Jumping right in, friends—today we’re working with Yoga Sūtra 2.29, where Patañjali gives us what is often considered the classic blueprint of yoga: the eight limbs of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga.
Yama-niyamāsana-prāṇāyāma-pratyāhāra-dhāraṇā-dhyāna-samādhayo’ṣṭāvaṅgāni
“Yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, and samādhi are the eight limbs of yoga.”
These eight limbs aren’t just philosophical fluff—they’re the framework, the structure, the entire arc of yoga as a path of inner transformation.
Now, in North America and much of the modern yoga world, we often hear yoga described in all kinds of ways—hot yoga, yin yoga, vinyāsa flow, hatha yoga, power yoga… But let’s get honest: almost everything we’re doing in yoga studios today falls under the umbrella of hatha yoga, and more specifically, it’s mostly āsana—the physical postures.
That’s okay! But Aṣṭāṅga Yoga—literally "the eight-limbed yoga"—also known as Rāja Yoga, or “the royal path,” offers so much more.
If we take it on as a holistic practice, yoga can support us in transcending so many of the mental and emotional challenges we face.
And true to his style, Patañjali first names the eight limbs here in 2.29, and then goes on to define each one in the following sūtras. So over the next few episodes, we’re going to flow into these limbs one by one.
Here’s a quick overview of each limb:
Yama – The ethical restraints; how we relate to others. This includes non-violence (ahiṃsā), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), moderation (brahmacarya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).
Niyama – The personal observances; how we relate to ourselves. These are purity (śauca), contentment (santoṣa), discipline (tapaḥ), self-study (svādhyāya), and surrender to a higher power (īśvarapraṇidhāna).
Āsana – Steady and comfortable posture, ultimately for meditation. But in today’s world, it also means creating strength, balance, and stamina in the body.
Prāṇāyāma – Control or expansion of the breath and life force. Prāṇa means life energy; āyāma means to extend, expand, or regulate.
Pratyāhāra – Withdrawal of the senses. The practice of bringing the mind inward, pulling it back from distractions. It’s about taking control of our attention.
These first five are often called the external limbs—they're the ones we can do something about directly. They're our tools, our techniques.
The final three are internal:
Dhāraṇā – Concentration. One-pointed focus. Holding the mind steadily on a single object.
Dhyāna – Meditation. A continuous flow of awareness toward that object.
Samādhi – Absorption. The merging of the meditator with the object of meditation. A profound state of unity.
These internal limbs aren’t something we do in the same way. They arise as natural fruits of deep, sustained practice.
Yoga, in this classical sense, is so much more than what we’ve reduced it to on the mat. It’s a pathway to wholeness. It’s about freedom—kaivalya. And it all begins here, with awareness and intention.
🙏 And if you want to explore this more deeply with us in real life, we’d love to see you at one of our retreats in San Pancho, Mexico.
Check out upcoming events at:
www.jefflichty.com/events
