The Eight Limbs of Yoga

When most people think of yoga, they picture postures on a mat. Yet in its earliest form, yoga was never just about the body. It was, and remains, a philosophy of living, captured in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras nearly two thousand years ago.

There, Patanjali described the ashtanga, the eight limbs of yoga. These are not steps to climb in order, but threads that weave together into a whole practice.

The first two, yamas and niyamas, are ethical foundations: how we live in the world and within ourselves, with values such as kindness, truthfulness and self-discipline. Next comes asana, the postures that steady the body, and pranayama, the practices of breath that calm the mind.

Beyond these lie the more subtle limbs: pratyahara (turning the senses inward), dharana (focused concentration), dhyana (meditation), and, ultimately, samadhi, a state of deep union, where the self rests in stillness.

Together, these eight limbs remind us that yoga is not only movement but also mindset, ethics and awareness. Whether on the mat or in daily life, they guide us towards balance: rooted in discipline, flowing with ease.