Burning zeal in practice, self-study and study of scriptures, and surrender to God are the acts of yoga.
—B. K. S. Iyengar
Today's entry touches on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali—a classic topic. During yoga teacher training (TT), we were assigned several books, each focusing on different aspects of yoga, from alignment to anatomy, philosophy, sequencing, and more. One of those books was Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar, and it’s still one of my go-tos. When I started teaching and offering private instruction, I needed a bio and business cards. Both feature one of my favorite Iyengar quotes: “Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” As a dancer, singer, and lover of all kinds of music, this quote resonated with me deeply. It still does, and I still use it in my bios.
Another key text from my training was Inside the Yoga Sutras by Carrera—a tough read, but essential for breaking down the Sutras. Meditations take us through the Yoga Sutras, and Gates describes them as an “outline for living that flows from action to knowledge to liberation. This plan, or path, has eight limbs, which function more like spokes on a wheel than steps on a ladder.”
If you practice yoga, you’ve probably encountered the Eight-Limb Path or at least some terms like asana (poses), yamas, and niyamas (the five moral restraints and five observances). The yamas and niyamas serve as the foundation of yoga practice, akin to the Ten Commandments. They also highlight yoga's connection to principles found in many religions, including my own. That said, yoga is not a religion but a spiritual practice that can lead people toward a religious path, depending on their beliefs. For me, any religious path connects the faithful to their concept of Source, and through that, to a greater sense of oneness. That’s what yoga has given me: connection to all beings and to GUS.
To better understand the next few paragraphs, here are some key terms:
The next two limbs are tapas (spirituality in action) and involve asana (postures) and pranayama (yogic breathing). Together with yamas and niyamas, they form our path of action, bringing us into alignment with ourselves, others, and the universe. Asanas refine our bodies and senses, while pranayama helps us control our breath, connecting us with life energy. These four practices rejuvenate the body, clear the mind, and bring peace to the heart, allowing us to handle life’s pressures with calm. The next two limbs—pratyahara (withdrawal from senses) and dharana (concentration)—lead us inward, where we can connect more deeply with our souls. The final limbs, dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (union), represent the surrender of the self to the universal self. Dhyana is meditation, and samadhi is the state in which meditation is no longer necessary, as we experience oneness and return to our source.
The eight limbs serve as a roadmap, but like in life, the journey is more important than the destination. In Alcoholics Anonymous, they say, "we must be willing to grow along spiritual lines," which is all that’s needed to begin a yoga practice. We just need to remain open to our spiritual potential and be willing to act on our behalf. Over time, we’ll explore each aspect of the Eight-Limb Path together—embarking on the great adventure from darkness into light.
Rereading this after so many years, I realize I’ve forgotten some of the terminology and core principles, even though I live and teach yoga daily. It’s like family or anything we love—sometimes we take it for granted. So, I’m grateful for the chance to refresh what I know. The Eight-Limb Path offers a roadmap to better understand ourselves and our lives. Interestingly, this ties back to what I offer through my business. Helping people understand themselves through customized wellness solutions is why I created Custom Designed Wellness and what I hope to offer in these entries here, too!!
It’s amazing to see how it all connects back. 😊
Namaste, and thanks for reading!
Lauri
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