The 8 Limbs of Yoga Practice
In Hatha Yoga we have the 8 limbs of Yoga Sutras (Chapters) of Patanjali.
It's a very systematic way to recognize the mind, to purify the mind, focus the mind and then ultimately learn how to subdue or silence the mind, so we get an expanded awareness and consciousness when our mind becomes quiet. So to understand Hatha, one must have a foundation understanding of Patanjali Eight fold path of techniques, designed to train the body, mind and senses for spiritual evolution.
The first limb holds the 5 Yamas, considered the great mighty and Universal vows to the practice on all levels, actions, words and thoughts.
Yamas - Personal Observances
Ahimsa - Non Violence ( Make non violence, the baseline for our decisions);
Satya - Truthfulness ( put every speech, act through the serve of truthfulness, use your words very carefully. "Do I really need to say that?", "How will I say this?", "How will my word give honour to the ultimate existence?"
Asteya - Non stealing ( How much feeds our greed instead of our need?)
Brahmacharya - Sense of control
Aparigraha- Neutralizing the desire to acquire and board wealth ( non possession or not take more than we need, that give us a place of freedom)
Niyamas - Personal Observances ( considered things to do, or observations, it comes along with a more positive way, the second phase of Yoga.)
Sauca - Purity / Cleanliness ( Purify, to clean yourself, to clean your thoughts, to be mindful, to eat pure food.)
Santosa - Concentration ( to develop concentration, to say let's appreciate every morning. Weather is cloudy day - we need the rain. It's a sunny day, how beautiful?!)
Tapas - Disciplined use of our energy, the idea is that it is difficulty that strengthens our character.
Svadhyaya - Self Study ( Sense of self cultivation through study)
Isvara Pranidhana - Celebration of the spiritual, to have an idea of something that is wonderful and a person that is wonderful, and as MAYA ANGELO said: To work every day at becoming our best self.
Yoga is a place where you come back to your true self, where breath, mind and body get connected as one, with a intention of being present and aware of your feelings, exploring yourself without judgments, coming to a place with heart and mind open, loving each step you take with kindness, because you are the journey, so make the ride be joyful - Suelen Oliveira
Yoga is beyond the Asanas ( postures), Yoga or any spiritual discipline should take you more and more inward, to understand and appreciate your own inner extraordinary nature.
The goal of yoga is freedom, freedom from the self, freedom from the burden of life.
Is a way of living, unless we learn to accept life as a whole, we haven't learned yoga.