When we think of yoga, what usually comes to mind is the physical practice. People in a room together on sticky mats being led through a series of yoga poses.
About 6 years ago, I told my teacher I wanted to go deeper into my practice. And he handed me a copy of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I was confused. Where were all the poses?
About 6 years ago, I told my teacher I wanted to go deeper into my practice. And he handed me a copy of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I was confused. Where were all the poses?
That's when I first realized that as much as I loved what I had experienced in yoga so far, there was something more to this practice. That this practice was full and deep and could change my life.
Here are the 8 limbs of yoga. We don't need to tackle them all at once, they can unfold over time. We don't need to understand them all at once, our understanding can develop over time. And I will explore them here over time.
1. yamas (self-restraint)
2. niyamas (observance)
3. asanas (poses)
4. pranayama (breath work)
5. pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
6. dharana (concentration)
7. dhyana (meditation)
8. samadhi (contemplation/absorption)
So if you feel like you can't start yoga because you can't touch your toes, remember, yoga is about so much more than touching your toes. It is also about being kind and patient with yourself and getting to know yourself as you explore you capabilities, and maybe one day, with steady practice, touch your toes.
Here are the 8 limbs of yoga. We don't need to tackle them all at once, they can unfold over time. We don't need to understand them all at once, our understanding can develop over time. And I will explore them here over time.
1. yamas (self-restraint)
2. niyamas (observance)
3. asanas (poses)
4. pranayama (breath work)
5. pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
6. dharana (concentration)
7. dhyana (meditation)
8. samadhi (contemplation/absorption)
So if you feel like you can't start yoga because you can't touch your toes, remember, yoga is about so much more than touching your toes. It is also about being kind and patient with yourself and getting to know yourself as you explore you capabilities, and maybe one day, with steady practice, touch your toes.
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