The 8 Limbs of Yoga – A Guide to Empowered Living

Yoga, as we know it today, has evolved into a physical practice centred around asanas or postures. However, the essence of yoga is much deeper than just the physical. Patanjali, the great sage, laid down an eight-fold path to help individuals attain spiritual enlightenment, often referred to as the eight limbs of yoga. These limbs offer us a holistic approach to life, encompassing moral principles, self-discipline, physical well-being, and mental peace. It is almost an infallible framework to achieve the highest of human potential and beyond.

Yama (Ethical Guidelines)

The first limb, Yama, is all about ethical standards and integrity. It’s the foundation of living a harmonious life with others and the environment around us. There are five yamas, each guiding our behaviour:

Ahimsa (Non-violence)

It is about practising kindness and avoiding harming others in thought, word, or action.

Imagine you're driving in traffic, and someone cuts you off. The initial reaction might be anger, but practising ahimsa means choosing to remain calm and avoiding violent thoughts or actions, even when provoked. In daily life, it can also mean being kind in your words and actions, whether toward others or yourself.

Remaining calm, not only helps diffuse the situation but keeps you away from stress and anxiety, which in turn manifests in both physical and mental ailments.

Satya (Truthfulness)

It is about being honest in your communication with others and yourself.

Think of a situation at work where you're asked about the progress of a project. Being truthful (even when it's uncomfortable) and saying, "I'm behind schedule but working hard to catch up," reflects Satya. It builds trust and fosters authenticity in relationships. Not only does it prevent greater embarrassment on the due date, but at times, it also gets you the assistance you may need to get on track.

Asteya (Non-stealing)

Don’t take what isn’t yours, whether it’s physical property, time, or ideas.

Have you ever been in a meeting where you heard someone take credit for your ideas? Asteya encourages us to avoid taking what isn't ours—not just physically but also emotionally or intellectually. A person practising asteya would always give credit where it’s due. Is this not the foundation stone of leadership, giving the credibility to lead?

Brahmacharya (Moderation)

Practicing self-control, especially in desires and indulgences. This could mean living with awareness and respect for all aspects of life.

It is through moderation that the ills of excess are avoided allowing you to lead a balanced and aware life.

In our digital age, brahmacharya can mean moderation in the use of technology. If you find yourself endlessly scrolling through social media, practising brahmacharya might involve setting time limits to reduce distractions and create more balance in your life.

Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness)

Let go of the need to accumulate things. By being non-possessive, we create freedom for personal and spiritual growth. At the base of yogic thinking is the impermanence of the world, where holding on to anything can only cause pain and suffering.

Do you hold onto things you don’t need—whether it's material possessions or emotional baggage? Aparigraha is about letting go. For example, decluttering your home or giving away unused items to charity reflects non-possessiveness and creates space for what truly matters.

These basic values serve as a guide for ethical living and building the right attitude towards life and others. Following these guidelines reduces the conflict and noise of day-to-day life and gives us the freedom to focus on ourselves going forward which is the next step of Niyama.