8 Limbs of Yoga: Connect With Yourself

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How to Live Yoga off your Mat

A “Yogi” is a person who has achieved a high level of spiritual insight, a believer of yoga philosophy and, all in all, a wonderful magical being! Even if someone doesn’t practice the physical poses (asanas) of yoga, I believe many people are absolutely 100% Yogis at heart. Deep down we all want to live a happy, healthy, peaceful life.

Understanding and living The 8 Limbs of Yoga, more importantly, the Yamas and Niyamas, can allow us the freedom to live a more blissful life! The following is inspired by my yoga teacher training and by Deborah Adele, author of The Yamas and Niyamas:

The 8 Limbs of Yoga

Yama: Our behavior towards others and towards our environment. Deepens our understanding and practice of consideration, proper communication, non-covetousness, moderation, and the absence of greed.
Niyama: Concerns our personal disciplines and our attitudes towards ourselves and towards others. This includes personal cleanliness, contentment, the removal of impurities through discipline and proper habits and the continued learning about acceptance of our limitations.
Asana: Physical yoga practice.
Pranayama: Training our breath in ways that have an effect on our mind, awareness and state.
Pratyahara: Concerns the influence on the sense on our minds and withdrawing the mind.
Dharana: Concentration
Dyhana: Stabilizing the mind with an uninterrupted state of concentration.
Samadhi: Pure awareness; the mind is free of its ordinary distractions and movement, it’s a blissful state.

The first two, Yamas and Niyamas can be thought of as detailed road maps for your journey of life. They are like sacred healing crystals of wisdom that you give direction to an abundantly, spiritually healthy life. The first 5 are known as the Yamas (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-excess, and non-possessiveness).

Yamas:

Ahimsa

Non-violence, compassion, understanding, loving-kindness, self-love in words, thoughts and actions:

Pay attention to how you treat yourself and others, including your thoughts.
Reflect: In what ways can I be softer to myself and to others?
Affirmation: I am perfect the way I am. I am worthy. I am beautiful.

“Every pair of eyes facing you has probably experienced something you could not endure.” – Lucille Clifton.

Every soul we encounter has painful stories deep in their hearts. If we can remember this certainty, then maybe we can treat everyone with kindness and compassion rather than placing our own judgments and opinions on them. This same truth goes for ourselves because how we treat ourselves is how we treat others. Ahimsa asks us to be kind and gentle with ourselves and those around us. Ahimsa asks us to step delicately, have kindness and to praise the relationship we have with ourselves, those around us and the earth.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tzu

Satya

Truth. Being Honest, genuine, authentic, owning feelings, practicing conscious communication and integrity.

After saying something that doesn’t feel 100% correct, ask yourself: Am I being honest?
If you make a mistake, let go of defense, apologize right away and mean it.
Affirmations: I am truth. I speak the truth to others and to myself. I speak from the heart and with love. I see and take responsibility for my own part in every situation.

Real comes from our soul, it is our very spirit; it is not imagined or supposed. Real lets us live from a place where there is nothing to hide. Real is something we may not always like, but it is authentic and you can trust it. Our earthly “knowing” is limited and shaped by those events around us, as well as by our own experiences. What we believe, whether we are conscious of that belief or not, instructs everything we do and every choice we make. To be a person of truth is to understand that everyone has their own individual truths and, even though they may not be your truths, they are still real and authentic. To be a person of truth is to open our hearts to understand other people's thruths so we can see things in a different lights.

"Three things can not be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." -Buddha

“Give yourself time to wonder, to search for the truth. Have holy curiosity. Make your life worth living.” – Albert Einstein

Asteya

Non-stealing. Providing for one’s self and not taking what is not yours. Not stealing another person’s intellectual property, time, or freedom. Not stealing someone’s time or energy by complaining.

Take responsibility for providing for yourself in the world.
Declare your abundance and praise other’s success.
Affirmation: I live in appreciation for all that I have. I take only what is rightfully mine. I respect the possessions, time and talent of others.

Our society and culture has taught us that who we are is based on what we have. We wear all we posses like gold medals around our necks. Living like this means we have left no time for ourselves to fully live our own lives and to recognize who our souls really are; this may be our biggest fraud of all. We need to slow down in order to be with our true selves. We need to reflect upon ourselves and allow the experience of life to harmonize within us. We need time to turn our emotions and feelings into words and communicate with integrity in our hearts.

“Walk softly upon this earth – giving what you can and taking only what you need.” – Buddha

Aparighraha

Non-attachment and non-possessiveness. Letting things go with ease when they are no longer serving us. Only taking what is necessary and no more. Keeping life simple and being happy with what you have.

How many clothes do you have in your closet? Do you need them all?
Who/what are you attached to that is no longer keeping your soul content?
Affirmation: I release attachment to other people, substances and impractical principles that do not serve me. I recognize the difference between want and need.

