Some people think of yoga as a physical practice consisting of poses including: Warrior, Triangle, Downward Facing Dog and Upward Facing Dog. In fact, the physical practice is one of eight parts of a total system, the goal of which is enlightenment (which refers to the transcending of the mind to connect with the universal “self” that is said to exist beyond all conscious thought).
This eight-part system was codified in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and is often referred to as “The Eight Limbs of Yoga”. The first two limbs are the Yamas and the Niyamas, which together form a code of conduct that was designed to reduce the distractions to yoga practice. The third limb is Asana, which is the physical practice that most people associate with “yoga”. The fourth limb is Pranayama, which is the practice of controlling the breath. The fifth limb is Pratyahara, which is the practice of focusing inward. The sixth and seventh are Dharana and Dhyana, which are forms of meditation. The eighth limb is Samadhi, which is enlightenment itself.
Yoga is typically introduced to students as Asana (since a physical practice will be experienced viscerally, regardless of whether the mind is ready to process it). Often, Pranayama is introduced contemporaneously with Asana, through instructing the student when to inhale and when to exhale. Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana are taught progressively, when and if a student is ready. The fact that Samadhi is a goal as well as a limb may suggest that flashes of enlightenment may occur even as one develops the practice of the other limbs.
Underpinning all the other limbs is the code of conduct formed by the Yamas and Niyamas. The Yamas consist of the following five practices of self-restraint:
1. Ahimsa: Not harming others or oneself. Any sort of violence, whether physical or emotional, would theoretically interfere with the practice of yoga by creating, among other distractions, exhaustion, anxiety, fear, depression, agitation.
2. Satya: Not lying to others or oneself. Dishonesty can cause the same sort of distractions as violence. It can also cause violence.
3. Asteya: Not stealing – whether material possessions, time, attention or energy. Stealing can cause the same distractions as violence and lying.
4. Brahmacharia: Not expending energy on trivial pursuits. Traditionally, this referred to recreational sex, as well as to any expension of energy on pleasure for pleasure’s sake alone. Modern practitioners may relax the rule with regard to recreational sex, but still abstain from casual sexual encounters or sexual encounters that might violate any of the other Yamas.
5. Aparigraha: not coveting what one does not have. Coveting sends us on a path that may lead toward stealing, lying, violence or a waste of our energies on pursuits that serve no purpose other than to assuage emptiness within ourselves.
The Niyamas consist of the following five practices:
1. Sauca: cleanliness (body and mind)
2. Santosa: contentment (with things as they are)
3. Tapas: discipline and focus
4. Svadhyaya: contemplating – honestly – one’s progress on the path
5. Isvarapranidhana: accepting, acknowledging and even rejoicing that beyond ourselves, there exists a higher power.
The Niyamas complement and enhance the Yamas, and together they help eliminate distractions that might otherwise interfere with the practice of yoga. Though sometimes taught verbally, they may often become apparent metaphorically – through the practice of Asana.
Stay tuned for future installments focusing on various Yamas and Niyamas and how they can be taught through Asana practice.
Photo Credit: RelaxingMusic
