Yoga Sutras of Patañjali

The 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga

According to the “father of Yoga” Maharishi Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, there are 8 limbs, or steps, to reach inner balance and peace. These are called Asthanga Yoga. In Sanskrit “Ashta” refers to the number 8 and “Anga” means limb or body part.

In each one of these steps we find several tools and techniques that are used in Chakra Healing Counselling.

You might be familiar with steps 3 and 4 – asana and pranayama. But let’s look at each one of these steps since they all play an essential role in our healing process.

The first 2 steps –Yama and Nyama- are known as the VOWS OF YOGA.

1.YAMA – Restraints to adjust our attitudes or way of looking at the world and at ourselves. There are 5 Yamas:

Ahimsa: non-violence through actions, thoughts and words against others and ourselves;
Satya: truthfulness and honesty with ourselves, with our relationships and with our community;
Asteya: non-stealing, not only things, but also energy, time, etc;
Brahmacharya: right use of our energy (away from external desires and towards internal peace/happiness);
Aparigraha: non-greed and non-attachment in our lives.

2.NIYAMA – Observances or duties directed towards ourselves. There are 5 Niyamas:

Saucha: cleanliness of both body and mind;
Santosha: contentment or accepting and appreciating what we have;
Tapas: Self-discipline, passion and courage;
SWADHYAY: self-study or self-reflection;
Isvarapranidaha: surrender to a higher reality.

To strive for a strong healthy body, full of vigour, vitality, energy and enthusiasm and for this Patanjali prescribes:

And the 3 last step focus on how to gain control over thoughts and feelings in all life situations:

6. DHARANA – contemplation;

7. DHYANA – steadiness of the mind;

8. SAMADHI – bliss or enlightenment.