Tanja Alexandra Kern 
First of all, I am excited to announce that one of my articles was recently published on Teach.Yoga.com! Simply click HERE to access it and please also share my blogs with your family and friends. I love all your support!
If you haven’t connected to my Facebook page yet, here’s a very funny and heartwarming video of a dog dancing salsa to cheer your day.
After a good laugh watching the salsa dancing dog, I would like to invite you to to dive into some yoga philosophy with me today.
You may have been taking my yoga classes and realized that there is more to yoga than just moving your body.
Indeed yoga has a philosophical basis, called “The Yoga Sutras” compiled by Patañjali approximately 2300 years ago. The sutras consist of eight branches or limbs called ashtānga (ashta=eight, anga=limb). Each of those eight limbs offer guidance on how to accomplish living a life filled with health, happiness, fulfillment, purpose and meaning. Most of us are familiar with the third limb of Yoga ‘Asana’.
In my classes we often incorporate several of the eight limbs. We use pranayama practices or focus on the breath in combination with our asana practice to access full awareness of the moment. This allows us to tune into our bodies, needs, emotions and thoughts. We remind ourselves to listen to our own bodies throughout our yoga practice and abstain from comparison, self-criticism, judgement, or competition. Then we conclude our practice with a short meditation to listen within and honor ourselves for showing up. By getting more acquainted with yoga philosophy you may realize that you have already been incorporating some of the guidelines in your life. So let’s get started…
Please regard this as an initial introduction into the eight limbs of yoga. The upcoming blogs will look at the first two limbs a little closer and offer more details. This will allow you to explore the meaning of each one for yourself and how you can integrate them into your daily life if you wish to do so. Please remember it’s Yoga, so listen within and see what’s right for you.
1. Yama
The Yamas consists of five ethical guidelines or etiquette on how we interact with others. We will look at these in more detail in the upcoming blogs.
2. Niyama
The Niyamas provide a set of guidelines or codes of conduct on how we treat ourselves. We will look at these in more detail in the upcoming blogs.
3. Asana
“At a deeper level, asana means the full expression of mind body integration, in which you become consciously aware of the flow of life energy in your body. Performing asanas with full awareness is practice for performing action in life with awareness.”
~ Deepak Chopra
The traditional intention to practice asana (postures) was to prepare the body for meditation. With the word asana meaning “to sit”. The practice was to keep the body healthy and fit to sit in meditation for an extended period of time. By being able to sit in comfort and ease (pain-/ache-/cramp free) the mind can remain calm, and without distraction in a deep, prolonged meditation. One of the sutras reads “Sthira Sukham Asanam” meaning the seated posture should be steady and comfortable.
Asana practice helps to bring balance to the body, emotions, mind and spirit. We become aware of emotions that may be stored in our bodies (hip openers often release long-held emotions), our thoughts, breath, the sensation of moving the body and noticing how each side may feel different.
In addition asana practice comes with a ton of benefits, some of them include increased flexibility, strengths, endurance, reduced stress, improved circulation and sleep. For more links on the endless benefits on yoga, you may like to read one of my previous blogs if you haven’t already. Please click HERE to access the article.
4. Pranayama
We regulate our breath by practicing pranayama . Different yogic breathing techniques allow us to keep our bodies warm from the inside during practice, cool ourselves down if we are too hot, invigorate our energy levels or calm and relax us. With every conscious and deep breath we also take in prana (life force energy). By focusing on our breath we increase our awareness and remove distractions from our mind.
5. Pratyahara
Prathayara invites us to withdraw from the distractions of our senses and bring our awareness within. We can apply Pratyahara during the practice of our yoga postures, pranayama, or in meditation, by being fully present and focused within. This way the noise from the nearby lawnmower or the itch on your nose will not distract you anymore. You can remain calm and centered. Remember, this is a practice so just do your best and keep practicing….
6. Dharana
Dharana means concentration; to still the mind to a single point of focus. You can center your mind on your asana, a non-moving object in the room, your breath, a mantra or even a candle flame. When thoughts start creeping in, just notice, and return your concentration back on your point of focus.
7. Dhyana
Dhyana is a state that will be achieved by applying Dharana in your meditation practice. Once the mind finds stillness, you may shift to a state of pure awareness. The focus on an object falls away and gives way to (glimpses) of a deep state of meditation. You may drift in and out of this peacefulness, but even just a few minutes will feel amazing.
8. Samadhi
The ultimate goal of the eightfold path is to achieve enlightenment, absolute bliss, or Samadhi. It is described as the experience of oneness, or ecstasy, however without the emotional aspect. The ego and experience of the self have vanished and open the way become one with the divine and pure consciousness.
You can see that yoga is way more than just a physical practice. These ancient teachings may resonate with you and take your practice to a new level.
Stay tuned for an exploration of the first two limbs of yoga, Yama and Niyama.
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