The Yoga of Patanjali
Patanjali was a philosopher and yogi who lived many thousands of years ago. He did not invent yoga, but decided to encapsulate the essence of many varied branches of yoga into one comprehensive and simple text, the Yoga Sutras. He called his yoga, Ashtanga which means eight-limbed path. Patanjali divided his Yoga Sutras into 4 chapters or books (Sanskrit pada), containing in all 196 aphorisms. Many people are surprised at how succinct his teachings, and yet still profound, especially considering the great volumes of text contained within many other spiritual teachings such as the Vedas.
His Sutras are called the Samadhi Pada (51 sutras), the Sadhana Pada (55 sutras), the Vibhuti Pada (56 sutras) and the Kaivalya Pada (34 sutras). One of the foremost teachings within his 196 is the definition of asana: a comfortable, steady posture. The further essence of his writings are broken up as follows:
Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga:
Yama (Principles or moral code)
Ahimsa - A principle of non-violence
Satya - A principle of Truthfulness
Asteya - A principle of non stealing
Brahmacharya - Continence / celibacy
Aparigah - A principle of non-hoarding or non possessiveness
Niyama (Personal Disciplines)
Shoucha - Purity
Santosh - Contentment
Tapa - Endurance
Swadhyaya- Self study
Eshwar Pranidhan- Dedication
Asana - (Yoga Postures / positions) A stable and comfortable posture which helps attain mental
equilibrium.
Pranayama - (Yoga Breathing) Extension and control of breath.
Pratyahara - (Withdrawal of Senses) A mental preparation to increase the power of mind.
Dharana - (Concentration on Object) Concentration of mind on one object and its field.
Dhyan - (Meditation) With drawing mind from all external objects and Focusing it on one point and meditating on it.
Samadhi - (Salvation) State of Super bliss, joy and merging individual consciousness in to universal consciousness. Union between Jivatman and Paramatman. Union of Shiva and Shakti in Sahasrar Chakra (the top of the head). Realizing the Bramhan (pure consciousness) or Realization of God is the ultimate achievement of Human Birth.
