Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga: A Celestial Pathway Unveiled

Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga: A Celestial Pathway Unveiled

Guiding our cosmic journey is the celestial sage Patanjali, whose luminous wisdom unfolds through the Eight Limbs of Yoga. This sacred pathway offers Earthans not only a celestial roadmap for self-realisation but also practical tools to infuse these teachings into daily life, personal practice, and the role of a yoga teacher.

Patanjali is revered as a sage and the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, a foundational text in the practice of yoga. Little is known about his personal life, but he is believed to have lived in ancient India, possibly around the 2nd century BCE. His work, the Yoga Sutras, consists of 196 aphorisms or sutras that provide guidance on the philosophy and practice of yoga. Patanjali's insights into the nature of the mind, the path to spiritual liberation, and the practical techniques of yoga have had a profound influence on the development of yoga as a spiritual and physical discipline. He is often depicted with multiple heads, symbolizing his vast knowledge and wisdom in various fields beyond yoga.

The Cosmic Ethical Foundations: Yamas

How to Practice in Daily Life:

• Ahimsa (Non-violence): Cultivate compassion in your interactions, be mindful of your words, and extend kindness to all beings.
• Satya (Truthfulness): Speak the truth with kindness and integrity, fostering open communication.
• Asteya (Non-stealing): Appreciate abundance, avoid unnecessary consumption, and contribute to others without expecting in return.
• Brahmacharya (Moderation): Conserve energy, find balance in all aspects of life, and channel vitality mindfully.
• Aparigraha (Non-attachment): Embrace simplicity, release unnecessary possessions, and let go of attachments to outcomes.

How to Practice in Yoga:

• Infuse your asana practice with compassion and non-competitiveness.
• Be truthful to your body's capabilities and honor your limitations.
• Practice moderation in your physical effort, finding the balance between strength and ease.

How to Practice as a Yoga Teacher:

• Cultivate a safe and inclusive space for students to explore their practice.
• Encourage truthfulness and self-awareness in alignment and movement.
• Emphasize non-attachment to physical outcomes, fostering a supportive and non-competitive environment.

Personal Cosmic Observances: Niyamas

How to Practice in Daily Life:

• Saucha (Purity): Cultivate cleanliness in your physical space and nurture mental purity through positive thoughts.
• Santosha (Contentment): Cultivate gratitude for what you have and find joy in the present moment.
• Tapas (Discipline): Establish daily routines that align with your goals and practice self-discipline.
• Svadhyaya (Self-study): Reflect on your actions, thoughts, and emotions, fostering self-awareness.
• Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to the Divine): Release the need for control, surrendering to the cosmic flow.

How to Practice in Yoga:

• Begin your practice with a clean and dedicated space.
• Cultivate contentment by appreciating your body's capabilities.
• Approach your practice with discipline, focusing on consistent effort.

How to Practice as a Yoga Teacher:

• Foster a sense of contentment and acceptance in your classes.
• Encourage self-reflection and self-study among your students.
• Guide your students to surrender to the present moment and trust the process.

Breath, Concentration, and Meditation: Pranayama, Dharana, Dhyana

How to Practice in Daily Life:

• Pranayama (Breath Control): Incorporate mindful breathing exercises during stressful moments, enhancing mental clarity.
• Dharana (Concentration): Practice single-tasking, immersing yourself fully in the present activity.
• Dhyana (Meditation): Dedicate a few minutes daily to quiet meditation, fostering inner stillness.

How to Practice in Yoga:

• Integrate breath awareness into your asana practice.
• Cultivate focused concentration during balancing poses.
• Dedicate a few minutes of meditation at the end of your practice.

How to Practice as a Yoga Teacher:

• Guide students through breath awareness in the opening and closing of class.
• Incorporate concentration techniques in challenging poses.
• Introduce short meditation sessions to conclude the practice.

Union with the Cosmic: Samadhi

How to Practice in Daily Life:

• Cultivate moments of mindfulness, allowing you to experience a sense of oneness with your surroundings.
• Embrace the interconnectedness of all beings, fostering compassion in your actions.

How to Practice in Yoga:

• Approach your practice with a sense of unity, honoring the connection between mind, body, and spirit.
• In Savasana, allow yourself to dissolve into a state of oneness, experiencing the union of self and cosmos.

How to Practice as a Yoga Teacher:

• Create a sense of community and interconnectedness in your classes.
• Conclude your classes with a moment of collective stillness, emphasizing the shared journey of yoga.

Sources:

• "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali"
• Commentaries by various yoga scholars and practitioners
• Reflections on the cosmic symbolism of Patanjali

About the author - meet Earthan Lucy Colgrave 

Lucy is the Founder & Chief Eartha Officer of Eartha. She created Eartha to help others find calm through sustainable shopping, learning and wellness. Lucy is a newly qualified 200 hour Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and loves spreading the bliss that yoga can bring. You can check out her yoga channel on Instagram Lucy Glow Yoga.