Yoga Philosophy: Yoga Sutras – Part 1

Question 1

What is the foundation of how hatha yoga is being practiced today?

Answer 1

The Eight-Limbed path

Question 2

Ashtanga yoga literally means

Answer 2

“eight-limbed yoga“.

• ashta = eight
• anga = limbs.

(Do not confuse Ashtanga in this context with the Ashtanga Vinyasa system as developed by Pattabhi Jois.)

Question 3

According to Patanjali’s system, yoga is based on 8 spiritual practices.

Answer 3

According to Patanjali’s system, yoga is based on 8 spiritual practices.

Question 4

What are the 8 spiritual practices?

Answer 4

• Yama
• Niyama
• Asana
• Pranayama
• Pratyahara
• Dharana
• Dhyana
• Samadhi

Question 5

Explain the spirtual practice Yama:

Answer 5

Yama = universal ethical principles

Abstaining from harming others through wrongdoing, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, not wasting our energy, abstention from greed or hoarding.

Question 6

Explain the spirtual practice Niyama:

Answer 6

Niyama = rules of personal conduct.

Principles for our own daily lives, including purity or cleanliness, contentment, discipline, study, devotion

Question 7

Explain the spirtual practice Asana:

Answer 7

Asana = the practice of asanas

Seat or posture, yoga poses.

Question 8

Explain the spirtual practice Pranayama:

Answer 8

Pranayama = the practice of yoga breathing techniques.

Mastering and enlivening the life force.

Question 9

Explain the spirtual practice Pratyahara:

Answer 9

Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses

Inner reflection.

Question 10

Explain the spiritual practice Dharana:

Answer 10

Dharana – a willful concentration of the mind on one object.

Focused attention, one pointed concentration.

Question 11

Explain the spirtual practice Dhyana:

Answer 11

Dhyana – meditation

Meditation, continuous flow, a natural state where the mind becomes stable on one object without any effort.

Question 12

Explain the spirtual practice Samadhi:

Answer 12

Samadhi – Spiritual absorption

Freedom, liberation, enlightenment.

Question 13

Patanjali starts the Yoga Path with which of the spitual paths?

Answer 13

Yamas and Niyamas – an ethical attitude towards others and yourself.

Question 14

These two first limbs of Yoga are the base and very important limbs of Yoga. What are they?

Answer 14

Yamas and Niyamas

Question 15

Yama is your attitude towards others and the world around you. What are the 5 Yamas?

Answer 15

1. Ahimsa
2. Satya
3. Asteya
4. Bramacharya
5. Aparigraha

Question 16

Explain Ahimsa:

Answer 16

Non-violence.

This Yama does not only mean not doing harm to others in action, but thought and speech equally. Also it is not limited to non-violence against other human beings, but practicing kindness to other creatures (animals) as well as yourself.

Question 17

Explain Satya:

Answer 17

Truthfulness.

Satya is the Yama that is about living a truthful life without doing harm to others. Therefore, think before you speak and consider the consequences of your actions. If the truth could harm others, it might be better to keep silent. Also, it would entail living your own truth and not merely pleasing others throughout your life.

Question 18

Explain Asteya:

Answer 18

Non-stealing.

Non-stealing here not only refers to material objects but also the stealing of ideas, or other possessions.

Question 19

Explain Bramacharya:

Answer 19

Non-lust.

Bramacharya means divine routine, to move toward the essential truth. Historically, it was (and sometimes still is) translated as self-control and abstinence regarding sexual activity. However, at the same time it is known that many yogis had families and children. Thus it might be interpreted as moderation regarding giving in to our excessive desires.

Question 20

Explain Aparigraha:

Answer 20

Non-possessiveness.

This Yama is about living a life free from greed. It teaches us only to take what is necessary and not to take advantage of others.

Question 21

Niyama is how you treat yourself or your attitude towards yourself. What are the 5 Niyamas:

Answer 21

1. Sauca
2. Santosha
3. Tapas
4. Svadhyaya
5. Ishvara Pranidhana

Question 22

Explain Sauca:

Answer 22

Cleanliness.

This Niyama is concerned with inner and outer cleanliness. The practice of pranayamas, asanas, kriyas, and meditation are necessary to achieve inner cleanliness, of the body and mind. Also remain aware of outer cleanliness like the space you live in, the surroundings, and actually the whole of the environment.

Question 23

Explain Santosha:

Answer 23

Contentment.

Santosha refers to practicing humility, modesty and being at peace with what you have and who you are.

Question 24

Explain Tapas:

Answer 24

Austerity.

This Niyama teaches us to keep the body in good condition. Tapas is practiced through disciplining the body, speech, and mind like eating only when hungry and maintaining a good posture. Also, it is translated often as perseverance, not giving up too easily, especially on the spiritual path.

Question 25

Explain Svadhyaya:

Answer 25

Study of the sacred text and of one’s self.

This involves studying yourself and therefore anything that can help you on that path.

Question 26

Ishvara Pranidhana

Answer 26

Living with an awareness of the Divine.

This Niyama encourages us to let go of our false sense of the Self and control and to always be aware of a higher sense of consciousness that which gives us the sense of wholeness.