According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, there is an 8-part system that helps us to liberate ourselves and achieve happiness in life. This system is known as the 8 limbs of Yoga.
Although they can be practiced independently, all the limbs are complementary and influence each other. So each step prepares the body and mind for enlightenment.
Also, practicing one or more of these branches will not only help make your yoga and meditation practices stronger, but it will help you reach that state of well-being and self-realization.
These are the 8 limbs of yoga:
-Yamas: Ethical principles of behavior or moral vows.
-Niyamas: The practice of qualities that help us raise our consciousness and be better with ourselves.
-Asanas: Physical exercise or postures.
-Pranayama: Breath control.
-Pratyahara: Sense control and isolation from external stimuli.
-Dharana: Concentration
-Dhyana: Meditation
-Samadhi: Pure happiness or enlightenment
Yamas
The Yamas are the ethical principles of behavior or moral vows that we must follow when interacting with others and the environment. However, they are not dogmas that carry a punishment for their violation. There are five Yamas:
-Ahimsa: non-violence
-Satya: honesty
-Asteya: not stealing
-Brahmacharya: balanced use of energy
-Aparigraha: not possession
Niyamas
The Niyamas represent personal observation, that is, the reflection of our daily thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They form a code of conduct to bring us closer to who we really are. There are also 5 Niyamas:
-Saucha: cleanliness and purity of body and mind.
-Santosha: joy, happiness, and optimism.
-Tapas: austerity, perseverance, and enthusiasm.
-Swadhaya: self-reflection
-Iswara Pranidhana: surrender to the divine.
Asanas
The third limb is the asana. Therefore, this is the best known of all parts and refers to the physical exercise or postures that are performed for physical, spiritual, and emotional strengthening.
The asana also refers to the preparation of the body for meditation. Also, it is about learning how to control the body in different postures for long periods to prevent it from becoming a distraction for meditation.
Pranayama
Prana is the energy and the source of life of our body. Pranayama is the control of breath. So, by learning to control our breathing, we can relax and calm our minds, and vice versa.
For instance, this limb allows the yogi to focus, find calm, and increase his energies to avoid distraction, promoting concentration on the retention, inhalation, and exhalation of air.
Pratyahara
Pratyahara is the control of the senses and the isolation of external stimuli: noise, thoughts, smells, distractions, etc. In fact, the mind is stimulated by the senses, and Pratyahara teaches us to isolate ourselves from any stimulus and helps us to concentrate.
Dharana
Dharana means concentration. Concentration involves bringing thought in one place.
With this practice, the mind is fixed on an object that helps us to meditate. This object can be physical, like a tree or a sound element, a mandala, or a mantra. In other words, it is about finding concentration without effort.
Dhyana
When we isolate ourselves from the stimuli of the world (Pratyahara) and manage to center our mind on an object (Dharana), we can manage to enter a state of meditation (Dhyana).
Also, it is not only about being calm, but rather to bring this calm to all aspects of our life, in every moment of it. Meditation can be used to combat physical illness, psychological problems, as well as to improve the perception we have of reality.
Samadhi
Patanjali referred to Samadhi as the state of spiritual self-realization. It can also be described as a state of total harmony, of infinite peace and universal love. But, the achievement of Samadhi is a difficult task.
Physical exercise and breath control, influence mental activities and create space in the crowded schedule of the mind. For this reason, the Yoga Sutras suggests the practice of Asanas and Pranayama as preparation for Dharana (concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness). Once Dharana has occurred, Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi can follow.