Patanjali yoga sutras

Ashtanga yoga was founded by Patanjali as the practical implementation of Samkhya philosophy. It is referred to in the Bhagavat Gita was one of the paths to liberation and true self-realisation. Patanjali is the founder of yoga as we know it. However, Lord Shiva is the Adiyogi; the creator of yoga. Patanjali compiled all the learnings to make them accessible and to provide us with the way to live them. This is why he is known as the founder of modern yoga.

Yoga which comes form the Sanskrit word ‘yug’ translates to union. The union of the mind, body, soul and surroundings. To help us control our senses and the impact of the Prakrit on our purush he sets out ashtanga yoga (the 8 limbs of yoga that are to be practiced to help free the self).

This philosophical school teaches mental and physical discipline methods. It is the concept of emancipating Purusha from Prakriti via self-awareness and body-mind discipline. The Yoga philosophy is based on Sankhya. Yoga philosophy can be found in the Upaniṣads like the Sankhya Philosophy.

One of the first verses in the yoga sutras by patanjali is “yoga Chitta-Vritti-Nirodha”.

This translates to “yoga controls and ceases of the fluctuations of the mind, known as chitta-vrittis. The goal is to achieve a state of stillness and clarity in the mind through the practices of Yoga, leading to self-realisation and liberation.

The 8 limbs of yoga are pillars to help you on the path of realisation and union. When mind, body, soul, planet not connected there is internal conflict. We have all been in that position before where we have something on our mind but don’t physically act on it or say it, it then swirls inside us and can cause conflict. When our actions and thoughts don’t align we can feel the discomfort and dissatisfaction.

The goal of yoga is to look after our mind, body, soul and surroundings by bringing them into harmony. It’s about creating balance and harmony for us to connect with our true selves.

This is the basis of yoga practice as we know it. Yoga has become famous for it’s downward facing dog, but there is much more to it than just the poses. Patanjali believed that yoga was a way of life that we could all follow.

The 8 limbs of yoga (ashtanga yoga) as explained by Patanjali:

1. Yamas - social, ethical disciplines that include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-excess, and non-possessiveness.

2. Niyamas - personal disciplines that include purity, contentment, discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher power.

3. Asana - Physical postures practiced to develop stability, flexibility, and balance in the body. Asanas are commonly associated with the practice of Yoga in modern times.

4. Pranayama - Breath control exercises that regulate and expand the breath, cultivating prana (life force energy) and enhancing the connection between the body and mind.

5. Prathyhara - Withdrawal of the senses from external stimuli, redirecting attention inward.

6. Dharana - Concentration or focusing the mind on a single object or point of focus.

7. Dhyana - Meditation or the uninterrupted flow of awareness towards the chosen object of meditation.

8. Samadhi - The ultimate state of Yoga, where the practitioner experiences oneness with the object of meditation and achieves a transcendent state of consciousness.