I mentioned these briefly last night, and wanted to post them for you, ultimately for you to know that yoga is so much more than just asana! Kendall
The 8 limbs of yoga come from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an ancient text reportedly written between 400 and 200 B.C.! They encompass the evolutionary process for the spiritual path, with an intent to guide the seeker to achieve balance of body, mind and spirit, ultimately Realization of who we are (- which, from their prospective is “vast, unwavering, always present, and full of peace”) As I mentioned, they are woven throughout our yoga classes, and traditionally been included in all styles of yoga. They begin with the Yamas and Niyamas, basic, universal codes for behavior and daily life. They are:
1.The YAMAS:
Ahimsa- Non-harming
Satya- Truthfulness
Asteya- Non-stealing
Bramacharya- Moderation
Aparigraha- Non-possessiveness
2.The NIYAMAS:
Saucha- purity
Santosh- Contentment
Tapas- Willfullness, Self-discipline
Svadhaya- Self reflection, study
Ishvara Pranidhana- Connection and dedication to our source of life
3. ASANA- “a state of being” Postures
4. PRANAYAMA: Breathing Practice
5. PRATYHARA: Turning Inward Withdrawal of the Senses
6. DHARANA: Concentration
7. DHYANA: Absorption (meditation)
8. SAMADHI: Realization !
As you probably know by now, there are many ways to approach a yoga practice, and your own intent, that is, remembering what it is that brings you to the practice is very, very important. As I was taught, we may adapt our practice to meet our needs through the various stages of our life and 3 basic Stages:
SUNRISE: In this stage Asana may be predominate, such as the physically vigorous practices, to help develop a healthy, strong, flexible, balanced body and mind to support what we need for our life work.
MID-DAY: Here Asana and Pranayama practice come together, to continue to develop, support and maintain our health and vitality, each equally important. This is the longest stage of life for most of us.
SUNSET: In this stage we are not as physically active, generally retired, and Pranayama, as well as prayer and devotional practices become dominant parts of our practice.
Our life spans as are lengthening, with more and more of us living to be 100! In Yoga we are offered developmental, maintenance, therapeutic and transformational practices. Tools for us to find out who we are, and live our lives with purpose, vitality, and ultimately long lasting happiness.
The 8 limbs of yoga come from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an ancient text reportedly written between 400 and 200 B.C.! They encompass the evolutionary process for the spiritual path, with an intent to guide the seeker to achieve balance of body, mind and spirit, ultimately Realization of who we are (- which, from their prospective is “vast, unwavering, always present, and full of peace”) As I mentioned, they are woven throughout our yoga classes, and traditionally been included in all styles of yoga. They begin with the Yamas and Niyamas, basic, universal codes for behavior and daily life. They are:
1.The YAMAS:
Ahimsa- Non-harming
Satya- Truthfulness
Asteya- Non-stealing
Bramacharya- Moderation
Aparigraha- Non-possessiveness
2.The NIYAMAS:
Saucha- purity
Santosh- Contentment
Tapas- Willfullness, Self-discipline
Svadhaya- Self reflection, study
Ishvara Pranidhana- Connection and dedication to our source of life
3. ASANA- “a state of being” Postures
4. PRANAYAMA: Breathing Practice
5. PRATYHARA: Turning Inward Withdrawal of the Senses
6. DHARANA: Concentration
7. DHYANA: Absorption (meditation)
8. SAMADHI: Realization !
As you probably know by now, there are many ways to approach a yoga practice, and your own intent, that is, remembering what it is that brings you to the practice is very, very important. As I was taught, we may adapt our practice to meet our needs through the various stages of our life and 3 basic Stages:
SUNRISE: In this stage Asana may be predominate, such as the physically vigorous practices, to help develop a healthy, strong, flexible, balanced body and mind to support what we need for our life work.
MID-DAY: Here Asana and Pranayama practice come together, to continue to develop, support and maintain our health and vitality, each equally important. This is the longest stage of life for most of us.
SUNSET: In this stage we are not as physically active, generally retired, and Pranayama, as well as prayer and devotional practices become dominant parts of our practice.
Our life spans as are lengthening, with more and more of us living to be 100! In Yoga we are offered developmental, maintenance, therapeutic and transformational practices. Tools for us to find out who we are, and live our lives with purpose, vitality, and ultimately long lasting happiness.
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