The Eight Limbs Of Yoga

The eight limbs of yoga are the basics and core of yoga practice. The eight limbs was designed by the great sage Patanjali. He shared an eight-limbed path thousands of years ago that forms the basic framework of a yoga practice. The aim of the practice is that after a while, none of the elements will be worth more than another in terms of hierarchy.

The Eight Limbs are:

1. Yama – Universal Morality (there are 5 yamas; non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and non-hoarding)
2. Asanas – Posture of the body (dissolves tension, builds strength, eliminates toxins and increases circulation)
3. Niyama – Personal observations (5 niyamas; cleanliness, contentment, purification, sacred texts study and devotion)
4. Pratyahara – Controlling of your senses (touch, taste, see, smell and hear)
5. Pranayama – Breathing exercises (stops your breathing from becoming restricted, erratic or choppy in mood swings)
6. Dhyana – Meditation and devotion (dissolves separateness and creates peace)
7. Dharana – Concentration levels and awareness (creates a calm and still mind)
8. Samadhi – Unity (the goal of all yoga, creates a complete state of consciousness)

Start by practicing the first limb, then extend to the second, the third and so on. Eventually, when you get used to practicing and get good at these practices, you will have achieved all that Patanjali aimed for each person to achieve by doing so. However, in order to perform them correctly, you need to be able to focus, relax and clear your mind so that each practice (limb) comes naturally to you. Prepare to reach the height of your human experience!

Introduction To Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is something that not many people may have heard of, not even the people who steep themselves into the systems of alternative medicine however it is a system that has been around for many a years.

Hath yoga otherwise called hatha vidya is a method of yoga that was taught in the 15^th century by Yogi Swatmarama in the spiritual home of yoga India. The system finds its roots based on differing breathing exercises and in particular that of asanas and pranayama techniques.

Swatmarama started that this system of yoga was a stepping stone in the preparation stage of body cleansing so that the human body could then reach higher stages of meditation and yoga. It is believed that Hatha yoga gives the chance to become much more aware in yourself and life and that it goes much further than traditional  breathing exercises which are normally only for a healthy body.

Swatmarama taught that by using this type of yoga that you would not just be strengthen and purifying the body but you would also be working towards a healthy mind while promoting a body and mind connection. Much of the traditional models of yoga that are practiced nowadays have some link to this method of yoga making it one of the fathering methods for that which people undertake now.