When studying the Philosophy of Yoga, one must first study the Eight Limbs of Yoga, or Astanga (Ashtanga).  These include the philosophical teachings of Patanjali, as told in the Yoga Sutras.  There are 195 sutras in total and the lend a practical guide to the aspects of yoga to reach harmony and balance of body, intellect, and spirit.

These are practices that define and shape the characteristics of we live, how we are perceived, and how we see the world.  The better we understand our inner-most workings and truths, the closer we find ourselves to the ultimate goal, Samadhi, which we will discuss later.

Any branch of yoga may be practiced at any time. Your journey will be a unique one compared with the path than anyone else you know. It is through your own path that you learn and grow, developing a personal philosophy of your own. 

The Yamas

The yamas are guides through relations with the world outside of us. How our actions, thoughts, and speech relate to others. The ‘Golden Rule’, or “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, has foundation within the yamas. These five aspects deal with restraint and balance.

Ahimsa

Ahimsa is most often defined as non-violence, yet it is a much broader term. It is compassion for live and all things living.
Examine your initial reactions. If it is anger, impatience, or demeaning thoughts – inner or otherwise, then where is the root of this pattern? Are you letting yourself be defined by social, economical, or global situations? Is your true self being released?
Develop the qualities within yourself of understanding, compassion and acceptance, and a kind heart and mind. This is not only in relation to those around you, but to your own self, as well.
This extends to the workplace, supermarket, children and family. Incorporate ahimsa into the way you interpret friends, new acquaintances, pets, and even eating patterns. Nourish yourself by the accepting your flaws and strengths of character, will, and personality. Eat for health and nourishment and act for inner connection with the life around you.

Satya

Satya is honesty. Living honestly is not always easy, most importantly when we do not consciously realize when we are not.
Begin with communication. Are you communicating your self honestly? Are your motivations rooted in honesty? If your foundation of any relationship, be it work-related, personal, or romantic; is not based in truth, what do you have in actuality?
Think about your behaviors of the last few days. Have you conducted your actions through honest thought and reasoning? This is sometimes more difficult, while the truths of our environment, those we love, and habits of society do not always coincide with our own truths. Sometimes we tell ourselves small lives. It may be easier for a time, or perhaps it is to refrain from hurting someone else. Keep in mind that everyone has there own path, their own place in the world, their own truth. Your personal journey cannot be thought of only as a social concept, or otherwise. Search honestly with sincerity and you will achieve Satya, within and without yourself.

Asteya

This is usually defined as ‘non-stealing’. It also deals with instant gratification, knowing the roots of desiring what is beyond our selves, and release of materialism.
It sounds very simple in words such as these, and in truth, it is. It is the world around us in which we learn or adapt to the wanting, unhealthful coveting, of things, ideas, or products of our environment, our aspects of business, or imagination.
Respect the place of the people around you, their own activities, desires, and needs. Do not infringe on other peoples beliefs and truths in order to establish your own. Understand your passions and desires, and modify them, so you are not living inside the confinement of unfulfilled wanting, which has no end. Learn to appreciate simplicity, and enjoy what is freely given.

Brahmacharya

his yama deals with sexuality, sensuality, and the relationship of yourself, others, and the Divine.
Many religious traditions extend negativity to the subject, portraying celibacy as a tool for spirituality and as something belonging only to the physical world.
Celibacy and sexuality are two sides of the same idea. Both can be extremely self-nourishing, deeply insightful (both with the self and within relationships), and the connective tissue between desire and action, and thought and communication.
The link of sexuality and celibacy, an interpretation of brahmacharya, is balance. This is a commitment to honest behavior, the self, and ultimately, the divine energy – be it self-discovery, the gods, or beyond.

Aparigraha

Stepping beyond desires, wants, possessions, and attachment, is basic need. It is the inner path of non-greediness, primal knowledge of your own happiness, and release of habit.
When you live with only what is necessary, both for physical and spiritual survival, you no longer take or cling to that which only creates a pattern of wanting more. Release material reliance and you will find that you actually have more than enough for your own bliss, including health, a nurturing environment flourishing with life, a true self, and true people in your life.

The Niyamas

The niyamas turn our concentration into the self. Our observances, attitudes, and reactions. These five actions refer to the preparedness of our beings for samadhi.

Santosha

This is contentment. Contentment with the moment, including current acquirements, such as people in your life, your work, knowing you have all that is necessary to survive comfortably. This defines how you perceive that which you do not have, including future relationships, your life’s work, or memories. To nurture santosha, is finding satisfaction in the direction you have chosen, or choosing a new direction, and it directs the self from the passive approach towards life into living actively and fully.
Contentment with the truth of your own now directs and influences your happiness with the future.

