The 8 Limbs of Yoga Explained

When we think of yoga, we think of a yoga studio, full of participants wearing the latest fashionable clothing, twisting their bodies into disturbing poses.

Yoga is in fact a Sanskrit work, that means the perfect union with the mind, body and spirit.

When we “flow” we are only practicing one part of yoga.

The most well known yoga text is the The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali were he defines the Ashtanga Eight Limbs of Yoga. This text was written approximately in 2 BCE

The Yoga Sutras are guidelines to help us live a more fuller, happier life. (I would settle for contented life)

In Sanskrit, the word Ashtanga means eight limbs and this could be interpreted into eight practices that we should follow; to try and master in order to transcend human suffering and recognize our true nature.

Yama’s

The Yamas are rules of moral code and include ahimsa, satya, asteya, bramacharya and aparigraha.

Niyama’s

The Niyamas are rules of personal behaviour including saucha, santosha, tapas, svadhyaya and Ishvara Pranidhana.

Asana

Refers to yoga postures but in Patanjali’s initial practice it referred to mastering the body to sit still for meditation. The practice of yoga asanas came about 8 centuries later, which helped disciples ready their body for meditation.

Pranayama

Yoga breathing techniques designed to control prana or life force.

Pratyahara

Withdrawal of the senses

Dharana

Concentration

Dhyana

Practice of meditation

Samadhi

Merging with the divine.

Being Prepared Paid Off

Be prepared.. Baden Powell

When I was nearing the end of my YTT my yoga teacher suggested that we have 3 or 4 practices written out for different styles of yoga practice, just in case we got a call to run a practice last minute.

What sage advice.

I had written out a few flows that I borrowed from some books and/or videos. I then tried them out and adjusted to suit my style.

Tonight I got a text, to cover someone’s yoga practice as they were sick. It was also a style that I hadn’t taught before but I had a flow prepared!!! I grabbed it, and I followed it closely but .,,

It worked out perfectly!!!

Everyone seemed grounded and happy afterwards!! Beautiful

Speak softly and carry a big stick

What’s the meaning of the phrase ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’?

Speak softly and carry a big stick’ is a proverbial saying advising the tactic of caution and non-aggression, backed up by the ability to carry out violent action if required.

This caught my attention today and although it is strong undertones, I do believe that speak softly is very important especially when you have power or influence over someone.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a practice of moving into energetic balance amid the constant changes in our lives.

The “ha” part is more the energizing and the “tha” part more relaxing.

Yoga classes should create a sustainable balance of energy, a sattvic effect in which we feel fully awakened yet calm and clear.

Fully awake and Calm & Clear.

Design and teach a class that enables students to re-enter the world grounded, awake and clear.

What is a Slow Flow Gentle Vinyasa Yoga Flow?

A Gentle Vinyasa Slow Flow is a style of yoga practice that incorporates flowing movements, breathwork, and mindfulness at a slower pace. This should make the practice accessible to practitioners of all levels, including beginners and those with physical limitations.

Here’s an informal breakdown of what you might expect in a Gentle Vinyasa session:

  1. Mindful Breathing: The practice often begins with centering breathwork to calm the mind and connect with the present moment. This might involve deep belly breathing or other pranayama techniques.
  2. Warm-Up: Gentle movements are used to warm up the body, focusing on stretching and mobilizing major muscle groups and joints. This helps to prepare the body for the more dynamic sequences to come.
  3. Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar): Modified versions of sun salutations are typically included in Gentle Vinyasa classes. These sequences link breath with movement and flow through a series of poses to build a little heat and energy in the body, albeit at a slower pace than in a traditional Vinyasa class.
  4. Standing Poses: A variety of standing poses are incorporated to improve balance, strength, and flexibility. These poses may include gentle twists, lunges, and warrior poses, often with modifications or the use of props to support stability.
  5. Seated Poses: The practice may transition to seated poses, focusing on gentle stretches for the hips, hamstrings, and spine. These poses can help to increase flexibility and release tension in the body.
  6. Cool Down: The session typically concludes with a series of cooling down poses, such as gentle forward folds, supine twists, and restorative poses. These poses help to calm the nervous system, promote relaxation, and prepare the body for final relaxation.
  7. Final Relaxation (Savasana): Every yoga session traditionally ends with savasana, or corpse pose, where practitioners lie down on their backs, close their eyes, and relax completely. This allows the body and mind to integrate the benefits of the practice and experience deep relaxation.

