Yoga has evolved quite a bit over the centuries. This eight-limbed system comes from the Yoga Sutras, which were written during the 3rd century BCE. What follows is a brief overview; more detail on each limb can be found by clicking on their respective links in the text below.
As you can see, the poses we practice make up just one limb, asana. In a typical yoga class, we also work with breath (pranayama), concentration (dharana), and possibly some meditation, too (dhyana). Pratyahara refers to the controlled withdrawal of the senses, which allows us to be immersed fully in our inner world, undistracted by what our senses are picking up from the world around us. Samadhi is a state of bliss that occurs when we are in union with the Divine, fully immersed in the moment, open and accepting. Samadhi is achieved through regular practice of the other limbs, particularly dharana and dhyana. In fact, each of the eight limbs are fed and strengthened by each other, which is why it’s so important to consider each of them in our practice. These principles can be carried off the yoga mat, too, into the rest of our lives. Whenever you find yourself standing in line or at a stoplight, for example, there’s an opportunity to ground through the feet in mountain pose (asana), take some intentional, deep breaths (pranayama), and practice some mindfulness (dhyana, dharana, samadhi).
The other two limbs, yamas and niyamas, provide us with a code of ethics that guide our interactions with others and ourselves. Simply put, the yamas focus on our behaviour, our outer experience, and bring us to harmony with ourselves and others. The niyamas are made up of personal practices that guide our interpersonal attitudes and shape our environment and inner experience.
These 8 limbs bring balance and harmony for those who practice them. As we ourselves are dynamic, so too is the practice of yoga. Greet yourself as you are in the moment. True transformation can only occur when we accept where we are now, otherwise how can we navigate where we wish to go? East is to your left if you’re facing South, but to your right if facing North. To get where you want to go, look at where you are with an open heart. None of us are perfect, but we can achieve a sense of true belonging and contentment with ourselves and with the world around us through the observance of the 8 Limbs of Yoga.