What are the 8 Limbs of Yoga?
- Michelle Rae Sobi
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
The Eight Limbs Explained
8 Limbs of Yoga
(Lesson 1 — Edge Yoga School Educational Library)
🌿 Overview
The eight limbs of yoga, described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, outline the full path of yoga practice. These limbs are: Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.Each limb plays a meaningful role in the life of a yogi, supporting a journey toward awareness, compassion, discipline, and inner steadiness.
🕉️ History of the Eight Limbs
The Yoga Sutras present Ashtanga, meaning “eight-limbed” (Ashta = eight, Anga = limb). Tradition says Lord Shiva shared yogic wisdom with seven sages, who passed down their teachings through various schools of yoga. Patanjali later distilled these perspectives into the Sutras, creating a unified map of practice that we continue to study today.
🧘 The Eight Limbs Explained
1. Yamas — Restraints (How We Relate to the World)
Ethical principles guiding how we show up in community.
Ahimsa — Non-harming
Satya — Truthfulness
Asteya — Non-stealing
Brahmacharya — Non-excess
Aparigraha — Non-possessiveness
2. Niyamas — Observances (How We Relate to Ourselves)
Inner practices that shape our personal path.
Saucha — Purity
Santosha — Contentment
Tapas — Self-discipline
Svadhyaya — Self-study
Ishvara Pranidhana — Surrender
3. Asana — Physical Postures
Literally “to take a seat.”The practice of movement prepares the body for stillness.Asanas include standing poses, seated shapes, twists, backbends, forward folds, inversions, and lateral bends.
4. Pranayama — Breath Regulation
Prana = life forceAyama = expansionThe intentional regulation of breath enhances focus, clarity, vitality, creativity, and presence.
5. Pratyahara — Withdrawal of the Senses
“Turning inward” by softening external stimulation.This limb bridges the outer practices (Yamas–Pranayama) with the inner ones (Dharana–Samadhi).
6. Dharana — Concentration
Single-pointed focus.Binding the mind to one place, object, sound, or idea.This concentrated awareness naturally leads into meditation.
7. Dhyana — Meditation
A continuous flow of attention.While Dharana focuses attention, Dhyana is the state of being absorbed in that focus.It is spacious, quiet, and uninterrupted.
8. Samadhi — Integration / Bliss
The merging of subject and object.A state of deep inner absorption and unity.Described as the culmination of all limbs working together harmoniously.
🌸 Reflecting on Yamas & Niyamas in Daily Life
Here are ways the first two limbs support personal growth:
Ahimsa — Softening harshness toward yourself and others
Satya — Choosing honesty with compassion
Asteya — Respecting time, energy, and attention
Brahmacharya — Practicing moderation in all things
Aparigraha — Releasing grasping and cultivating generosity
Saucha — Keeping your inner and outer spaces clear
Santosha — Practicing gratitude and acceptance
Tapas — Staying committed to your growth
Svadhyaya — Knowing yourself deeply
Ishvara Pranidhana — Surrendering to something greater than your ego
🌱 What Role Does Asana Play in the Eight Limbs?
Asana is the third limb, but in modern yoga it is often the first doorway into practice. It strengthens and stabilizes the body so the practitioner can sit comfortably in meditation.It helps weave breath, movement, and awareness into a unified experience that prepares the mind for deeper internal work.
💬 Closing Reflection for Students
Consider one Yama or Niyama that currently resonates with you. How might it gently influence your choices, behaviors, or relationships this week?
Students enrolled in our program may send a Slack DM to Michelle or those interested in enrolling are invited to send a CHAT to begin a conversation.
