Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Patanjali has defined yoga as the ‘restraining of thought waves’, and compiled the Yoga Sutras to help us build and maintain self-discipline, moral and ethic in our daily life. Pantanjali offers an eight-limbed approach for the well-being and purification of body, mind and soul. This approach, known as Ashtanga Yoga, is a multidimensional approach in which all eight limbs are practised simultaneously.
1 – Yamas – the five social ethics
- Ahimsa – Non-violence in action, speech and thoughts
- Satyam – Truthfulness in intention, remaining established in the higher truth
- Asteya – Non-stealing
- Brahmacharya – Divine conduct with continence
- Aparigraha – Not accumulating things unnecessarily and not desiring things that belong to others.
2 – Niyamas – the five personal ethics
- Saucha – Cleanliness of the body and mind
- Santosha – Contentment, remaining happy
- Tapas – Austerity and self-discipline
- Swadhyaya – Study of the Self, abiding in the Self
- Ishwarapranidhana – Surrendering to the higher power
3 – Asanas – Yoga Postures
Taking care of our body as the temple of our spirit, and the source of our spiritual growth.
4 – Pranayamas – Life Force Extension
Recognising the connection between the breath, the mind and the emotions through specific breathing techniques.
5 – Pratayahara – Senses Withdrawal
Making the conscious effort to draw our awareness away from the external world and outside stimuli, to direct our attention internally.
6- Dharana – Concentration
Dealing with the distractions of the mind itself, as one-pointed focus.
7- Dhyana – Meditation
Quieting the mind, being keenly aware, without focus, through an uninterrupted flow of concentration.
8 – Samadhi – State of Ecstasy
Reaching the highest state of consciousness, and peace called enlightenment.