The Eight "Limbs," Steps, or Stages of Yoga

According to the Yoga-sutra (YS)

(see YS 2.29)

  1. restraints (yama)
  2. constraints (niyama)
  3. asanas (yogic postures)
  4. breath control (pranayama)
  5. withdrawal of the senses (pratyahara)
  6. concentration (dharana: 1st stage of meditation and "conscious power," samyama, which also includes the 7th and 8th limbs)
  7. meditation proper (dhyana: 2nd stage)
  8. mystic trance (3rd stage, samadhi, the supreme personal good)

STAGE 1

Restraints:

3. asteya NON-THEFT

1. ahimsa NON-INJURY

4. brahmacarya SEXUAL RESTRAINT

2. satya TRUTHFULNESS

5. aparigraha NON-ACQUISITIVENESS

STAGE 2

Constraints:

3. tapas ASCETICISM (e.g. fasting)

1. saucya CLEANLINESS

4. svadhyaya SELF-STUDY (in the light of one’s preferred wisdom text)

2. santosa CONTENTMENT, SELF-ACCEPTANCE

5. isvara-pranidhana RELATING TO ONE’S HIGHER SELF OR GOD

STAGE 3: ASANA

goal: to be able to sit easily and steadily in meditation (sthiram sukham)

STAGE 4: PRANAYAMA

goal: to gain deep conscious control of breathing and harmony between breath and mind

STAGES 5 - 8: MEDITATION

occult processes of increased power over body & mind

FINAL GOAL: SELF-AWARENESS