What are the eight limbs of yoga?

What are the eight limbs of yoga? And there is no discussion anywhere on the way to follow the path of Yoga. In yoga, you cannot simply do two or four exercises, make them easier, and then consider yoga complete. Most of the people know about this. Today, most people are unaware of the true name of yoga. The yoga that we see today is not yoga but an exercise. Doing two and four exercises today is not yoga. What do we call yoga? What is Yoga? There’s a wrong concept about Yoga in your mind. You think of it as Yoga. We will eliminate this wrong concept.

Yoga is among the most useful methods in India. The world is now accepting its value. People know Maharishi Patanjali as the originator of Yoga. Maharishi Patanjali developed the yoga system. He wrote the Yoga Sutras, which have eight parts. Ashtanga Yoga has eight elements. So, Maharishi Patanjali called it Ashtanga Yoga.

Maharishi Patanjali described eight parts of yoga in ‘Yoga Sutra’ to purify the body, mind, and soul. This is known as ‘Ashtanga Yoga’.

These eight limbs are

1. Yama – It is Social Ethics.
2. Niyama– Personal hygiene.
3. Asana -Yoga Sutra defines ‘Sthirasukhamasan’ as a stable position.
4. Pranayama– Control of prana.
5. Pratyahara – Sense Withdrawal.
6. Dharana– Intention and Focus.
7. Dhyana– Continuous focus on a subject through Dharana is ‘Meditation’.
8. Samadhi– Samadhi is the pinnacle of meditation.

‘Bahiranga Yoga’ describes Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara.
Similarly, Yogashastra considers Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi internal Yoga. The term is ‘control.’
Implementing these eight organs in life develops noble qualities such as piety. This includes virtue and good character. At the same time, there is mental, physical, and spiritual progress in man.

Yama:

‘Yama’ means control. Restraint means not doing certain types of work. The five Yama are-
1. Ahimsa– Non- Violence
2. Satya – Truth
3. Asteya– Non- Stealing
4. Brahmacharya – controlling sensual pleasures
5. Aparigraha– Non-accumulating

Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Arpargraha. ‘Ahimsa’ means not causing harm to any living being through thought, speech, or action. A person practicing yoga should follow non-violence. Truth is presenting what you have seen and heard as you understood. Truth is the nature of life. Spirituality is the search for the ultimate truth of life. One cannot find truth by following the path of untruth. So, it is necessary for a person practicing yoga to follow the truth in mind, speech, and action. ‘Asteya’ means not stealing others’ wealth through thoughts, words, or actions. It also means not coveting what others have. ‘Arateya’ applies to money, rights, ideas, fame, and prestige. It is essential for mental purification and social happiness. ‘Brahmacharya’ means controlling sensual pleasures, including all senses. Yoga and enjoyment are opposites. You cannot achieve yoga while indulging in pleasures. ‘Aparigraha’ means renunciation of indulgence and the tendency to accumulate.

Niyama:

There are five rules:
1. Shaucha– Purity
2. Santosha – Contentment
3. Tapas – Self-Discipline
4. Swadhyaya– Self-Study
5. IshwarPranidhan– Dedicate all deeds to God as ‘Ishwar-Pranidhan’

‘Shaucha’ means purity of body and mind. Both internal and external defecation are necessary in yoga. Contentment is the ability to remain happy in any situation. Contentment is the best heaven and the best happiness. Contentment is man’s best treasure. ‘Penance’ describes enduring hardships such as happiness, sorrow, cold, and heat. ‘Swadhyaya’ purifies thoughts and gains knowledge through idea exchange. Worship God with mind, speech, and actions. Dedicate all deeds to God as ‘Ishwar-Pranidhan’. One experiences peace of mind and remains mentally healthy by taking refuge in God. Maintaining mental health automatically preserves physical health. Taking refuge in God strengthens self-confidence. One experiences divine bliss and realizes one’s inferiority. This does not make a person proud. So, pride causes destruction, but individuals can save themselves from it.

Asana:

Asana is the third generation of Ashtanga Yoga. Asana is not the final state of yoga. It is essential for preparing practitioners for advanced practice.
Maharishi Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sutra’ defines ‘Sthirasukhamasan’ as a stable position. This position brings joy to both the mind and body. Asanas purify veins, boost health, and refresh the body and mind. Thus, by doing regular ain, the body becomes powerful for yoga practice.

Pranayam:

Pranayam has a special and important place among yogic activities. ‘Pranayama’ literally means ‘control of prana’. Pranayama stimulates, transmits, and regulates life force in the body.
Assumption. Bathing keeps the body clean. Pranayama keeps the mind pure.

Pratyahara:

Pratyahara occurs when the senses turn inward, free from external objects. ‘Pratyahara’ is the name given to this state. This calms the strong mind and the senses which behave arbitrarily. Pratyahara to the senses. You can completely keep it under control. Not only this, it also increases the knowledge of God’s infinity. There is a feeling of power and the seeker becomes absorbed in God.

Dharana:

The word Dharana means concentration. In this way, we call the means needed to increase the concentration of the mind Dharana. With the help of Dharana, the calm mind can be successfully concentrated in one place.

Dhayan:

Continuous focus on a subject through Dharana is ‘Meditation‘. Meditation destroys rajasic and tamasic impurities, developing sattvic qualities. The practice of meditation awakens the conscience to judge right and good- and bad. The power to see with a neutral attitude develops.

Samadhi:

During meditation, one realizes Samadhi only when one realizes the state of meditation. The mind attains the goal and becomes absorbed in meditation. The concentration of the mind decreases due to interruptions i.e. ‘worldly temptations’. Increase focus by avoiding obstacles effectively. Samadhi is the pinnacle of meditation.