Eight Limbs of Yoga: Part 1

by Catherine Madsen
Bliss Crafter, Austin Yoga Tree

The eight limbs of yoga are eight levels that act as guidelines for how to live a meaningful and fulfilled life. The limbs also serve as a code of conduct to live by in order to reach spiritual enlightenment. It is important to understand that the eight limbs build on each other; in other words, the first limbs are the foundation for our spiritual journey. A strong foundation allows us to move from one limb to the next, leading to the eighth limb, spiritual enlightenment.

First, let’s talk about our spiritual journey; this term can seem daunting. The reality is that everyone who practices yoga may not see himself or herself as being on a spiritual journey. You may not have plans to renounce all material possessions and travel through the Himalayas. You may not have plans to spend your next vacation at an ashram. You may not have plans to quit your job and become a monk. Just because these are not your goals does not mean that you are not in the midst of a spiritual journey. Recall, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings have a human experience.” Everything you do is spiritual, whether you see it as such or not. Helping a friend move is spiritual. Adopting a dog from a shelter is spiritual. Love is spiritual. And these spiritual moments throughout the day are chances for us to progress on our journey.

The eight limbs of yoga break down the steps on our spiritual journey and remind us what our foundation is composed of. 

First limb: Yama

The word yama means restraint. Yamas are ethical standards that we should abide by in our daily lives. Yamas shape our everyday behaviors and how we conduct ourselves. There are 5 yamas.
1. Ahimsa – nonviolence

• Ahimsa is the first yama of the first limb of yoga, which means it is the basis for all other limbs and the basis for our lives.
  
• Ahimsa teaches us to be nonviolent in a physical way but also in an emotional way. We should love and accept everyone and everything unconditionally. 
  
• Love connects us; love is at our core. Ahimsa reminds us of this and asks that we return to love on a daily basis. 

2. Satya – truthfulness, non-telling of lies

• Satya says that we should be honest, truthful beings. We should not tell lies to others or to ourselves.
  
• Satya also teaches that we need to be true to ourselves. We should not engage in activities that lead us away from what we fundamentally want in our lives. We should learn to say no, with conviction and confidence.

3. Asteya – non-stealing, lack of jealousy

• Asteya tells us not to steal from others; this includes buying things that we don’t need just to have them. We should only take what we need.
  
• The other part of asteya teaches us to be content with what we have. There is no need to have or want something just because someone else has it. We should be happy with what we have and feel no jealously. 

4. Brahmacharya – moderation

• Brahmacharya teaches us the principle of moderation. Moderation means not having too much or too little of any one thing. Moderation helps us have a more virtuous and simple existence. 
  
• By applying moderation to our daily lives, we have more energy to devote to our spiritual journey. Brahmacharya is meant to help guide us toward enlightenment. 

5. Aparigraha – non-possessiveness

• Aparigraha means to be non-possessive, it can also be translated as non-attachment. Non-attachment is an important principle that we should cultivate in order to live happier lives.
  
• When we look at ourselves, we might find that we are hanging onto things that are no longer serving us. Perhaps it a relationship or material possessions. Let us remember that, “Attachment is the root of suffering.” We must let go of what we are holding onto so that we can move on and be free. 
  
• Lastly, one central teaching of yoga says, “Let your concern be with the action alone, and never with the fruits of action. Do not let the results of your action be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction.” When we are not attached to certain outcomes, relationships, or material possessions, we are freer to enjoy life and truly be happy. 
  

Stay tuned over the next 7 weeks as we delve deeper into the remaining 7 limbs!