Why Yoga?
Yoga is a way of life. In the west we often think of yoga as physical postures but there is more to yoga than this. There are eight limbs of yoga and by learning about and practicing them we can build balance in our lives, create equilibrium in our minds and find a sense of calm and wellbeing.
Yamas
The Yamas are the 5 restraints. If we can avoid these it will help us to find balance and a sense of peace. Avoiding these help us to be decent human beings. These are a moral toolkit for skilful living.
Ahimsa - non-harming
Satya - non-lying
Asteya - non-stealing
Bramacharya - mindful use of energy
Aparagraha - non-possession/non-desiring
Niyamas
The Niyamas are the 5 observances. These are the qualities that we should cultivate in terms of how we treat ourselves. They are an invitation into a radical exploration of possibility.
Saucha - purity
Tapas - discipline/dedication
Santosha - falling in love with life
Svadhyaya - self-study/self-enquiry
Isvara pranidhana - surrendering to collective consciousness
Asanas
The asanas are the physical postures or exercises that provide a sense of physical wellbeing as well as improved self-awareness. Our physical body is meant to move, if our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of our muscles and joints then discomfort or disease will be the result.
The yoga Asanas help us to strengthen our muscles and become more mobile and flexible. Comfort is found in the resulting wellness that is achieved, the balance that is obtained and the ability to sit still for periods of time to practice the remaining limbs of yoga moving towards Samadhi - the ultimate goal.
Pranayama
Prana means breath, energy, respiration, life, vitality and strength. Ayama means to stretch or lengthen, expand or to regulate. Together pranayama means the prolongation of and the restraint of the breath.
By learning how to notice our breath and the impact that it has on us as well as learn how to have a level of control over the breath, we can be more in tune with the breath. Ultimately we practice Pranayama to build vitality within, to recognise the strength and the energy that we possess inside so that we can better benefit from both, and help us to focus the mind.
Pratyahara
Pratyahara is known as the 5th limb of yoga. It is the withdrawal of the mind from being dominated by the senses and by sensual objects. It is a feeling of detachment from the world around you but still being aware of that world. The state of Pratyahara can be achieved whilst in Savasana (corpse pose) at the end of a yoga practice after becoming totally relaxed and calm.
But equally Pratyahara can be achieved in the way we respond to the world around us on a day to day basis. It can be the slight withdrawal that helps you to consider your response to something in a conscious way. To not simply reacting unthinkingly, but instead to choose how to react in a considered way. This can be empowering!
Dharana
This is the 6th limb of Yoga. It is the beginning of meditation. It is the practice of concentrating the mind on a single thing, like the breath or a candle or a mantra. As we all know it is natural for the mind to wander all the time, to think one thought and to follow it on to another and another.
Dharana is the practice of trying to keep the mind focused on just one thing, and to notice when it wanders then to gently bring it back to the focus point without judgment. It is like taming a monkey… it will take a while but once it is tamed it will listen to you!
Dhyana
Dhyana moves on from Dharana and is the 7th limb of yoga. It is the uninterrupted flow of concentration - meditation. Whereas Dharana is focus on one object, Dhyana is keen concentration without a specific focus: thoughts do not interrupt the flow of meditation. Time has no meaning and space is lost. Even the body is forgotten in real meditation. This is a difficult state to achieve and is a goal that should be worked towards over time.
Samadhi
Samadhi, the 8th limb of yoga and the most challenging to achieve. It is realising a profound connection with the Divine. The divine here being an understanding of the connectedness and the oneness of all sentient beings. It is said the Samadhi is too difficult to explain, only once you have experienced it for yourself will you truly know it. You arrive at this 8th limb of yoga effortlessly not realising you are there because you are that which is there. The interruptions of Dharana have ceased, the conscious, uninterrupted flow of Dhyana moves effortlessly into Samadhi without you even noticing the transition.
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