The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Explore Patañjali’s Eightfold Path

Yoga is an ancient practice that links body and breath through movement and meditation. The practice has been around nearly 5,000 years but was more formally outlined around 400 to 500 BCE in the Yoga Sutras, a yoga text by writer Patañjali. The word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root word yuj, meaning to yoke, join, or unite, which is reflective of the practice’s primary focus: binding together the breath, body, and mind.

In the modern world, yoga encompasses various practices, each utilizing its own combination of breathing exercises, postures (also known as “asanas”), and meditations to improve the mind, body, and spirit. Some of the most popular types of yoga in the United States include Vinyasa or Flow yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Kundalini yoga, Restorative yoga, Hatha yoga, and meditation yoga.

Patañjali, an Indian sage often considered the “father of modern yoga,” synthesized the ancient teachings into the Yoga Sutras, 196 verses outlining yoga philosophy and practice. These teachings were designed to help practitioners develop a more meaningful and purposeful life and eventually came to define classical yoga, also referred to as Ashtanga yoga (“Ashta” is the Sanskrit word meaning “eight,” and “Anga” means “limb”). The following list breaks down the eight limbs of yoga in the order laid out by Patañjali’s teachings:

1. 1. Yamas: There are five Yamas, also called moral imperatives, or external disciplines in the practice of yoga. The first Yama is Ahimsa, the practice of nonviolence: one must not harm other living things in daily life. The second Yama is Satya, or truthfulness. One must always be truthful in both their thoughts, words, and actions. The third Yama is Asteya, or non-stealing, which pertains to the concept of not taking what isn’t yours. Brahmacharya is the fourth Yama and centers around celibacy, chastity, or fidelity in a relationship. The last Yama, Aparigraha, is centered around non-possessiveness and releasing feelings of jealousy or greed. Each of these Yamas contributes to a person’s individual growth and development, leading to increased unity between the mind, body, and soul.
2. 2. Niyamas: Niyamas are observances every practitioner must follow, like keeping a clear and pure mind, or Saucha. Santosha is the feeling of contentment within one’s self and the acceptance of others. The third Niyama is Tapas, and centers around self-discipline and perseverance. Svadhyaya is the fourth Niyama and involves self-reflection and introspection—or self-study. The last Niyama is Ishvarapranidhana (sometimes spelled Isvara Pranidhana), or dedication to a god or master. These words are open to interpretation and can also include a guru, teacher, or whoever helps the yogi tap into the higher power of their spiritual experience.
3. 3. Asanas: Asana, meaning “posture” or “pose,” is a reference to the comfortable, seated position one takes during their yoga practice (over the years, this word has expanded to include the various types of yoga poses as well). Most yoga beginners start with this third limb of yoga, getting right into yoga’s physical practice before addressing the important mental aspects. However, it’s important to address all the yoga limbs to get the most out of the practice.
4. 4. Pranayamas: Pranayama breathing, also known as yogic breathing, is a form of breath control essential to yoga and mindfulness. “Prana” comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “life force,” while “Ayama” means “stretching.” Pranayamas are breathing techniques that help readjust our focus, clear our minds, and calm our bodies, using different combinations and patterns of inhalations and exhalations to help center ourselves.
5. 5. Pratyahara: Pratyahara, the fifth limb of yoga, involves closing the mind to the external world, drawing our awareness inward, and encouraging transcendence or withdrawal of the senses. In this limb, focus shifts from the outer body to the inner body and allows us to regain control of our minds.
6. 6. Dharana: In Dharana, breathing is focused on a single point, sometimes the navel or a mental image. Dharana requires firm concentration and can involve the use of a mantra for a more pointed focus. The goal of Dharana is to bind your consciousness to one particular object, place, or idea. This single-object meditation can focus on an internal thought or an external object around you in the outside world.
7. 7. Dhyana: The seventh limb of yoga is about contemplation, or meditation. During this practice, the mind can begin to block off external distractions and experience awareness without judgment. Learn more about Dhyana in our complete guide.
8. 8. Samadhi: The eighth limb of yoga is when mind and body become one. During Samadhi, the yogi’s mind is fully absorbed in the yoga meditation, essentially merging every aspect of the practice to achieve a sense of enlightenment or unity.

Proper form and technique are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of a yoga practice. If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before practicing yoga. Yoga poses may be modified based on your individual needs.

Unroll your mat, get a MasterClass Annual Membership, and get your om on with Donna Farhi, one of the most celebrated figures in the world of yoga. Follow along as she teaches you the importance of breathing and finding your center as well as how to build a strong foundational practice that will restore your body and mind.