“You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes, you just need to breathe, trust your instincts and let go...see what happens.” – Unknown

“What if we could trust life like we can trust the breath? What if we could take in all the nourishment of the moment and let it go fully, trusting that more nourishment will come? Just like the breath gives us nourishment, so does life in the form of homes, work, relationship, routines, etc. There is nourishment until we get attached to these things, often unconsciously and then disturb ourselves with expectations, opinions, criticisms, disappointments, all because we forgot to trust life, exhale and let go. Like the breath when it is held too long, the things that nourish us can become toxic.” – Deborah Adele

Brahmacharya

The right use of energy and how it leads us to the divine or higher power, examining how energy is affected by choices we make about diet, how we speak to others, how we treat our relationships and how we choose to spend time. Be more aware of your choices to create a harmonic life.

Listen to what your body needs.
Watch your commitments; what part of your life is exhausting you?
Notice how the vibration of your words affects you and others around you.
Notice how the vibration of media, gossip and people affect you and others around you.
What are you giving your personal energy to?
Affirmation: I focus my energy on creating effortless balance in my life.

It is important to listen to what our bodies need; take time to stop, feel and hear what our body is telling us.

Niyamas:

Saucha

Purity and cleanliness; stepping outside of yourself so that you can get a clear picture of what you want and obtain what it is that you desire. A clean house and clean body equal a clean mind.

Clean water, breath work (pranayama), self care.
Affirmation: I create clean balance in my body by exercising, pranayama, meditation and healthy eating. My inner and outer environments are organized.

The practice of Saucha asks use to slow down and focus on one thing at a time. As we learn how to breathe and slow down giving one thing our deliberate attention, we will notice ourselves more unified and authentic with the moment.

“A messy house is a messy mind; a clean house is a clean mind.” - EY

Santosha

Authentic contentment with oneself and learning how to honor life’s ups and downs; pure satisfaction by learning how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Excepting one’s circumstances.

Recognizing that things will not always be perfect, learning how to make space for dark emotions and be content with them.
Affirmations: I am fulfilled. I relax into the flow of life. I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

“Stay true with who you are and be ok with it. Happiness comes and goes; being at peace is eternal.” – EY

Tapas

Discipline, dedication, patience, “heat” or “glow” created by trials and tribulations. Commitment to making conscious choices in thought, actions and words that lead you to your highest self.

Make commitments and set goals.
Dedicate yourself to creating and maintaining healthy habits.
Affirmations: I have balanced goals for life and work. I do not drain my energy by over working myself.

"Tapas is the sense of “cooking” ourselves in the fire of discipline to transform ourselves into something else. Tapas eventually turn us into a cauldron that can withstand any of life’s challenges." Deborah Adele

Swadhyaya

Self-study, self awareness, self examination of thoughts, words, relationships and actions. Learning about yourself.

Track patterns in your life.
Take in inspirational words twice a day.
Study spiritual teachings that resonate with you.
Affirmations: I expand my self-knowledge and reflect upon my life with greater awareness. I practice positive self awareness.

Self observation is the ability to see ourselves act and respond. It is this ability to see that begins to bring healing and contentment to our lives. Understanding that we don’t know who our souls truly are, allows us to open up to true self discovery.

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”- Lao Tzu

Ishvar-Pranidhana

Surrender. Life knows what to do better than we do. Through devotion and trust we can receive each moment with an open mind and an open heart. Go with the flow, enjoy the ride and love your journey…the journey that was meant for you.

Practice being present, connecting to love, laughing and embracing all of life. Dance, do yoga, meditate, get Reiki and a massage.
Focus on your breathe and be in the moment.
Affirmations: I am relaxed and I let the higher power lead the way. I recognize my full brilliance.

Surrender is ultimately your devotion that takes place in the heart and permeates through our attitudes and actions. It is surrender of the ego to a higher purpose and power. Life begins to take on an ease and a rhythm. As the ego stops fighting to be number one, life begins to unfold in beautiful ways.

If we begin to embrace and live these sacred healing crystals of wisdom of the Yamas and Niyamas, we may notice that our time is freeing up and there is more space in our lives. The days begin to feel lighter and easier. Our relationships are more fulfilled, work is more enjoyable and we are having more fun. We are truly living an abundantly, spiritually healthy life.

Click Here to Add Yoga to Your Life

To book a private yoga session, please click HERE or email:

essentialyogis@gmail.com

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How to Live Yoga off your Mat

Understanding and living The 8 Limbs of Yoga, more importantly, the Yamas and Niyamas, can allow us the freedom to live a more blissful life! The following is inspired by my yoga teacher training and by Deborah Adele, author of The Yamas and Niyamas:

The 8 Limbs of Yoga

Yama: Our behavior towards others and towards our environment. Deepens our understanding and practice of consideration, proper communication, non-covetousness, moderation, and the absence of greed.

Niyama: Concerns our personal disciplines and our attitudes towards ourselves and towards others. This includes personal cleanliness, contentment, the removal of impurities through discipline and proper habits and the continued learning about acceptance of our limitations.

Asana: Physical yoga practice.

Pranayama: Training our breath in ways that have an effect on our mind, awareness and state.

Pratyahara: Concerns the influence on the sense on our minds and withdrawing the mind.

