The Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

The roots of Yoga can be traced back roughly 5,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization, where seals depicting people performing asanas (yoga postures) were used in trade along the river. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning to yoke, join or unite. It is the union of all aspects of an individual: body, mind and soul. Hence, Yoga reunites all opposites - mind and body, stillness and movement, masculine and feminine, sun and moon - in order to bring reconciliation between them. Yoga is one of the six branches in Indian philosophy and is referred to throughout the Vedas – the ancient scriptures of India. There is a legend that says that the knowledge of Yoga was first offered by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati and then passed on to the world.

Originally, yoga was passed on as an oral tradition reaching back unknown thousands of years. An unbroken lineage of gurus and disciples worked closely together to preserve and practice the sacred teachings, keeping the practices alive throughout the centuries.

The Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is considered the definitive work on traditional yoga, and is well known as the first ever written. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali dates back to around 1st and 3rd century A.D. In this classic, Patanjali articulates the yogic cosmology through 195 Sutras (threads, wisdom pearls). These sutras together form a tapestry of knowledge derived from many yogic traditions into a set of pity equations.

According to the Yoga Sutras, the ultimate aim of Yoga is to reach "Kaivalya" (freedom). This is the experience of one's innermost being or "soul" (the Purusa). When this level of awareness is achieved, one becomes free of the chains of cause and effect (Karma) which bound us to continual reincarnation.

In the 2nd and 3rd chapters of the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes a methodology for the practice of traditional yoga called the 'eight-fold path' or the 'eight limbs of yoga'. It is mainly the third limb of yoga, namely the practice of asanas (positions) that have become popular in the West. Most people assosiate yoga only with the exercise of asanas but is in reality so much more than that.

Patanjali describe 8 disciplines of yoga which must be practiced and refined in order to perceive the true self - the ultimate goal of Yoga. He uses the term Ashtanga Yoga which translates to the eight limbs of yoga.

First limb:Yama
Principles of right relationship to the world and universal ethics. Non-violence, non-harming, Awareness and gentleness in action, truthfulness, non-stealing. Ahimsa: non-aggression, non-violence; constructive thought and speech. Conflict and violence comes out of fear, anger, ignorance, restlessness, and selfishness. Ahimsa is practiced through compassion, love, understanding, patience, self-love, and worthiness. Satya: Be true to oneself. Acceptance rather than judgement of ones thoughts . Practicing honesty towards oneself provide the foundation for an honest communication with others. Practice of constructive feedback and actions, forgiveness, non-judgemental attitude and letting go of ones role playing (pretending to be someone rather than being yourself). giving constructive feedback and forgiveness.

Asteya: non-stealing; generosity; cultivate sense of completeness, self-sufficiency; letting go of cravings.

Brahmacharya: moderation; build up and preserve a high level of vital energy; channeling emotions, Stepping out of the overindulgence of mind (thoughts, intellect). Practising moderation on all levels; sex, food, activity, rest and all aspects of daily life. Aparigraha: Learning the art of non-attachment to material things and the outer world