greed ( aparigraha ) - don't hoard, liberate your self from gluttony and material needs
2. Niyamas ( observances ),
These are how we treat ourselves, our inner discipline :
* Purity ( shauca ). Achieving pureness through the practice of the 5 Yamas. Treating your body as a church and taking care of it.
* Happiness ( santosha ). Find contentment in what you have and what you do. Accept accountability for where you are, seek contentment in the instant and decide to grow.
* Austerity ( tapas ) : Develop self discipline. Show discipline in body, speech, and mind to try for a higher religious purpose.
* Study of the sacred text ( svadhyaya ). Education. Study books applicable to you which provoke and teach you.
* existing with an awareness of the Divine ( ishvara-pranidhana ). Be dedicated to whatever is your god or whatever you see as the divine.
3. Asana ( postures ) –
These are the postures of yoga :
* to form a pliant body to sit for a lengthy time and still the mind. If you can control the body you may also control the mind. Patanjali and other traditional yogis used asana to prepare the body for meditation.
Just the practice of the yoga poses can benefit one's health. It can be started at any point and any age. As we become older we stiffen, can you remember the last time you'll have squatted down to choose something up and how you felt? Imagine as you get older into your 50's, sixties, seventies and on having the ability to still touch your feet or balance on one leg. Are you aware that the bulk of injuries suffered by the aged are from falls? We have a tendency to lose our balance as we get older and to practice something which will help this is certainly an advantage. The 4th limb, breath control is a good car to use if you have an interest in learning meditation and relaxation.......
4. Pranayama ( respiring ) – the control over breath :
inhalation, retention of breath, and exhalation
* The practice of respiring makes it better to concentrate and meditate. Prana is the energy that exists everywhere, it is the life force that flows thru every one of us thru our breath.
5. Pratyahara ( withdrawal of senses ),
o Pratyahara is a withdrawal of the senses. It happens during meditation, breathing exercises, or the practice of yoga poses. When you master Pratyahara you'll be ready to focus and concentrate and not be distracted by outward sensory.
6. Dharana ( concentration ), - teaching the mind to focus.
* When concentrating there's no sense of time. The target is to still the mind e.g. Fixing the mind on one object and pushing any thoughts. True dharana is when the mind can concentrate easily.
7. Dhyani ( meditation ), - the state of meditation
* Concentration ( dharana ) leads to the state of meditation. In meditation, one has an increased sense of awareness and is one with the universe. It is being oblivious of any diversions.
8. Samadhi ( assimilation ), - total exhilaration o unreserved bliss is the final target of meditation. This is a condition of union with yourself and your god or the devine, this is when you and the universe are one.
All eight limbs work together : The first 5 are about the body and brain- yama, niyama asana, pranayama, and pratyahara - these are the foundations of yoga and supply a platform for a non secular life. The last 3 are about reconditioning the mind. They were designed to help the expert to reach enlightenment or oneness with Spirit.