What is Yoga??

Let's think about this for a moment. Legit, take a moment and define yoga in your own words. When I first started practicing, I defined it as a physical practice. A series of postures to build strength and flexibility. Simply put, to me, it was a form of exercise. For some of you, maybe you also defined it as such. Or maybe the first thing that popped into your mind was mediation or breathwork. Maybe it was all three. Perhaps it was something different all together. Chances are, whatever definition you gave it, it is correct to some degree. I'll explain why in just a little bit.

I love this quote from B.K.S. Iyengar. He said, "Words fail to convey the total value of yoga. It has to be experienced." These words are magical to me. Throughout the articles that I publish on my blog, I will do my best at sharing my knowledge. I will give you resources that you can use to deepen your understanding. With that being said, you will need to experience yoga to really be able to define it.

Yoga itself has been interpreted differently throughout the centuries. Yes, my yogi friends, yoga has been around for thousands of years originating in India. The definition that is widely used is to "yoke" or "unite" using breath work and movement to connect the mind and body with the Divine. Still, I feel that does not nearly describe what yoga is. So, rather than focusing on a definition, let's look at how you can live the path of yoga. Not to DO yoga but to LIVE yoga.

Typically, we begin practicing yoga based off of where we are at in our lives and where we want to make a change. The beauty of yoga is it takes each person in a different direction and is as unique as you are. Through yoga, you'll learn the key importance of self-care and self-reflection. There is no one way to begin practicing yoga. Eventually one path will lead you towards another.

So, what is the path of yoga? Have you ever encountered something so profound that you began to incorporate it into your life immediately? For me, that was the 8-fold path to yoga outlined by the great sage, Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras. I wish I could have met Patanjali in person. Been able to experience his gift of knowledge firsthand. However, I am grateful for all those after him that have and continue to bless us with his teachings.

In words, it's quite simple. In reality, not so much as each of the 8 limbs of yoga play an important role in becoming more aware of the nature of our being. They act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life; they direct attention towards one's health; and is the process for one to reach clarity or enlightenment in the spiritual aspects of our nature.

8 Limbs of Yoga

1.Yamas

The first limbs of the 8 limbs of yoga, yama, is our restraints or our attitude towards our environment. Essentially, it focuses on one's ethical standards and our sense of integrity. I'm certain throughout your lifetime you've heard "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The 5 yamas are all about living that golden rule.

The five yamas consist of:

1. Ahimsa: non-violence

2. Satya: truthfulness

3. Asteya: non-stealing

4. Brahmacharya: moderation

5. Aparigraha: non-attachment

2.Niyamas

There are also 5 niyamas and they make up the second limb. They are adherences or our attitude towards ourselves. I love how David McGrath describes the niyamas in his book, The Yogi's Way: Living in Accord with the Yamas and Niyamas. He says, "The five niyamas support us to nurture greater personal health and well-being, self-control, and mental clarity". He also stated that the "five niyamas outline specific practices to help us deal with our inner world and to awaken to greater emotional maturity and insight." WOW!

The five niyamas consist of:

1. Saucha: purity or cleanliness

2. Samtosa: contentment

3. Tapas: self-discipline

4. Svadhyaya: self-study

5. Isvara pranidhana: surrender

3.Asana

Asana is the practice of body exercises or physical postures making up the third of the 8 limbs of yoga. Through yoga, the body is viewed as a temple. By taking care of the of the temple (body), we develop the habit of discipline and concentration which in return, supports control and mental focus in preparation for dhyana (meditation).

4.Pranayama

The fourth limb, pranayama, can be described as breath awareness and regulation. Simply put, breath control. It is also considered the movement of energy or life force within the body helping to remove toxins, experiencing rejuvenation and extending life itself.

5.Pratyahara

Pratyahara, the fifth of the 8 limbs of yoga, means the restraint of our senses. It is during this limb that we make the conscious effort to draw our awareness away from the external world and outside stimuli. A detachment from our senses gives us the ability to fully direct our attention internally to observe our cravings and habits.

6.Dharana

The sixth limb, dharana, is the ability to direct our minds. In this limb, we slow down the thinking process, focusing or concentrating on a single mental object preparing for meditation or dhyana. Outside stimuli has no effect as we focus on a single point.

7.Dhyana

Dhyana or meditation makes up the seventh limb. One could confuse dharana and dhyana to be one and the same. Dharana is the process of shifting between states of focus and distraction preparing for dhyana. In dhyana, the mind is quieted producing little to no thoughts at all. This phase takes complete control and is quite remarkable.

8.Samadhi

The final stage of the 8 limbs of yoga is Samadhi. A complete integration with the object to be understood. It is described by Patanjali as a state of ecstasy. It is the ultimate goal of yoga. An individual becomes one with the Universe in total bliss, experiencing a profound connection to the Divine. It is a union (yoga) between thought, mind, body and object of awareness.

In conclusion, there is no right or wrong way to begin your yoga journey. These 8 limbs are not intended to be completed systematically like a checklist. There is no timeframe as this will most likely become a lifelong journey. Stay tuned for my next article where I dive more in-depth into the 5 Yamas; what they are and how to begin implementing them into your everyday life on and beyond the mat.

P.S. If you're anything like me and cannot wait until the next article, I highly recommend purchasing "The Yamas & Niyamas - Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice" by Deborah Adele. You can purchase it on Amazon by clicking this link- https://amzn.to/4ekfJoa. It was one of my required readings in my yoga teacher training. I loved that it was an easy and fast read with questions for exploration at the end of each chapter. If you want to skip the book, there are many resources on the web. I still love the feel of a book in my hand. Not to mention I can make notes and highlight. :)

Thank you for reading!

Peace and love,

Karen