Throughout the practice, the instructor will often emphasize mindfulness, encouraging practitioners to stay present with their breath and sensations in the body, and to honor their individual needs and limitations. The pace of the practice is slow and gentle, allowing for a meditative experience that nurtures both physical and mental well-being.

Yoga by Mārk

A Life Reminder:

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

A reminder:

  • Yoga is medicine.
  • Self-Kindness is medicine.
  • Nature is medicine.
  • Gratitude is medicine.
  • Journaling is medicine.
  • Meditation is medicine.
  • Hydration is medicine.
  • Sleep is medicine.
  • Mindfulness is medicine.
  • Space is medicine.
  • Self-Love is medicine.

Review and which one is missing from your life? Hopefully none

Yoga Is Not A Workout

Daily writing prompt
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
View all responses

When I started to practice yoga I treated it like fitness – Bikram, Hot Yoga, back to back practices. This is generally the North American perspective.

I was visiting someone in Florida, and we went to a yoga studio. The owner of the sudio didn’t speak much English, and my Spanish was non existent but when I finally communicated that I did “Bikram”, she scoffed at the idea and said in broken English “No real yoga”.

I didn’t really understand what she meant until I found a local studio. Sarah Melody who focused on mental well being, grounding practices. It was then that I started to understand that yoga was more than just a physical practice.

And now, I have learnt that that there are 8-limbs to yoga, and I love it. I am so much calmer, accepting of myself and others.

Photo by JESHOOTS.com on Pexels.com

Viloma Pranayama

Viloma Pranayama is a simple breathing technique that can be added to a practice.

There are two versions, and both can be practiced either sitting in Easy Pose (Sukhasana) or lying down in Corpse Pose (Savasana).

Photo by Monstera Production on Pexels.com

Version 1 – Exhalation Viloma

  1. Extend the spine upwards, by sitting tall.
  2. Bring a hand to your chest, and the other to your tummy. This will allow you to create a connection with the prana flowing into your body.
  3. Close your eyes, and find your regular breath. Notice 2 rounds of regular breath. Let it be normal and easy.
  4. Take a deep inhale, and fill your chest and stomach fully.
  5. Once you are full, take a pause for 2 seconds.
  6. Then in a controlled and relaxed way, exhale.
  7. After 2 seconds, pause.
  8. Continue exhaling..
  9. Pause again after 2 seconds
  10. Continue exhaling, until your lungs are empty
  11. Pause for 2 seconds
  12. Inhale again, and repeat this process, 6 to 8 times.

Version 2 – Inhalation Viloma

  1. Extend the spine upwards, by sitting tall.
  2. Bring a hand to your chest, and the other to your tummy. This will allow you to create a connection with the prana flowing into your body.
  3. Close your eyes, and find your regular breath. Notice 2 rounds of regular breath. Let it be normal and easy.
  4. Take a deep inhale.
  5. After 2 seconds, pause.
  6. Continue to inhale.
  7. After 2 seconds, pause again.
  8. Continue to inhale, until you are full.
  9. Pause for another 2 seconds
  10. Then in a controlled and relaxed way, exhale completely.
  11. Inhale again, and repeat this process, 6 to 8 times.

Notes:

A pause is a complete stop. It can be 1 or 2 seconds, whatever you are comfortable doing.

Once you have completed this practice, you should feel at peace with yourself.