Yoga is often a word that takes many colors and meanings in today’s popular culture. For some it means a physical sequence of flexibility movements while for others it’s a form of fitness exercise. However, in its simplest form, Yoga means union. Yoga is the ultimate dance of existence. The word yoga is a complete path by itself. Yoga can bring you to your ultimate reality.
A brief history of Yoga
During a time that predates all modern-day religions, Adiyogi or the first yogi transmitted the science of yoga to his seven disciples. The fundamental message from Adiyogi’s teachings were very simple and straight forward. “In is the only way out” as quoted by Sadhguru. These tools of individual transformation cleared path for many more great yogis to walk this planet spreading this wonderful gift to humanity.
However, yoga as we know now was founded by Patanajli who is also known as the father of modern day yoga. He assimilated the Ashtanga yoga or the 8 limbs of yoga. Everything falls under these 8 limbs that you can read about below. Having a fundamental understanding of these yoga sutras can help you grow and progress in your practice of yoga and feel more grounded.
Yamas:
Simply means the parameters or boundaries (such as right and wrong, pure and impure etc.) you set on yourself which decides your actions. This is very important because it can help us stay focused on our path towards realization. Below are the 5 Yamas to follow.
- Ahimsa – Non-Violence
- Satya – Truthfulness
- Asteya – No Stealing
- Brahmacharya – Moderation
- Aparygraha – Non Attachment
Niyamas:
Acceptance of self as it is or being the observer of life while it happens to you. Letting go of the need to control what happens to you and understanding that you can only optimize your awareness without any expectations of how life unfolds. The 5 disciplines you can practice to implement Niyamas are below.
- Saucha – Cleanliness
- Santosha – Contentment
- Tapas – Self-Discipline
- Svadhyaya – Self-Study
- Ishvara Pranidara – Surrender
Asanas:
The physical forms that yoga can take. All the different postures and movements from one posture to another. This is the vessel that will carry your body towards your ultimate reality.
Pranayama:
Controlled breathing or the essence of flowing the body with life force energy or Prana. Also known as Chi, Reiki etc. Learning of the human respiratory system and how the quality of your breath can directly influence the quality of your life.
Prathyahara:
To learn to cultivate the blissful awareness and gratitude from within ourselves and not from other external physical or sensory gratifications. Doesn’t mean to live free from any external desires but to keep yourself in check from depending on these for happiness.
Dharana:
A state of single pointed focus or no focus. Freedom from being controlled by your ego. Clearing up self from all identity or false reflections about self. A state of pure awareness as the true nature of your existence.
Dhyana:
Meditation. When all false identities have been cleared from the mind as self. When you can truly just be. Just sit and breathe in the emptiness or thoughtlessness. A state of no ego. Simply put, just observing life. It cannot be explained or taught but only experienced through the daily practice of the 6 above limbs.
Samadhi:
When we can hold and practice Dhyana, we can awaken Samadhi. The merging with reality. The awakening and experience of life beyond all dualities. Pure Awareness of the oneness realized experientially. Enlightenment.
The first two limbs are simply guidelines on how to treat our selves as well as others and the environment around us. Only through the regular practice of asanas, can we prepare our selves for pranayama. As you progress to Prathyahara you will be able to cultivate that inner joy and bliss through all senses. Dharana is deep state of meditativeness where you can experience a state of absolute awareness.
However, it is important to understand that this is a slow process that will transform you from within. Hence, like all good things, this will require you to put in the effort to implement each of the above overtime. From the first to the sixth limb is where you need to focus on as the seventh and eighth takes its own time to unfold.
Yoga means to move from a state of sleep to a state of wakefulness. To understand that your true reality is not all the things you have identified with such as your career, family, wealth or social status. Yoga means to be blissfully aware of your purest form of existence. Answering a very fundamental yet simple question can be a powerful way to come to this realization. “Who am I”?
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