8 LIMBS OF YOGA

A compilation of essays around the ancient yogic philosophy contained within the Yoga Sutras

Photo by David Cohen on Unsplash

The 8 Limbs of Yoga is an ancient philosophy derived from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I am currently writing a book, Yoga Prayers, to …

• Deepen my own understanding of the 8 Limbs, and to
• Provide a historical and philosophical text for my (mostly beginner) yoga students at Ohio University each semester.

The following is a compilation of essays written on the 8 Limbs which will continue to be expanded upon until complete. These essays will be edited for the book release.

8 LIMBS OF YOGA ESSAYS

OVERVIEW

• A Brief History and Overview: The 8 Limbs of Yoga as a Spiritual Compass

1. YAMAS

• Ahimsa (non-violence): What Ancient Yogic Wisdom Teaches Us About Violence
• Satya (truthfulness): Finding and Living in our Truths
• Asteya (non-stealing): We Are All Thieves — and Why We Need to Stop
• Brahmacharya (moderation): The Path to Freedom is Choosing Less
• Aparigraha (non-attachment): Lessen Your Grip to Experience Pure Joy

2. NIYAMAS

• Saucha (cleanliness or purity): A Pure Heart is a Happy Heart
• Santosha (contentment): Wishing, Wanting, Seeking, Striving = Losing. Isn’t It Time to Stop Already?
• Tapas (discipline): Using Discipline to Transform Your Life
• Svadhyaya (self study): The Lifelong Journey of ‘Knowing Thyself’
• Isvara Pranidhana (surrender): Yielding and Surrendering selves into Self

3. ASANA (yoga postures)

• Asana: When We Say Yoga in the West, We Really Mean Asana

4. PRANAYAMA (breath control or retention)

• Pranayama: The Universe Breathes Us Into Existence

5. PRATYAHARA (withdrawal of the senses)

• Pratyahara: Withdraw the Senses to Reach Deeper States of Consciousness (coming soon)

6. DHARANA (concentration) 7. DHYANA (meditation) 8. SAMADHI (bliss or oneness with object of meditation)

• EmbodiYoga and the Eight Limbs: How We Embody the Yoga Sutras

Thanks for reading. Did you enjoy? Please clap (up to 50x, if you’d like) so others can find it more easily. Namaste …

ABOUT & OFFERINGS

Hi! I’m Heather, a writer and yoga educator from SE Ohio. I am working on my first book, Yoga Prayers. Download the first 25 pages, A Prelude to Yoga Prayers, for a brief introduction into yoga history and philosophy — and let me know what you think!