Dharana: Concentration

Dyhana: Stabilizing the mind with an uninterrupted state of concentration.

Samadhi: Pure awareness; the mind is free of its ordinary distractions and movement, it’s a blissful state.

Yamas:

Ahimsa

Non-violence, compassion, understanding, loving-kindness, self-love in words, thoughts and actions:

Pay attention to how you treat yourself and others, including your thoughts.

Reflect: In what ways can I be softer to myself and to others?

Affirmation: I am perfect the way I am. I am worthy. I am beautiful.

“Every pair of eyes facing you has probably experienced something you could not endure.” – Lucille Clifton.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tzu

Satya

Truth. Being Honest, genuine, authentic, owning feelings, practicing conscious communication and integrity.

After saying something that doesn’t feel 100% correct, ask yourself: Am I being honest?

If you make a mistake, let go of defense, apologize right away and mean it.

Affirmations: I am truth. I speak the truth to others and to myself. I speak from the heart and with love. I see and take responsibility for my own part in every situation.

"Three things can not be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." -Buddha

“Give yourself time to wonder, to search for the truth. Have holy curiosity. Make your life worth living.” – Albert Einstein

Asteya

Non-stealing. Providing for one’s self and not taking what is not yours. Not stealing another person’s intellectual property, time, or freedom. Not stealing someone’s time or energy by complaining.

Take responsibility for providing for yourself in the world.

Declare your abundance and praise other’s success.

Affirmation: I live in appreciation for all that I have. I take only what is rightfully mine. I respect the possessions, time and talent of others.

“Walk softly upon this earth – giving what you can and taking only what you need.” – Buddha

Aparighraha

Non-attachment and non-possessiveness. Letting things go with ease when they are no longer serving us. Only taking what is necessary and no more. Keeping life simple and being happy with what you have.

How many clothes do you have in your closet? Do you need them all?

Who/what are you attached to that is no longer keeping your soul content?

Affirmation: I release attachment to other people, substances and impractical principles that do not serve me. I recognize the difference between want and need.

“You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes, you just need to breathe, trust your instincts and let go...see what happens.” – Unknown

Brahmacharya

The right use of energy and how it leads us to the divine or higher power, examining how energy is affected by choices we make about diet, how we speak to others, how we treat our relationships and how we choose to spend time. Be more aware of your choices to create a harmonic life.

Listen to what your body needs.

Watch your commitments; what part of your life is exhausting you?

Notice how the vibration of your words affects you and others around you.

Notice how the vibration of media, gossip and people affect you and others around you.

What are you giving your personal energy to?

Affirmation: I focus my energy on creating effortless balance in my life.

It is important to listen to what our bodies need; take time to stop, feel and hear what our body is telling us.

Niyamas:

Saucha

Purity and cleanliness; stepping outside of yourself so that you can get a clear picture of what you want and obtain what it is that you desire. A clean house and clean body equal a clean mind.

Clean water, breath work (pranayama), self care.

Affirmation: I create clean balance in my body by exercising, pranayama, meditation and healthy eating. My inner and outer environments are organized.

The practice of Saucha asks use to slow down and focus on one thing at a time. As we learn how to breathe and slow down giving one thing our deliberate attention, we will notice ourselves more unified and authentic with the moment.

“A messy house is a messy mind; a clean house is a clean mind.” - EY

Santosha

Authentic contentment with oneself and learning how to honor life’s ups and downs; pure satisfaction by learning how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Excepting one’s circumstances.

Recognizing that things will not always be perfect, learning how to make space for dark emotions and be content with them.

Affirmations: I am fulfilled. I relax into the flow of life. I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

“Stay true with who you are and be ok with it. Happiness comes and goes; being at peace is eternal.” – EY

Tapas

Discipline, dedication, patience, “heat” or “glow” created by trials and tribulations. Commitment to making conscious choices in thought, actions and words that lead you to your highest self.

Make commitments and set goals.

Dedicate yourself to creating and maintaining healthy habits.

Affirmations: I have balanced goals for life and work. I do not drain my energy by over working myself.

"Tapas is the sense of “cooking” ourselves in the fire of discipline to transform ourselves into something else. Tapas eventually turn us into a cauldron that can withstand any of life’s challenges." Deborah Adele

Swadhyaya

Self-study, self awareness, self examination of thoughts, words, relationships and actions. Learning about yourself.

Track patterns in your life.

Take in inspirational words twice a day.

Study spiritual teachings that resonate with you.

Affirmations: I expand my self-knowledge and reflect upon my life with greater awareness. I practice positive self awareness.

Self observation is the ability to see ourselves act and respond. It is this ability to see that begins to bring healing and contentment to our lives. Understanding that we don’t know who our souls truly are, allows us to open up to true self discovery.

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”- Lao Tzu

Ishvar-Pranidhana

Surrender. Life knows what to do better than we do. Through devotion and trust we can receive each moment with an open mind and an open heart. Go with the flow, enjoy the ride and love your journey…the journey that was meant for you.

Practice being present, connecting to love, laughing and embracing all of life. Dance, do yoga, meditate, get Reiki and a massage.