Ashtanga Yoga (The Eight-Limbed Yoga)

Yoga is surrendering to the Supreme Lord and constantly remembering him. It is not an exercise process which people are portraying.

Yoga originated in India over five thousand years ago. Yoga history can be traced to the Vedic period, approximately 3000 BCE, and specifically to the Rig Veda - the oldest written book in the world.

Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy. The date of its origin is difficult to pinpoint, as the actual era from which this knowledge came is much less important than the knowledge itself.

The word “yoga” is a Sanskrit term that has many meanings. The word is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj” – to yoke or harness.

One would bring an ox under control by harnessing it to a wagon in India. Similarly, yoga can be viewed as training and uniting the body, mind and spirit. It has been practised over the centuries in many different forms.

Ashtanga yoga literally means “8 limbs yoga. ” These limbs are defined in the second chapter of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

The following are the 8 practices or limbs:

1. yama (moral restraints) – how we relate to others

2. niyama (observances) – how we relate to ourselves

3. āsana (posture) – how we relate to our body

4. prāṇāyāma (breath extension) – how we relate to our breath or spirit

5. pratyāhāra (sensory withdrawal) – how we relate to our sense organs

6. dhāraṇā (concentration) – how we relate to our mind

7. dhyāna (meditation) – moving beyond the mind

8. samādhi (meditative absorption) – profound realization and inner union

The "Yamas" or the first limb consists of five parts: ahimsā (non-harming), Satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), bramacharya (directing one’s energy towards the Divine), aparigraha (greedlessness, non-hoarding).

The "Niyamas" the second limb also contains five aspects: śauca (purity), santoṣa (contentment), tapas (purifying practices), svādhyāya (self-study, and the study of sacred texts), Īśvara praṇidhāna (surrender to the Divine, Universal Self).

The "Āsanas" we practice have been given to us by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who believes it necessary to enter into the 8 limbs through the physical postures.

The first four limbs are often called “external yoga,” and the last four are called “internal yoga.” The fifth limb, pratyāhāra, acts as a bridge between the external and internal limbs.

As students of yoga we are able to actively practice the external limbs, believing the internal limbs are the fruits of a sincere and continual practice.

These final limbs of our practice are a manifestation of grace that arise spontaneously, and are not something we can bring about through our own efforts.

The eight limbs are interconnected and not separate steps along this path. Whether one starts by practising the physical postures, breath awareness, or mindfulness in the daily practice of the yamas and niyamas, each limb encourages growth in the others.

As the body becomes steady and at ease, the breath comes under control, and the mind begins to experience moments of clarity, and peace.