The 8 Limbs Of Yoga, Ancient Secrets To Inner Peace. Part 1

The word yoga originates from a sanskrit phase "to yoke", meaning unity. Yoga unites our consciousness with universal consciousness, balancing our mind body and spirit holistically, organically, naturally and practically through breath work (pranayama), meditation (dhyana) postures (asanas) mudras (gestures) bandhas (locks) and shatkarma (purification practices).

Through yoga we are able to cultivate energy (chi) within our bodies, releasing emotional and physical blockages and return to health, joy and peace.

Yoga started in India and other parts of the world more than 10,000 years ago, although unlike today, back the it was kept in secret and passed down from teacher to student. One of the first records of yoga was by a siddhar (self realised human) named Patanjali who lived between 500BC-200BC. He wrote 196 sutrus or collection of guidelines sharing a wealth of ancient wisdom to help students journey back to their divine true selves. This knowledge is still applicable in our modern day life in helping us keep deeply connected to our true authentic nature.

While yoga is an incredible way to exercise, tone our bodies and release tension, it is also so much more profound. Its a way of life, a journey of inner self discovery, a way to reconnect with our inner stillness, peace, joy and boundless unconditional love for self and all living things.

The 8 limbs of yoga as written by Patanjali are

1. Universal Principles (yamas)

2. Observances (niyamas)

3. Postures (asanas)

4. Breathing (pranayama)

5. Withdrawal Of The Senses (pratyahara)

6. Concentration (dharna)

7. Meditation (dhyana) and

8. Bliss (samadhi)

Each limb is connected to the whole. Practicing one limb can naturally and organically lead to cultivating the others.

On each Monday over the next 7 weeks we will delve a little deeper into each of the 8 limbs of yoga and explore how we can integrate this ancient wisdom into our own lives, to guide us deep into our internal peace and connected to universal consciousness. Lets start with number 1. Universal principles (yama's) Here are the 5 universal principles of Patanjali

1. Non-Violence (ahisma)

2. Truth (sataya)

3. Non-Stealing (asteya)

4. Celibacy (bramacarya)

5. Non-accumulation (aparigraha)

Lets first take a look at ahisma. This is the principle of non violence and respect to all living beings. We may wish to take a look at refraining from thoughts and words that can cause pain to self and others, including retaliating when insulted or unjustly criticised. We cultivate non violence with ourselves in truthfulness, humility, tolerance and loving kindness as Ghandi famously potentially said "there are no enemies"

The second yama is Truth (satya) On a surface level, not lying, telling the truth, being honest is definitely a part of satya, however delving a little deeper satya is about the total commitment to truth. In a world full of change, our bodies, society, governments, rules, relationships, there is something internal, inside of us, that eternal essence that stays the same. Satya means living in a way that aligns to your highest truth. Being completely honest with yourself and others, acting with intention and refraining from judgement.

Our third yama is non-stealing (asteya). Of course this means not physically stealing, however digging deeper we can look at not mentally stealing. Being envious, jealous, is energetically and mentally stealing from another and having even the smallest intention of stealing keeps you poor as you are energetically taking what is not yours and are not living in your own true essence and drawing what is for you, to you. Other ways we can practice asteya in our daily lives is:

- stop eating when you are full

- not buying things you don't need

- practicing gratitude

- being truthful in thoughts, speech and action

Our fourth yama is Celibacy (bramacarya). This includes not only physical celibacy (although this can definitely bring deep inner strength and reflection), its about knowing your vast nature, realising you are much more than your body. Instead of external lust and obsession,which can make your consciousness feel heavy and weighed down, drawing deep strength, lightness inner joy and peace by feeling ecstacy by your own nature, by relishing and unconditionally loving your whole self brings freedom and peace.

Ways of practicing bramacarya in our own daily lives may involve eating slowly, noticing when you have the impulse to indulge more and listening to your body.

Our last yama is non-accumulation, non-greed, non-attachment (aparigraha).

Over accumulation, stinginess and selfishness allows no space for expansion.

Giving with a kind, loving, grateful open heart frees the mind and cleanses your energy field.

Ways of bringing aparigraha into daily life is to have a clean home (inside and out), office, car and environment. An additional benefit of cleanliness of your space is a clear mind. Also internal cleanliness of mind (meditation can help) body and spirit. By letting go of the past you can be more fully in the present, the art of letting go, living life with open palm, open mind and open heart to all living things. The art of allowing people, concepts an things entering your world, existing in your life whether for a brief moment or forever exiting effortlessly without creating any bondage, samskara's (mental impressions, recollections or psychological imprints) or dependancy is a beautiful nourishing peaceful way to live your life.

Patanjali certainly shared a wealth of wisdom, we look forward to sharing the ancient knowledge of the niyamas next Monday...

With Love,

The NRG CNTR Team