The Eight Limbs of yoga (Asthaanga yoga)*

I am deeply grateful for the practice of yoga on and off of the mat, particularly recently as I navigate my way as a new mother (coined matrescence. I recommend Lucy Jones’ book if you're unfamiliar with this term!).  

The great sage Patanjali’s timeless wisdom, the eight fold path has been life enhancing and forms the foundation of my personal practice.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, this is an accessible and relatable guide which helps bring consciousness to the way in which we conduct ourselves externally and how we behave with ourselves – when no one is watching. 

The Eight Limbs have kept me grounded, everyday as I navigate deeply transformative role of 'Mother' and my new normal. A glimpse of the eight limbs is below, likened to a tree, with various branches all stemming from one source down to it’s roots, interrelated yet autonomous. 

I have taken inspiration from Nishala Joy Devi’s translation below, I love her feminine interpretation of the Eight Limbs. 

Yama: Reflection of our true nature. How we behave externally

Niyama: Evolution toward harmony. How we behave when nobody is watching

Asana: Comfort in being, posture

Pranayama: Enhancement and guidance of universal prana (life force)

Pratyahara: Encouraging the senses to draw inward

Dharana: Gathering and focusing of consciousness inward

Dhyana: Continuous inward flow of consciousness

Samadhi: Union with divine consciousness

Niyama and Yamas are further divided into limbs, or 5 branches and help to dismantle and guide our particular behaviours. 

Niyama:

Ahimsa: Embracing reverence and love for all. Practicing compassion

Satya: Speaking our truth and maintaining integrity

Asteya: Abiding in generosity and honesty

Brahmacharya: Living a modest and balanced life

Aparigraha: Practicing gratitude for what we have and acknowledging abundance

Yama:

Saucha: Simplicity and continual refinement in body, thoughts and emotions

Santosha: When at peace with oneself and others, as it is

Tapas: Living life sincerely and with enthusiasm, lighting our inner fire

Svādhyāya: Sacred study of oneself and the divine through scripture and introspection 

*Asthaanga is two words Astha means ‘eight’ and anagha means intertwining facets. Angha is also recognised as limb.

Which of these resound for you? Ahimsa reverberates most for me. I started to notice in life and during my physical practice that it was the underpinning factor in every other limb…. They all help me reevaluate my interpretation of life and how I process what is happening. How my bias or my own illusion may interfere with reality.