8 Limbs of Yoga (Breaking it Down)

Question 1

The 1st of the eight limbs. Considered to be the ethical disciplines and way of behaving.

Answer 1

Yama (the 1st of the 8 limbs of yoga)

Question 2

What are the five yama of social conduct for the first limb of yoga?

Answer 2

Ahimsa
Satya
Asteya
Brahmacharya
Aparigraha

Question 3

Non-violence against the enviroment, oneself or others, in thoughts or actions. (This extends to the unsuitable use of yoga postures and pranayama, or breath)

Answer 3

Ahimsa (Yama)

Question 4

Truthfulness with others and within ourselves. This demands that we look deeply into ourselves and find out who we really are.

Answer 4

Satya (Yama)

Question 5

Non-stealing, not taking advantage of one’s trust. (In asana “practice of physical postures” practices do not rob one part of the posture to improve the another, for example do not go so deep into a posture that you cannot breathe properly).

Answer 5

Asteya (Yama)

Question 6

Moderation, care to not overindulge, restraint, responsible behavior. Also refers to abstinence. Nothing is positive in excess not even in asana or postures.

Answer 6

Brahmacharya (Yama)

Question 7

Non-greed, or non-grasping. Taking only what is necessary.

Answer 7

Aparigraha (Yama)

Question 8

Are the codes of personal conduct and self-observation. This is the 2nd limb of yoga.

Answer 8

Niyama

Question 9

What are the five niyama?

Answer 9

Saucha
Santosha
Tapas
Swadhyaya
Isvarapranidhana

Question 10

Cleanliness. This is both referring to personal hygiene and to keeping clean surroundings.

Answer 10

Saucha

Question 11

Contentment. Have a positive attitude about your surroundings and situations.

Answer 11

Santosha

Question 12

Austerity and discipline. This also refers to taking a positive attitude about the “mundane tasks” that need to be done.

Answer 12

Tapas

Question 13

Self Study. This includes learning through new experience and spirtual reading.

Answer 13

Swadhyaya

Question 14

Devotion to the divine or higher power. Pantanjali does not mark this as any one particular religious belief, rather to an surrender to the divine within each of us.

Answer 14

Isvarapranidhana

Question 15

The third limb. Refers to the physical practice of postures. It is the yogic belief that the body must be maintained to allow openness to a spiritual connection. It is a preparation for meditation.

Answer 15

Asana

Question 16

The fourth limb. Refers to the movement of the breath (life force energy) and is the directed regulation and observation of length and duration of inhalation and exhalation.

Answer 16

Pranayama

Question 17

The fifth limb. Refers to detachment for the senses. This sensory withdrawal allows us to turn the focus inward.

Answer 17

Pratyahara

Question 18

The 6th limb. Refers to concentration. This concentration along with Pratyahara is the precursor to dhyana (meditation). This is about opening the awareness of the mind to bring balance to the mind body connection.

Answer 18

Dharana

Question 19

The seventh limb. Refers to meditation. In meditation we bring our focus to one point while still maintaining awareness of all else around us. Meditation can be difficult for those who are easily distracted. It is best to practice this task in an open and quiet environment.

Answer 19

Dhyana

Question 20

The eigth limb. Refers to a state in which we are completely at peace. It is a surrender to and union with the divine, it is transcendence of the self.

Answer 20

Samadhi