The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga
by Enilse Sehuanes-Urbaniak, E-RYT
by Enilse Sehuanes-Urbaniak, E-RYT
Awareness: Explore the Yamas and Niyamas—the first two limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras—and discover how these timeless teachings can support everyday life.
"Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence".
- Sutra 1.2 - Alistair Shearer, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- Sutra 1.2 - Alistair Shearer, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
What Yoga Means
Yoga is more than movement. It is a path for bringing the body, mind, and spirit into harmony. Rooted in India more than 2,000 years ago, this practice helps build strength, clarity, and flexibility while guiding us toward samadhi, the union of body, mind, and soul merging with the Universal Spirit.
Yoga is more than movement. It is a path for bringing the body, mind, and spirit into harmony. Rooted in India more than 2,000 years ago, this practice helps build strength, clarity, and flexibility while guiding us toward samadhi, the union of body, mind, and soul merging with the Universal Spirit.
The Yoga Sutras
The Yoga Sutras offer a clear, practical map for quieting the mind. Written as 196 concise Sanskrit verses attributed to the sage Patanjali. These teachings invite us to notice our patterns, create positive changes, and look beyond physical postures toward a deeper experience of yoga as a daily dedication to growth- even in today's modern world.
The Yoga Sutras offer a clear, practical map for quieting the mind. Written as 196 concise Sanskrit verses attributed to the sage Patanjali. These teachings invite us to notice our patterns, create positive changes, and look beyond physical postures toward a deeper experience of yoga as a daily dedication to growth- even in today's modern world.
The First Two Limbs
The first two limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (ashtanga, in Sanskrit, literally means "eight limbs") —the yamas and niyamas—bring ancient wisdom into daily life. They help us understand our habits, relate more consciously to others, and reconnect with ourselves in a meaningful way.
The first two limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (ashtanga, in Sanskrit, literally means "eight limbs") —the yamas and niyamas—bring ancient wisdom into daily life. They help us understand our habits, relate more consciously to others, and reconnect with ourselves in a meaningful way.
Living Your Yoga
The yamas guide how we live in relationships with others and the natural world. The niyamas nurture inner discipline, self-awareness, and mindfulness. Together, they offer simple yet powerful practices for conscious living, meeting life’s challenges with more patience, kindness, compassion, and presence.
The yamas guide how we live in relationships with others and the natural world. The niyamas nurture inner discipline, self-awareness, and mindfulness. Together, they offer simple yet powerful practices for conscious living, meeting life’s challenges with more patience, kindness, compassion, and presence.
Begin with one breath: notice your thoughts, choose kindness, equanimity, love, and surrender, and let yoga support your inner and outer journey—one mindful moment at a time.
References and Suggested Reading:
Desikachar, T.K.V., The Heart of Yoga: Developing Personal Practice. Inner Traditions International, Rochester, Vermont, 1995.
Iyengar, B.K.S., Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Aquarian Press, Hammersmith, London, 1993. Iyengar, B.K.S., The Tree of Yoga. Shambala, Boston, 1989. Satchidananda, Sri Swami, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Integral Yoga Publications, Yoga Ville, Virginia, 1978.
Shearer, Alistair, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Bell Tower, New York, 1982.
Tharkar, Vimala, Glimpses of Raja Yoga: An Introduction to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Rodmell Press, Berkeley, California, 2005.
References and Suggested Reading:
Desikachar, T.K.V., The Heart of Yoga: Developing Personal Practice. Inner Traditions International, Rochester, Vermont, 1995.
Iyengar, B.K.S., Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Aquarian Press, Hammersmith, London, 1993. Iyengar, B.K.S., The Tree of Yoga. Shambala, Boston, 1989. Satchidananda, Sri Swami, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Integral Yoga Publications, Yoga Ville, Virginia, 1978.
Shearer, Alistair, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Bell Tower, New York, 1982.
Tharkar, Vimala, Glimpses of Raja Yoga: An Introduction to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Rodmell Press, Berkeley, California, 2005.