Yoga is more than movement; it’s a way of being.
We often come to yoga through the body. A pose, a class, a mat unrolled in search of strength, relief, or calm. And while the physical practice is a powerful entry point, it’s just one part of a much broader path.
At its heart, yoga is about union: body, mind, and spirit. It’s a lifelong practice that invites more awareness, compassion, and presence into how we move through the world.
So how do we go deeper? How do we understand the why behind the poses?
Enter the 8 Limbs of Yoga: an ancient framework from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali that offers timeless, practical guidance for living well. You don’t need to be a scholar or seasoned practitioner to explore them. Whether you’re new to the mat or seeking deeper meaning beyond it, this guide is for you.
1. Yama: Ethical Restraints
The yamas are principles for how we relate to others. They remind us that yoga doesn’t stop when we leave the mat. It extends into our words, choices, and interactions.
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Ahimsa – Non-violence
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Satya – Truthfulness
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Asteya – Non-stealing
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Brahmacharya – Moderation
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Aparigraha – Non-possessiveness
These aren’t rigid rules, they’re invitations to live with more intention, kindness, and integrity.
Try this: Practice ahimsa in conversation by speaking kindly to yourself and others, especially when tensions rise. As you move through your day, bring awareness to how your thoughts, words, and actions land on the mat and off.
Practice ahimsa (non-violence) by choosing patience in traffic, or satya (truthfulness) by honoring how your body feels in practice, even if it means modifying a pose. Notice how non-violence in words can shift the energy of a moment.
2. Niyama: Personal Observances
While the yamas look outward, the niyamas guide us inward. They support personal growth, self-discipline, and inner peace.
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Saucha – Cleanliness
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Santosha – Contentment
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Tapas – Discipline
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Svadhyaya – Self-study
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Ishvarapranidhana – Surrender
Through the niyamas, we build the internal conditions to feel steady, clear, and connected (both on and off the mat).
Try this: Start your morning with a short journaling practice (svadhyaya) to check in with your thoughts and intentions for the day. Ask yourself how you're feeling today—physically, mentally, emotionally. This moment of self-study creates space to listen to what your body truly needs and choose how to move through the day with greater care, clarity, and intention.
3. Asana: The Physical Practice
This is where many of us begin. Asana refers to the postures of yoga, but it’s more than just movement. It’s a way to build presence. Through physical practice, we develop strength, flexibility, and resilience. We also prepare the body for stillness, which is essential for deeper inward work.
Try this: In your next practice, approach each posture as a conversation with your body, not a performance. Instead of pushing for depth, explore alignment, breath, and subtle sensation. Notice where you can soften, and where you can linger.
4. Pranayama: Breath Control
Breath is life. It’s the thread that links the body to the mind. With pranayama, we learn to regulate the breath to steady the nervous system, expand awareness, and tap into our vital energy (prana). Even just a few mindful breaths can shift your state of being.
Try this: Before a meeting or stressful moment, take a few rounds of dirga pranayama (three-part breath). Inhale slowly into the belly, ribs, and chest, then exhale fully in reverse. This simple breath practice creates space for clarity, calm, and presence (on or off the mat).
5. Pratyahara: Sense Withdrawal
This limb invites us to turn inward, not by shutting the world out, but by softening our attachment to constant stimulation. In a world that pulls our attention in every direction, pratyahara helps us find our center again.
Try this: Take a quiet moment during your day. Step away from your screen, close your eyes, and turn your awareness inward. Notice sounds and sensations without attaching to them. Observe your breath. This small pause is a powerful practice of pratyahara and is an opportunity to reconnect, reset, and return to yourself.
6. Dharana: Concentration
Dharana is single-pointed focus. Whether on the breath, a mantra, or a candle flame, it’s the practice of training the mind to stay present. Over time, this builds mental clarity, reduces overwhelm, and lays the groundwork for meditation.
Try this: Choose a simple mantra to repeat silently during your practice or meditation: something like “I am here” or “Let go.” Each time your mind drifts, gently return to the words. This practice builds concentration and helps train the mind to stay present.
7. Dhyana: Meditation
Where concentration becomes continuous, meditation begins. Dhyana is a state of spacious, effortless awareness. It’s not about clearing the mind but settling into presence, again and again.
Try this: Find a quiet seat at the start or end of your day. Instead of focusing on breath or mantra, simply sit and observe. Let your thoughts, sensations, and breath arise and fall naturally. The goal isn’t to control or direct, just to be fully present with what is.
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8. Samadhi: Union
The final limb, samadhi, is often described as a state of oneness, of complete absorption, where the boundary between self and the world dissolves. It’s not a goal to chase, but a state that arises naturally through devoted practice. In samadhi, the practitioner experiences deep peace, clarity, and unity with all things.
This may sound distant or abstract, and for many, it is. But rather than a finish line, think of samadhi as a reminder that yoga is ultimately a path of connection. Even the smallest glimpses—moments when you feel fully alive, deeply present, or profoundly at peace—can echo this deeper state.
Try this: Reflect on a time when you felt completely in the flow, fully immersed in nature, held in silence, or lost in movement. While not samadhi in the traditional sense, these moments can hint at the profound stillness and unity that yoga invites us toward.
Living Yoga, Every Day
You don’t need to leave your everyday life behind to begin. Yoga meets you where you are.
Start with the breath.
Choose kindness.
Be curious.
The 8 Limbs offer a map, but the journey is yours.
