8 Limbs of Yoga

8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga Philosophy

Yoga Philosophy – Surrender to the Divine

Yoga sutra 2.45 samadhi siddhih ishvarapranidhana ‘From an attitude of letting go into one’s source (ishvarapranidhana), the state of perfected concentration (samadhi) is attained.’ Swami Jnaneshvara The 5th and final Niyama, Ishvara Pranidhana or surrender to the Divine. We, in the west, tend to find this difficult to grasp as for many of us religion is an uncomfortable concept and

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8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga Philosophy

Yoga Philosophy – Self Study

Getting to the pointy end of the Niyama’s, the second limb of 8 limbs of Yoga, we find ourselves at Svadhyaya – self study. Yoga Sutra 2.44  svadhyayat ishta devata samprayogah From self-study and reflection on sacred words (svadhyaya), one attains contact, communion, or concert with that underlying natural reality or force. The study of the self, whether it be

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8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga Philosophy

Yoga philosophy – Tapas

Yoga Sutra 2.43 – kaya indriya siddhih ashuddhi kshayat tapasah Tapas – Through the training of the senses (tapas), there comes a destruction of mental impurities, and an ensuing mastery over the body, senses and actions. The 3rd Niyama, 2nd limb of Yoga. Tapas is our heat, our fire, the dedication to practicing methods in which you become a more whole

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8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga Philosophy

Yoga Philosophy – contentment

Yoga Sutra 2.42; santosha anuttamah sukha labhah “From an attitude of contentment (santosha), unexcelled happiness, mental comfort, joy, and satisfaction is obtained.” The final 4 Niyamas (still on the second limb of 8 limbs of Yoga) are my favourites, I’m not sure you are supposed to have favourites when it comes to Yoga philosophy, but complete honesty always! Contentment, true

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8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga Philosophy

Yoga Philosophy on Purity

Moving on from the first limb, of 8, to the second limb of which is Niyama – 5 practices that deal with our personal code of conduct within the world. These are disciplines which, when practiced mindfully and compassionately, will lead to a deeper state of being. To practice these reveals your Truth, and strips back all the crap that

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8 Limbs of Yoga Yoga Philosophy

5th and final Yama – non-grasping

The end of the first step of Yoga – yes we are only at the beginning. The 5th and final Yama is Aparigraha. 2.39 – aparigraha sthairye janma kathanta sambodhah Aparigraha = non-grasping, non-possesivness. When we walk the path of Yoga this includes a conscious letting go of grasping, wanting what is not ours, or desiring what is others. As

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