Did you know that the physical practice of yoga is only one part of the practice of yoga? The Yoga Sutra lays out the 8 limbs of yoga for one to follow to practice yoga on and off the mat.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga serve as a guideline on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life.

1. Yama

The first of the 8 limbs of yoga. Yama deals with the ethical standards and focuses on our behavior and how we conduct ourselves. Yamas are the universal practice that relate to the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

The five Yamas are:

Ahimsa- nonviolence

Satya: truthfulness

Asteya: nonstealing

Brahmacharya: continence

Aparigraha: noncovetousness

2. Niyama

The second limb has to do with self-discipline and spiritual observations. This can be meditating regularly, attending church services, or making habits of taking contemplative walks alone.

The five niyamas are:

Saucha: cleanliness

Samtosa: contentment

Tapas: heat

Svadhyaya: study of one's self

Isvara pranidhana: surrender to higher power.

3. Asana

The third limb the the actual practice of yoga poses. through the practice of asanas, we develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate.

4. Pranayama

The fourth limb is focusing on breath control. We want to work on gaining mastery over our breath and understanding the link between the breath, mind, and emotions. The literal translation of pranayama is "life force extension". Yogi's believe that prcaticing breath work with rejuvenate your life and extend it.

5. Pratyahara

The fifth limb means withdrawal or sensory transcendence. This stage is when we make the conscious effort to draw our awareness away from the external world and outside stimuli while directing our focus internally. This allows us to reflect on our current habits and what we could increase or decrease in life.

6. Dharana

Each stage helps us prepare for the next, so by withdrawing from external stimuli we are set up for the sixth limb. This limb helps use focus on our mind itself. We learn how to slow down our thinking by concentrating on a single mental object. We become self-observant during this stage and this will naturally lead to meditation.

7. Dhyana

Full meditation is the seventh stage. This stage and stage 6 may seem to be the same, but they are slightly different and stage 6 helps prepare us. This limb of yoga helps us quiet the mind without thinking or hanging onto thoughts. This is a difficult task that many need practice on, but practice makes perfect.

8. Samadhi

The final limb is the state of ecstasy. This is where we reach the level of peace that comes altogether through the other limbs. This stage is where the path ends, but it takes time and patience to make it to this stage. Many may never make it here.

The point of the 8 Limbs is to help guide you through your yoga practice to reach the point of peace or enlightenment. With patience and practice you can work through the limbs. However when you start to feel overwhelmed by this, try to remember that this is a life long journey and not something you are going to do in a month or year.

Namaste :)