The Eight Limbs of Yoga
One of the many texts that guide our practice includes The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which offers an approach that has 8 limbs:
Taken together, these limbs constitute the Ashtanga (8-limbed) path, which makes it clear that there is so much more to yoga than fitness and exercise. You can find a lot of writing and commentary about these 8 limbs, and there are many different ways practitioners engage in this path.
Opportunities abound for you to practice Asana, so we have set the intention to round out what is available by building a schedule that is more balanced and inclusive of the other limbs. Wherever your practice leads, we support you finding what you need to thrive, heal, and grow.
- Yamas, values that guide our behavior toward others
- Niyamas, principles that help us form inner habits to support us in our practice
- Asana, postures we use to explore and invite steadiness and ease in our physical bodies
- Pranayama, breath practices that support our ability to uncover a quality of breathing that is quiet, smooth, even, and effortless
- Pratyahara, the ability to move one's sensory awareness inward and away from outer distractions
- Dharana, a state of single-pointed focus and concentration
- Dhyana, the practice of contemplation, reflection, and meditation
- Samadhi, a state of full, integrated, equanimous consciousness
Taken together, these limbs constitute the Ashtanga (8-limbed) path, which makes it clear that there is so much more to yoga than fitness and exercise. You can find a lot of writing and commentary about these 8 limbs, and there are many different ways practitioners engage in this path.
Opportunities abound for you to practice Asana, so we have set the intention to round out what is available by building a schedule that is more balanced and inclusive of the other limbs. Wherever your practice leads, we support you finding what you need to thrive, heal, and grow.
