The Path of Yoga: Exploring the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Eight Limbs

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, compiled by the sage Patanjali over 1,700 years ago, are considered one of the most authoritative texts on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Comprising 196 aphorisms—short, concise statements—the Yoga Sutras outline the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga), a systematic guide for living a yogic life and achieving spiritual liberation. This text is foundational in the Raja Yoga tradition, which emphasizes self-discipline, meditation, and mental mastery as essential tools for attaining inner peace and enlightenment.

The Third Limb of Yoga: Asana

Asana, often associated with the physical postures of yoga, is a fundamental practice that contributes to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It serves as the groundwork for the deeper practices of yoga, creating a solid foundation for personal growth and transformation. While most people are familiar with asana as the body postures performed in a yoga class, its significance stretches far beyond the physical.

Exploring the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Sutra 3.7

Our most recent exploration of the yoga sutras ends with sutra 3.7, which states, trayam antarangam purvebhyah: These three [dharana, dhyana, and samadhi] are more internal than the preceding limbs. Following last month’s sutra, also focused on the last three...

Exploring the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Sutra 3.4

Yoga sutra 3.4 states: trayam ekatra samyama: The three [dharana, dhyana, and samadhi] as one is called samyama. The last three limbs of the eight limbs of yoga are considered those limbs that happen naturally, whereas the first five limbs are actively...

Exploring the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Sutra 2.46

Yoga sutra 2.46 states, sthira sukham asanam: The posture for yoga meditation should be steady, stable, and comfortable. You may have heard this yoga sutra in class—at least in its English translation. The yoga postures are to be done with steadiness and ease....

Exploring The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Sutra 2.29

Yoga sutra 2.29 states, Yama niyamasana pranayama pratyahara dharana dhyana samadhi astau angani: The eight limbs of yoga are: yama (self-regulation), niyama (observances), asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana...

Exploring The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Sutra 1.14

Skipping ahead a few sutras to yoga sutra 1.14, which states, sa tu dirghakala nairantarya satkarasevito drdhabhumih: Practice that is done for a long time, without break and with sincere devotion becomes a firmly rooted, stable, and solid foundation. This is an...

Exploring The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Sutra 1.4

Building on the first three sutras, yoga sutra 1.4 states, Vritti sarupyam itaratra: When one is not in Self-realization, the Seer takes on the identity of the fluctuations of mind (thought patterns). That is, when we are wrapped up in our thoughts, unable to stay...

Exploring The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Sutra 1.3

Following up on yoga sutra 1.2 (essentially, yoga is the cessation of mind chatter), yoga sutra 1.3 states, Tada drashtuh svarupevasthanam: then the seer abides in itself, resting in its true nature, also known as self-realization. This sutra explains the...

Exploring the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Sutra 1.2

In yoga sutra 1.2, the second sutra of book one, Patanjali lays out the definition and purpose of yoga. Yogas citta vrtti nirodhah: yoga is the cessation of the modifications, or fluctuations, of the mind. This sutra gets right to the heart of why we practice yoga.

Inside The Yoga Sutras: The Keys to Peace (1.33)

“By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and disregard toward the wicked, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.”