What is Lab?
- Michelle Rae Sobi
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
We meet weekly for lab...here's some topics we work on together.
EIGHT LIMBS OF YOGA — KNOWLEDGE BASE MODULE
Based on the Edge Handbook 2026 (Workbook pages 83–91)
🌿 Overview: The Eight-Limbed Path
According to the handbook, the eight limbs coined by Patanjali are:Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.Each plays a valuable role in the life of a yogi, offering structure for ethical living, inner awareness, embodied practice, breathwork, concentration, and ultimately meditation.
📘 Limb-by-Limb Student Reference
Each limb below includes the exact workbook prompts so students can reflect inside Slack or their journals.
1. Yamas — Ethical Conduct Toward Others
“Yamas are how you interact with others… social policies to aid a yogi in social interaction as a whole.”
Reflect:
• How can you apply it to daily life?
• What does it mean to you?
• What benefits come from practicing this?
2. Niyamas — Your Inner World
“Gaze inward to niyamas… the interaction with yourself. One’s thoughts, feelings, and vibrations shape the outer world.”
Reflect:
• How can you apply it to daily life?
• What does it mean to you?
• What benefits come from practicing this?
3. Asana — Postures & Embodied Practice
“Asanas prepare the body for meditation… There is no finish line. No right or wrong in yoga.”
Reflect:
• How can you apply it to daily life?
• What does it mean to you?
• What benefits come from practicing this?
4. Pranayama — Conscious Breathwork
“Powerful to marry pranayama with asana… shows the mind-body relationship.”
Examples mentioned:
• Ujjayi breath
• Alternate nostril breathing
• Breath cues in movement (Cow → Cat)
Reflect:
• Define it.
• How does breath change your practice?
5. Pratyahara — Withdrawal of the Senses
“Withdrawal from the senses, to truly go inward. Meant to prepare for dharana.”
Reflect:
• Define it.
• How does it help you turn inward?
• How might you use this in daily life?
6. Dharana — Concentration
“Remove all mental conflict by concentrating inward.”
Reflect:
• What does concentration feel like to you?
• What helps you focus?
• What distracts you?
7. Dhyana — Meditation
(Narrative follows the Dharana section in the workbook.)
Reflect:
• How does meditation land in your body?
• How does it shift your thinking?
• What does sustained awareness feel like?
8. Samadhi — Absorption / Bliss
Seen on Workbook page 91 in the handbook.
Reflect:
• What does peace mean to you?
• Where do you feel most connected?
• How do the previous limbs support this?
🧘♀️ Student Journal Prompts
The workbook includes these guiding questions for all limbs:
• Define each limb.
• Reflect on how the yamas and niyamas can affect your life experience.
• What roles do the asanas play in the 8 limbs?
• What does each limb mean to you personally?
These can be used in Slack reflections, journal uploads, or weekly check-ins.
Students enrolled in yoga teacher training are invited to DM Michelle in Slack, or if you are thinking about enrolling, send a CHAT here to begin a conversation. #edgeyogaschool #8limbsofyoga #yogateachertraining #yogaalliance
