Philosophy of Yoga
The philosophy of yoga is comprehensive and complex. Over the millennia, yoga has been influenced by different traditions and has evolved into a wide variety of actual practices. This section simply provides a brief description of the classic eightfold path of yoga which, in some form, is used by all yoga schools and practitioners today.
The eight limbs of yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga (ashta = eight) were laid out in the ancient Classical text The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali., which probably dates back to the 2nd century C.E. but could be as old as 1500 B.C.E. The Classical school of yoga believed that the eight limbs had to be followed in exact sequence in order to attain true peace and liberation. However, some ancient schools, as well as today’s modern schools, see the eight limbs more as spokes on a wheel, with the execution of a combination of the paths leading to freedom and true consciousness. Different schools and styles of yoga emphasize different components of this eight-limbed path.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
These eight practices create harmony within you and in your relationship to the world. These practices can be seen as invitations to act in ways that promote inner and outer peace and happiness.
The first two limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, the yamas and niyamas, are considered the ten pillars of wisdom and are moral codes for living life in an ethical manner.
The eight limbs of yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga (ashta = eight) were laid out in the ancient Classical text The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali., which probably dates back to the 2nd century C.E. but could be as old as 1500 B.C.E. The Classical school of yoga believed that the eight limbs had to be followed in exact sequence in order to attain true peace and liberation. However, some ancient schools, as well as today’s modern schools, see the eight limbs more as spokes on a wheel, with the execution of a combination of the paths leading to freedom and true consciousness. Different schools and styles of yoga emphasize different components of this eight-limbed path.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
- Yamas (social restraints)
- Niyamas (personal observances)
- Asana (physical posture)
- Pranayama (breathing exercises)
- Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (meditation)
- Samadhi (pure contemplation, self-actualization)
These eight practices create harmony within you and in your relationship to the world. These practices can be seen as invitations to act in ways that promote inner and outer peace and happiness.
The first two limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, the yamas and niyamas, are considered the ten pillars of wisdom and are moral codes for living life in an ethical manner.
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The Yamas
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The Niyamas
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Namaste
The Sanskrit word Namaste is used as a greeting among yogis worldwide, and is exchanged between teachers and students at the end of every yoga class. A basic translation of Namaste follows.
I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells.
I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace.
When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.
I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells.
I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace.
When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.
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