Saucha

As the mind and body have a deep connection, purity of one directly affects the other. Studies have been made concerning a clean room and a child’s mental capacity of thought and emotional well-being. The same can be said of the environment in which we place ourselves. If your living space is cluttered and unclean, this translates into our mental state.
We are physically affected by the foods we choose to eat, the air filling our lungs, and the liquids sustaining our body.
The practice of yoga brings clarity of the mind, physical purity, and clarity of self – all directly linked within our being.

Tapas

Tap translates into fire, or burning. The will and strength of character drives us beyond limitations and brings the force necessary to carry out the work necessary for survival.
Tapas is self-control of our actions – our habits and practices controlling our life, discipline, and direction.
It is also the persistence and drive towards the unknown. To nurture it is to nurture your spiritual aspirations, physical self, and the next step in your life cycle that you have not even conceived of.

Ishvarapranidhana

This part of the niyamas is the acceptance and uplifting of the spiritual, be that a personal god, ideal, and the smallness of the self in the larger scene outside of it. This does not, in any way, take from the importance of the personal self, but places it within the perception of the Divine, surrendering to it. There is no separation of the two, but a link that is often acknowledged through tradition or ritual.
Through the realization and acceptance of a force greater than your knowledge, you can surrender the ego and fulfill your destiny.

Svadhyaya

This encompasses discovery and study of the self and the sacred/divine.
Each being feels the curiosity at one point or another, often starting with sacred or classic texts, depending on the environment in which they were placed. It may be religious, philosophical, or social – all displaying and explaining the regulations, ethics, and folklore of the inner and outer, or social, ethical, and political worlds.
Some prefer to begin with a journal, others choose a psychoanalyst, or therapist, to chart their personal progress, and some choose lectures and group meetings to discover their self.
Whatever the methodology, it is necessary for growth to pay attention to our action and reactions and underlying reasoning. Observe your own responses. To explore the self, you will also more easily understand the environment in which you live.

Asana

Primarily, in yoga, the practice of asana, or the poses/postures that develop the mind-body connection for self-exploration, is a tool towards samadhi. Asana prepares the body and mind for deep meditation.
Asana is also the most commonly known aspect of yoga. Learn More…

Pranayama

Prana is the vital life force, unseen and unheard, pranayama is the practice that creates awareness and regulates prana through breath control. The breath is understood through exercises and the exercises are understood through concentration of the total breath. It is the key between the body and mind and a fundamental base of the practice of yoga. To control the breath is to control your practice.
There is a quote from the guru Krishnamacharya that says, "Inhale, and God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, and God remains with you. Exhale, and you approach God. Hold the exhalation, and surrender to God." Learn More…

Pratyahara

This branch of yoga study focuses on the un-focusing of the senses, stepping aside from the world we can taste, touch, smell, hear, by creating another consciousness of our innermost selves.
We may unconsciously partake in smaller exercises similar to this daily. When there is a background sound that we do not wish to hear or it simply becomes monotonous, the brain then filters the sound out as we focus on other things of different importance. We put on sunglasses to filter out the harmful lights that may cause injury the eyes, or are just too bright.
Practice meditation alone. After asana practice, try deep relaxation. This prepares the body for pratyahara, and ultimately, enlightenment. It is simply deciding that one thing is more important than what is right in front of you and re-focusing the mind. Practice with persistence and withdrawing from the senses will become natural.

Dharana

As we delve into our inner being and mind, we bring from the other five branches a quiet balanced awareness to find a simple internal concentration.
The mind is quiet, without preconceived notion, prejudice, or points of worry. Begin with small amounts of time and then gradually increase, so as to prepare the mind for dhyana.
Deep concentration begins with the will, and letting go of the senses, fitting unfettered into meditation.

Dhyana

Dyana is the meditation of an open mind; complete and totally aware, yet singly-focused. The self opens in the quiet of reflection and the reflected image becomes the self. The seer is yourself.
You may say that this is a change of focus that leads to a change of perception, leading to a deeper understanding and acceptance as an observer without distraction. We remain detached, yet aware, letting all thoughts become one and all action cease within. This is an unmoving, quiet alertness, deeper that sleep, opening the mind to reflection of the true samadhi within.

Samadhi

amadhi is the absolute experience, the unsurpassed connection, the ecstatic awareness of knowledge. It is the yoga (union, to yoke/bring together) of the self, life, the living, and the Divine. It is the universal self, timeless awareness that is the truth of yoga.



Through your path in yoga you will notice and feel changes within your abilities to concentrate and mental coordination, the order your of thoughts and thinking, and the agility in which you move. Your breath will change your health. Your awareness of self will alter not only the possibilities that you see in life, but also the way by which you learn from your direction.