Patanjali is the name of the sage who is believed to have codified yoga around 500 - 200 BCE. Until then, yoga was an oral tradition which is believed to be at least 5,000 years old. It is a science, a process. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes yoga as an eight step process known as Ashtanga (ash=8 and anga=limbs). The Yoga Sutras are just abbreviated descriptions of what yoga is (sutra basically means showing or telling something using the least amount of words possible). Perhaps papyrus was scarce back then. There are many interpretations / translations of the yoga sutras on bookshelves today. One of my favorites is by Sri Swami Satchidananda.
The eight limbs of Patanjali's Ashtanga system are: (Sanskrit terms are in parantheses)
1. Restraints (Yamas)
a. non-violence (ahimsa)
b. non-lying (satya)
c. non-stealing (asteya)
d. non-sensuality (brahmacharya)
e. non-greed (aparigraha)
2. Observances (Niyamas)
a. purification (saucha)
b. contentment (santosha)
c. austerity (tapas)
d. self-study (svadhyaya)
e. attunement [to the Divine] (Ishvar-pranidhana)
3. Postures, what we call Hatha Yoga (Asana) this is what most people refer to today when they say yoga, that is just the poses.
4. Breath Control (Pranayama)
5. Sense Withdrawal (Pratyahara)
6. Concentration [leads to meditation] (Dharana)
7. Meditation [leads to Samadhi] (Dhyana)
8. Enlightenment (Samadhi)
You may notice that the 1st and second limbs of Yoga are similar to the 10 commandments. One cannot achieve enlightenment without living a coherent life. These are not necessarily 8 sequential steps but rather to be worked on simultaneously.
I will be adding blog topics relating to the these and other aspects of yoga as we go along and talk about how adhering to them can help us attain peace and happiness. I look forward to your comments/participations which will help all of us achieve the state of bliss known as Samadhi, and find our own paths to enlightenment. Namaste!
The eight limbs of Patanjali's Ashtanga system are: (Sanskrit terms are in parantheses)
1. Restraints (Yamas)
a. non-violence (ahimsa)
b. non-lying (satya)
c. non-stealing (asteya)
d. non-sensuality (brahmacharya)
e. non-greed (aparigraha)
2. Observances (Niyamas)
a. purification (saucha)
b. contentment (santosha)
c. austerity (tapas)
d. self-study (svadhyaya)
e. attunement [to the Divine] (Ishvar-pranidhana)
3. Postures, what we call Hatha Yoga (Asana) this is what most people refer to today when they say yoga, that is just the poses.
4. Breath Control (Pranayama)
5. Sense Withdrawal (Pratyahara)
6. Concentration [leads to meditation] (Dharana)
7. Meditation [leads to Samadhi] (Dhyana)
8. Enlightenment (Samadhi)
You may notice that the 1st and second limbs of Yoga are similar to the 10 commandments. One cannot achieve enlightenment without living a coherent life. These are not necessarily 8 sequential steps but rather to be worked on simultaneously.
I will be adding blog topics relating to the these and other aspects of yoga as we go along and talk about how adhering to them can help us attain peace and happiness. I look forward to your comments/participations which will help all of us achieve the state of bliss known as Samadhi, and find our own paths to enlightenment. Namaste!