Eight limbs of Yoga

The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which can be translated into “yoking” or “union.” When a yoga teacher in training learns the essence of this word, it is often taught that in yoga we are celebrating the union of our mind, body, soul, and spirit.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali—written around 400 CE—are required reading in every yoga teacher training. And as a yoga student at some point in our lives we will inevitably find ourselves led in a chant of Sutra 1.2 “Yogas citta-vritti-nirodhah” (Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind)—just as yoga students would have chanted 1,600-odd years ago.

Because of the ever changing nature of the mind we have endless desires. Our desires, needs, expectations, and forgetfulness all cause us to suffer. Yogis throughout time have pondered the question as to how we can transcend human suffering. Patanjali is no different. He created the Eight Limbs of Yoga as a template to help us transcend the confines of our ego and to reach self-realization.

Patanjali’s goal for us is that through these practices, we can still the mind and merge into oneness with the divine. When we awaken to divine essence, we are able to live fully from a place of authenticity. We are able to discern who we really are and what our purpose is. We don’t have to look to the exterior to determine right from wrong, all the answers are found within.