Day 3: The 8 Commandments of Yoga (Lindsay)

According to the Bible of Yoga, a.k.a. the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, there are 8-limbs or paths for the aspiring yogi. These are as follows.

1. Yamas, the Don'ts
1. Ahimsa, or Non-violence
Besides the obvious do not hurt or kill, this includes non-violence in word and thought. Don't say or think destructive things to others and yourself included.
1. Satya, or Truth
Have integrity. Stand for something.
2. Astaya, or Non-stealing
This can include stealing time, attention, and resources. Wastefulness is stealing from the future.
3. Bramachaya, or Moderation
Everything in moderation. This is not about asceticism or abstinence; it's about protecting the sacredness of things we enjoy.
4. Aparigraha, or Non-Possessive
This doesn't mean we don't care or don't live deeply with feeling; it's about fully appreciating the moments and people in your life.


2. Niyamas, the Do's
1. Saucha, or Purity
Hygiene and cleanliness is a form of mindful living and respect for our environment. By bringing order to things we can see more clearly. There are some interesting yogic hygiene techniques, including oil pulling, sun-gazing, and saline nasal rinse.
2. Santosha, or Contentment
"People in the West are always getting ready to live" - What are you looking for? Life is right now, even in the mundane. Appreciating this can make even boring tasks fun.
3. Tapas, or Discipline
The the combined heat of discipline, courage, and determination that you need to make yourself into something.
4. Suadhyaya, or Self-Study
Notice what you feel, what provokes your feeling, don't suppress it. Journal, reflect, and meditate. Notice that others are a mirror for ourselves - what we dis/like in other people is what we dis/like in ourselves.
5. Ishvara Pranidhama, or Surrender
Don't try to control or do everything. Accept that you can't control everything.


3. Asanas
Physical exercise to quiet the body. Then you can focus on exercising the mind.

4. Pranayama
Connection with breath. Breathing techniques. Ex. Kapalabhati - deep inhale, exhale in sharp breaths by drawing in the belly multiple times

5. Pratyahara
Sensory deprivation. Play with sensory input. Exercise: wear earplugs and go walk in a park

6. Dharana
Single-pointed concentration. Examples: drishti, trataka, mantra.

7. Dhyana
Merging with the moment. Having a meditative state always.

8. Samadhi
Bliss consciousness, divine union.

We've all experienced these states, but the yogi seeks to achieve each state consciously, with purpose.