8 Limbed Path

Question 1

Yama

Answer 1

Strong willpower for restraint

Question 2

Niyama

Answer 2

Strong willpower for observation and application of truth

Question 3

Asana

Answer 3

Literally means “seat”
Physical and mental exercise, including postures
Helps us tread through life with mores steadiness and ease

Question 4

Pranayama

Answer 4

Transformation of individual energy (physiological and psychological) into cosmic energy
Prana = life force
yama = expansion, extension
By manipulating our breath, we learn to manage our energy more skillfully

Question 5

Pratyahara

Answer 5

Displacement and sublimation of psychic energy
Means withdrawal from the senses
Bridges the gap from the external to the internal
Energy and attention is directed inward toward the heart and mind
If you want to know your highest self, you can’t only look outward
If you don’t go within, you go without

Question 6

Dharana

Answer 6

Fixation of mind on various places, internal or external
We live in a busy world that pulls our attention in many directions, leaving us scatterbrained and unfocused
Through the practice of dharana we train the mind to focus on a single point for a prolonged period of time

Question 7

Dhyana

Answer 7

Sublimation of mind into being
Shifting out of judgement and into witnessing
Dhyana = meditation
In a true meditative state, the meditator is not aware of the actual act of meditating, only aware of the actual object of meditation
In a concentration practice, practitioner is aware of the choice to focus again and again on the object
To meditate, you must first learn to concentrate
Meditation is graceful while concentration is effortful

Question 8

Samadhi

Answer 8

Evolution of consciousness from individuality to universality
The experience of enlightenment and non-duality, the experience of yoga
sama = even, or same
dhi = intellect
State of complete equilibrium of the mind
You no longer experience yourself as separate from everything else, there is no separation, only love and oneness

Question 9

The 5 Yamas

Answer 9

"The five moral restraints": How you behave outwardly toward other beings
Ahimsa
Satya
Asteya
Brahmacharya
Aparigraha

Question 10

The 5 Niyamas

Answer 10

"The five observances": How you conduct yourself on a more personal level 
Saucha
Santosha
Tapas
Svadhyaya
Isvara Pranidhana

Question 11

Yama | Ahimsa

Answer 11

Non-violence
Minimize the amount of harm you are causing to others in thought, word, and deed by becoming aware of the ways in which you are causing suffering to others
Reason why many yogis are vegan or vegetarian
Pantanjali: “When you are established in ahimsa, others will stop harming you”

Question 12

Yama | Satya

Answer 12

Truthfulness
Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
Satya encompasses right speech, truthful communication, and skillful listening
Your words and deeds should always be in alignment with one another

Question 13

Yama | Asteya

Answer 13

Non-stealing
Do not take what doesn’t belong to you- this applies to material things but also means respecting other’s time, energy, and hard work
Showing up late to things all the time = stealing people’s time

Question 14

Yama | Brahmacharya

Answer 14

Moderation
Discourages overindulgence in many things, including food and sex, as obsession with these things causes you to lose sight of what is truly important in life

Question 15

Yama | Aparigraha

Answer 15

Non-hoarding
Develop sensitivity to what you really need
What we try to possess ends up possessing us
As long as you are lusting after the next great thing, you will always have a sense of lack
Let go of your attachment to things, people, outcomes

Question 16

Niyama | Saucha

Answer 16

Purity, cleanliness- can be practiced on a number of levels
Clean environment and living space
Clean body- clean diet, well kept appearance, good hygiene
Clean mind- consider the quantity and quality of the information you are inputting on a daily basis and be selective about what you consume intellectually (books you read, shows you watch, etc)
Clean company- spend time with people you uplift your spirits and inspire you to be your best self

Question 17

Niyama | Santosha

Answer 17

Contentment, gratitude
Look to yourself and your own innate goodness for happiness-that’s the only place you’ll truly find it
Also means being present, rather than wishing for things to be different in your life, accept and appreciate the reality of what is
I have enough. I am enough.

Question 18

Niyama | Tapas

Answer 18

Self-discipline
Transform yourself in the fire of positive change
Tapas means heat, and it refers to the discomfort that comes from breaking habitual thought and behavioral patterns to effect positive transformation in your life
Discomfort is a necessary step toward the change you are seeking

Question 19

Niyama | Svadhyaya

Answer 19

Self-study
Be aware of your actions as they are happening and reflect on them later
Use those reflections to make positive changes to your actions in the future

Question 20

Niyama | Isvara Pranidhana

Answer 20

Devotion to a higher power, surrender, faith
Give your life force energy to something higher than yourself
Letting go of doubt and making room for faith

Question 21

Yoga

Answer 21

Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind
Yoga is clear, discerning, dynamic participation in one’s life
Yoga is the experience of lacking nothing
Yoga is the realization of oneness of being, the experience that we are all one

Question 22

The eight limbed yogic path

Answer 22

Step-by-step path toward the realization of yoga, or union, with the universal self