Patanjali describes the journey of Yoga through 8 specific disciplines known as Ashtanga or the 8-fold path.
These channel our energy and our senses in the right direction and much more.
It begins with Yama and Niyama,
The first two limbs of Ashtanga,
The restraints and observances that form our ethical foundation and internal attitudes.
These disciplines help us direct our daily behavior and internal attitudes.
Then comes Asana or posture,
The third limb.
Patanjali explains that the result of Asana is balance,
Good health,
Stillness of mind and the power to penetrate our own intelligence.
It is through Asana that we learn to know the body well and to recognize the difference between motion and action.
Motion excites the mind while action absorbs it.
For example,
Doing a sun salutation while the mind is swinging toward work deadline or what you are going to eat for dinner is merely motion.
Even if the body is moving,
The mind is elsewhere.
Action,
On the other hand,
However,
Is movement that absorbs the mind.
During the same sun salutation where every movement is aligned with the breath,
That is action.
Then the fourth limb is Pranayama,
The control of energy through the restraint of breath Next is Pratyahara,
The fifth limb,
The turning of the senses inward.
These help us explore our hidden layers and enable us to reach the very center of our being.
These help us explore our hidden layers and enable us to reach the very center of our being.
Dharana,
Concentration,
Dhyana,
Meditation and Samadhi,
Total absorption,
These are the last three limbs of Ashtanga Yoga,
Are the fulfillment of the practice.
While we speak of them in sequence,
All eight disciplines intermingle and interweave.
They form one seamless body of yoga.
When we master these,
The mind is no longer scattered by outward motion.
It becomes fully absorbed in the present moment,
Allowing us to rest in our own true nature.
Today,
Notice where you are simply in motion and where you can choose intentional action.
Namaste.
