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Many people look at Yoga, show an interest in it, and then shy away when it seems to get too complicated. There seems to be so many branches, limbs, postures, devotions, spin-offs and many other different, difficult names. Confusing, isn’t it? The image that first comes to mind when you hear the word Yoga is of a group of people in skimpy clothing performing difficult or even seemingly impossible poses. This is true to a certain extent, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Yoga is an ancient body of knowledge, stemming back for more than 5000 years, and is an all-encompassing term for a discipline (physical, mental and spiritual) which originated in Ancient India. It is located in Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and is one of six orthodox schools in Hindu Philosophy and its Vedic Scriptures. Its core is founded on The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which is an eight-limbed path (or steps) forming a basic structure (and framework) for practicing this holistic discipline, with no hierarchical order – one is not elevated above another. The actual word ‘Yoga’ literally means ‘yoke’ in Sanskrit, the root implying ‘join, unite, integrate or attach’. Ancient Yogis believed that for humans to be in harmony with themselves, and their surrounding environment, a balanced integration of body, mind and spirit was essential. Yoga deals with this by using a combination of Meditation, Breathing Techniques and Yoga Exercises, with the aims of attaining tranquility, spiritual insight and enlightenment. A student who practices the Yoga philosophy with dedicated commitment is referred to as a Yogi.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga (Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)
Patanjali is widely recognized as the formal compiler of Yoga philosophy, utilizing his system (Patanjali’s Yoga or Raja Yoga) for controlling the mind and the never-ending thoughts flooding through it. His writings formed the foundation for Ashtanga Yoga which is also known as Eight-Limbed Yoga, and this eight-limbed concept is a prevalent core characteristic in basically every Raja Yoga variation which is practiced today. The eight limbs are as follows:
1. Yama – Universal Morality or Ethics (the five ‘abstentions’) – non-violence, no lying (truthfulness), no covetousness (or stealing), sexual restraint (celibacy) and no possessiveness (acquisitions).
2. Niyama – Personal Observances and Self-conduct (the five ‘observances’) – purity, contentment, austerity, study of scriptures and self-surrender to the Divine.
3. Asana – Literally means ‘seat’ and refers to practice of body postures and the seated position which is so prevalent in Yoga.
4. Pranayama – ‘Suspending Breath’ or Breath control, breathing exercises, and control of the life force known as Prana (breath).
5. Pratyahara – ‘Abstraction’, withdrawal, and control of the senses, from external objects.
6. Dharana – ‘Concentration’, focusing attention (on an object) and channeling inner awareness.
7. Dhyana – ‘Meditation’, intense contemplation on the nature of the object / devotion to the Divine.
8. Samadhi – ‘Liberation’, merging consciousness with the object / union with the Divine.
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