Stages Of Yoga


Stages of Yoga 

Astanga Yoga described by Patanjali Yoga Sutra explains 8 Limbs of Yoga which we can describe as 8 stages of Yoga 

8 Limbs of Astanga Yoga 

Yama 

Universal Moral Commandments . Social Discipline . Set of Donts 
  1. Ahimsa (non violence). Respond to challenges If someone provokes then respond 
  2. Satya (truth ) Integrity of words and action. Sincerity and transparency in words thoughts and action .
  3. Asteya (non stealing)  Avoiding Misuse of Power. Bad Management 
  4. Brahmacharya (continence) Total focus on self expansion and self realisation . Purity of attitude . Self restraint , puposfullness , spiritual development of society. 
  5. Aparigraha (non -coveting) Non Possesiveness , Absense of greed and non hoarding this beyond need.

Niyama 

Self Purification by Discipline. Individual Discipline , Set of Do's .
  1. Saoucha  : Purity of Mind and body. The practice of asanas tones the entire body removes the toxins and impurities caused by over indulgence Pranayama cleanse and aerates the lungs , oxygenates the blood and purify the nerves.cleansing of impurities in mind 
  2. Santosha : A mind that is not content cannot be concentrate. Contentment in life. 
  3. Tapas : Derived from word tap means blaze. It means burning effort under all circumstances to achieve a definite goal in life. Involves purification , self descipline, austerity. 


  1. Svadhyaya : Education of self .Study of Scriptures . Quest for knowledge. Greatly rooted in the most fundamental existence of every being, 
  2. Iswarparidhana: Surrender to devine. Doing once duty well and offering it to the Iswar (Lord) Surrender complete acceptance of the present as Prasad. Lets us give more than that we receive.

Asana 

Posture of Body. Physical body posture for Strong and healthy development of body. State of complete equilibrium of body mind and spirit.  The Yogi frees himself of from physical disabilities and mental distractions by practicing asanas. 

Pranayama 

Rythmic control of breath. Pranayama is the science of Inhalation and Exhalation. 
Inhalation is termed as Puraka (Filling UP )
Exhalation is termed as rechaka (emptying the lungs )

Retention and holding the breath is called Kumbhaka 

1 Breathing is hold after full inhalation : Antara Kumbhaka 
2. Breathing is hold after full exhalation : Bahya Kumbhaka 

Prana means breath , respiration , life , vitality , wind , energy , or strength . It also the soul in the body, Ayama means length , expansion , stretching or restraint. 
Thus Pranayama is extension of breath and its control. 

Pratyahara 

withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses and exterior object. 
Control of sense from objects of desire. 
In hindu philosophy the Gunas as 

1. Sattva (the illuminating, pure or good quality), which leads to clarity and mental serenity. 
2. Rajas (the quality of mobility or activity), which makes a person active and energetic, tense and wilful, and 
3. Tamas (the dark and restraining quality), which obstructs and counteracts the tendency of rajas to work and of sattva to reveal. 

Dharana 

concentration your mind . Focusing on a point 
When the body has been tempered by asanas, when the mind has been refined by the fire of pranayama and when the senses have been brought under control by pratyahara, the sadhaka reaches the sixth stage called dharana. Here he is concentrated wholly on a single point or on a task in which he is completely engrossed. The mind has to be stilled in order to achieve this state of complete absorption.

Dhyana 

meditation . Defocusing of mind . 

Samadhi 

a state of super conciousness brought about by profound meditation in which the individual aspirant becomes one with the object of his meditation - Parmatma or the universal spirit .

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